http://www.gt4cup.com/ Official news feed webmaster@gt4cup.com webmaster@gt4cup.com 2008-07-05T20:21:20+02:00 en Copyright © 2008 gt4cup.com webmaster@gt4cup.com daily 1 2008-07-05T20:21:20+02:00 http://gt4cup.com/images/gt4cup.gif http://www.gt4cup.com/ Official news feed http://www.gt4cup.com/newsitem.php?key=74 Michael Mallock set the best time in both qualifying sessions, his best being 1:38.203, giving him the pole position for all three races at Oschersleben this weekend. "I got double pole,", says Mallock, "so that’s three starts from the front which is good. We knew we were going to be in pretty good shape, particularly after the first qualifying where we had a good advantage. The race is going to be good, the Nissan’s very quick and it’s going to be quite tight."In that Nissan, the nr 14 RJN Motorsport Nissan 350Z will be Alex Buncombe, who managed to get the 2nd best time in both sessions, his best time being 1:38.318. "I nearly got pole. I’m still learning the track. Still, I’m pleased I went over a second a lap faster in the second qualifying than the first one. So I found some time, and I know there’s more to come. I hope I can give Michael a good run for his money in the race."Jürgen Van Hover, in the nr 3 Speedlover Aston Martin N24, and Guino Kenis, in the nr 6 G&A Motorsport BMW Z4, set the 3rd best times in the 2 sessions, with 1:39.581 and 1:39.234 respectively.In the Sports Light category, the nr 101 Reiter Engineering KTM Xbow was fastest both times, its best time being 1:40.553. frontpage 2008-07-05T15:03:31+02:00 http://www.gt4cup.com/newsitem.php?key=73 For the second GT4 free practice session the sun decided to show through the clouds. The session was another calm one, with only the nr 16 VDS Racing Adventures Mustang FR500C leaving the track, but managed to rejoin. Mallock dominated this free practice in his nr 32 RS Williams Aston Martin N24, setting the first best time of 1:39.815, four minutes into the session, beating the fastest time in the first session. 2008-07-04T17:45:28+02:00 http://www.gt4cup.com/newsitem.php?key=72 For the first GT4 session of the weekend, the weather might have looked threatening, but we had a dry free practice, with no incidents.Eric de Doncker set the fastest lap of the session, with 1.40.535, in the nr 1 Motorsport98 Mustang FR500C. Klaus Engelhorn’s nr 8 Jetalliance Aston Martin N24 set the second best time with 1:40.674, followed by the nr 32 RS Williams Aston Martin N24, driven by Michael Mallock, with a time of 1:40.724. Alex Buncombe’s best time of 1:41.029 gives him 4th best time overall. 2008-07-04T15:38:01+02:00 http://www.gt4cup.com/newsitem.php?key=71 After double pole in Silverstone was followed by a big crash, Michael Mallock claimed his first points in Monza in the RS Williams Aston Martin N24.  However, he is looking for more in Oschersleben. “It was good to get some points at Monza but it wasn't enough! We had problems all weekend after I damaged a damper on the curb in the first free practice, and then another in Q1.  Unfortunately Prodrive couldn't supply spares so we struggled from there on in. Oschersleben is going to be a new circuit for me, but I've been studying onboard footage from the Chevrolet WTCC Cars so I have a rough idea which way to turn!  I think the circuit will play more to our favour than Monza, certainly we will be more on the pace of the Mustang without all the straights.  I'm feeling confident about scoring more points and closing the gap to Eric.” 2008-06-29T22:17:09+02:00 http://www.gt4cup.com/newsitem.php?key=70 Eric de Doncker goes to Oschersleben in the lead of the GT4 European Cup.  The Belgian driver, who claimed a first win at the track last year. “ I think that Oschersleben will be more difficult than Monza; Guino Kenis should be very fast with the BMW Z4, and very difficult to beat, and as usual the Aston Martin N24 cars will be very fast.  But I will be out to defend my lead !  I want to score as many points as possible towards the Championship, as my primary objective is to the retain the title. The races will be very close and very competitive, and I hope there will be plenty of fair play !” 