NEWS

FIA GT1 2011: Sachsenring Preview

This weekend the 2011 FIA GT1 World Championship travels to the Sachsenring in Germany for the first-ever visit by an FIA GT Championship.  Some of the drivers competing in the GT1 World Championship have experience of racing on the 3.7km circuit in other series, but the sheer power of the GT1 cars should provide some spectacular entertainment for the large crowd that is expected for the event.

In Round 3 in Portugal the JR Motorsport Nissans were the dominant force, with Richard Westbrook and Peter Dumbreck leading their teammates Michael Krumm and Lucas Luhr for a team 1-2 in the Qualifying Race. Jamie Campbell-Walter and David Brabham, in the Sumo Power Nissan, finished in 3rd to give the Japanese manufacturer the first ever 1-2-3 in the FIA GT1 World Championship.  In the Championship Race, Dumbreck retired after the pitstops but Krumm took the chequered flag to complete a dominant weekend for Nissan.

Five manufacturers are represented on the GT1 grid this season, Aston Martin, Corvette, Ford, Lamborghini and Nissan, with two teams of two cars for each marquee.  The performance of the cars is balanced by the FIA to ensure close, action packed racing for each of the 60-minute races.

The Corvette teams consist of Exim Bank Team China and DKR Engineering.  Dutch pairing of Mike Hezemans and Nicky Catsburg had a strong showing in the opening round and followed this up with a second place finish in the Qualifying Race and a fighting 5th in the Championship Race.  Matteo Bobbi has replaced Jaime Camara in the DKR Engineering Corvette but he or Michael Rossi have yet to score and the Luxembourg team will be hoping for better luck in Germany.