In a turbulent race on the Grand Prix circuit at Spa-Francorchamps Wolfgang Kaufmann secured victory in his class at the 1000 km race.

 
Together with his team mates Luca Moro and Steve Zacchia, the man from Molsberg now leads the points standings. After an accident from Luca Moro in practice, it did not seem as if the three drivers would have a successful weekend ahead of them: “Luca went off the track on the exit of Eau Rouge, at Radillon, and the impact in the barriers was severe. A wishbone pierced the monocoque; the team decided to completely rebuild the car overnight, as the original monocoque was beyond repair”, says Kaufmann.

 
In order to give Luca Moro the necessary track time after his accident, the Italian drove throughout most of free practice and the warm-up: “We concentrated on the set up for the 1000 km race.”

 
Switzerland’s Steve Zacchia started the race for the team from fourth place in class, and during the difficult initial stages of the race – with two Safety Car periods – was able to bring the Formula Le Mans car further ahead. While he handed the car over to Luca Moro, another bizarre incident changed the course of the weekend: A power cut in the whole pit building meant that Timing & Scoring was no longer operational, and therefore the race was halted for about fifteen minutes.

 
After the restart, Kaufmann/Moro/Zacchia fought with the team of former Formula 1 winner Thierry Boutsen for the class lead for several hours; at the end of the 6 hour race, the trio had the upper hand over the other team. Kaufmann is happy with their work: “After such a weekend, you can be completely satisfied with your performance. On Friday evening, it was touch-and-go whether we would be in the race or not, on Sunday evening we have won it and are points leaders! Steve and in particular Luca have done great work. Add to this the team’s ireless effort, and we have well deserved this win.”

 
Now Wolfgang Kaufmann moves on to the Nürburgring, where next weekend a drive with the Vulkan Racing Dodge Viper in the 24 Hour race is on the agenda.

Source : Wolfgang Kaufmann