2008-06-29T22:14:35+02:00 http://www.gt4cup.com/newsitem.php?key=69 The GT4 European Cup will be returning to Oschersleben next weekend, bigger and better than it was in its inaugural season in 2007.  The new format for this season was tested for the first time in Monza, and proved a great success, despite the torrential rain which fell during the longer, 50-minute race on the Sunday afternoon.After two meetings and five races, reigning Champion Eric de Doncker has taken a strong lead in the points classification.  The Belgian, driving a Mustang FR500C, won two out of the three Monza races, and finished second in the other.  His nearest rival is his fellow countryman Jurgen van Hover, whose Speedlover Aston Martin N24 took its first win in Monza.  In third position, is Jetalliance driver Klaus Engelhorn, who has finished consistently in the points, with his team-mate Nikolaus Mayr-Melnhof one point behind.  Guino Kenis, in the G&A Motorsport BMW Z4, is lying fifth. In the Sports Light category, Dennis Retera has a narrow lead over Catarina Felser, with Christopher Haase third.  The KTM X-Bow, entered by Reiter Engineering, put in a fine performance in the Monza downpour, with Retera and Haase finishing third overall in the long race. frontpage 2008-06-27T23:07:52+02:00 http://www.gt4cup.com/newsitem.php?key=68 SRO Motorsports Group is pleased to announce its first franchise agreement, giving Circuit Zandvoort, promoter of official series in the Netherlands the right to run a Dutch GT4 Championship. The new Championship was successfully launched on June 24th at Circuit Zandvoort, in front of over 80 people, including representatives of manufacturers, importers, interested teams and members of both the general and specialised press.  A number of GT4 cars were on display, and later lapped the track, including the Mustang FR500C of reigning European GT4 Cup winner, Eric de Doncker.Click to read the full press release from SRO Motorsports Group 2008-06-25T09:50:42+02:00 http://www.gt4cup.com/newsitem.php?key=67 Lotus Sport, the performance division of Lotus Cars Ltd, has announced that it is developing a striking GT4 specification Exige eligible to compete in the 2009 SRO-promoted European GT4 Cup, subject to completing homologation.This car builds upon the development of the Lotus Sport Exige Cup range and 2006 Championship winning GT3 Exige to provide an extremely competitive package.A document outlining the technical specifications of the car is available for downloadAll interested teams/parties should contact Russell Gibbons on 00 44 (0) 1953 608507 or alternatively email rgibbons@lotuscars.co.uk or your nearest approved Lotus dealer. 2008-05-22T17:59:14+02:00 http://www.gt4cup.com/newsitem.php?key=66 Eric de Doncker made it two out of three this weekend in Monza, winning the first GT4 'endurance' race in his Motorsport98 Mustang FR500.  The Belgian was delighted with his weekend in Monza, as with one second place and two wins, he has taken the lead in the Championship points.André Grammatico finished in second place in the 50-minute race, which took place in the pouring rain.  His BMW Z4 finisihed 13 seconds behind the Mustang.In third place was the nr 101 KTM X-Bow, the leading Sports Light car, in an excellent result for the new car.  Dennis Retera and Christophe Haase put in a perfect race despite the conditions.Jurgen van Hover, in his Aston Martin N24, was third in GT4, finishing ahead of the second Sports Light car of Catharina Felser.  Raphael van der Straten was an excellent fourth in GT4 in his Mustang.Eric de Doncker was the 'Silver' driver of the meeting, while Raed Charawi was the leading Bronze driver after a very consistent weekend.  He was delighted with his trophy.In the Teams classification, Motorsport98 have taken a narrow lead over Jetalliance.On to round three in Oschersleben ! 2008-05-18T20:22:30+02:00 http://www.gt4cup.com/newsitem.php?key=65 Another exciting GT4 race saw Eric De Doncker take his first victory of 2008, crossing the finish line with a comfortable lead of 13 seconds after a wet race in Monza.  His Mustang FR500 finished ahead of the Aston Martin N24 of Michael Mallock and the BMW Z4 of Guino Kenis - three makes on the podium ! 2008-05-18T12:26:14+02:00