Silver for Christian Merli in Spain

Christian Merli behind the wheel of his Osella FA 30 Judd LRM finishes 2nd overall at the 52nd Subida Internacional al Fito north of Oviedo in Spain, the second round of the European hill climb championship. The best two of the three race runs were added up for the final classification.

Christian’s comment
“I was certain that I’d done better in the third race run. I pushed hard, even though in some sections I had to wait before accelerating because I’d been too fast coming into a corner. I’m second by 0”770. I wanted to do well, because in practice and in the first race run I’d been ahead of Schatz, but this is all I have. I content myself with the victory in Group E2-SS. Now we’re travelling 500 km to Braga in Portugal for the 43rd Rampa da Falperra next Sunday.

Practice
On Saturday, with 20 degrees and sunny skies, the Scuderia Vimotorsport driver achieves the best time in the first practice run on the Spanish 5.350 km track, followed by local driver Iraola Lanzagorta (Nova NP 01) and Frenchman Geoffrey Schatz (Nova Proto NP01 Turbo). In the second session Christian also finishes first, with Schatz 1”287 behind and Kevin Petit (Revolt 3P0) 8”588. In the third session Merli is again fastest.

Race day
In the first race run the reigning European champion confirms his lead, outpacing Iraola Lanzagorta by 4”258 and Schatz by 4”258. The race consists of three runs, of which the best two are added up for the final classification. In the second race run Schatz wins before Merli (0”211 behind) and Iraola Lanzagorta. In the third race run, the French driver is 0”559 ahead of Christian.

Podium
1st Schatz (Nova Proto NP01 Turbo), 2nd Merli (Osella FA 30 Judd LRM) 0”770 behind, 3rd Iraola Lanzagorta (Nova NP 01) 3”683 behind.

Translation by Ruth Scheithauer