Training for the 24 hours of Le Mans, Matech Competition started the 1000 km of Spa from 2nd and 6thpositions. Marc VDS Racing scored the pole position, so the first row of the GT1 category was 100% Matech Ford GT’s! Thomas Mutsch, who was quickest with the Matech Ford GT n°60, started the race from 2nd position and Swiss driver Rahel Frey from 6th place.
After a difficult start because of the rain and a safety car, Thomas and Rahel did two stints in unsettled weather. The weather conditions trapped more than a driver in the first few laps of the race, generating several safety car and yellow flag periods. Matech drivers settled in 1st and 3rd position after one hour of the race, the drivers of the Matech Ford GT’s no 60 and 61 avoided the traps despite a wet track and debris.
After 2 hours, a general power failure across the region forced the circuit director to stop all the cars under a red flag. Parked on the start finish straight, Jonathan Hirschi, who had taken over from Thomas Mutsch on the Matech Ford GT no 60, and Yann Zimmer, having relieving Rahel Frey in no 61, just had to be patient during a long wait.
After forty minutes of uncertainty, the track of Spa Francorchamps in peaceful silence, was finally able to find the magic of the race! After three hours, Matech’s Ford GT’s were in 2nd and 4th positions.
With the race re-launched, the drivers of the two Matech Ford GTs had to be patient and effective by consistently lapping to catch up their opponents. Mathias Beche took the steering wheel of Matech Ford GT no 60 and Cyndie Allemann of 61 to end the race in 2nd and 3rd positions!
The Matech Competition team could not have dreamed about a better weekend thanks to the 1,2,3 podium completed by the victory of Matech’s customer team Marc VDS Racing with first at the 1000Km of Spa in a Matech Ford GT. The race of 1000 km of spa, has been a real test for Matech Compétition, and we hope this is a good omen for the 24 Heures du Mans in June.
Team Manager Martin Bartek: “I am really a fulfilled man, three of the cars built in our workshops are on the three steps of the podium at the 1000Km of Spa – for the first time race it is simply fantastic! It also proves that the work of the engineers and the mechanics of a customer team is as good as a manufacturer’s one. The fact that our partner Marc VDS won the race proves that the product is reliable and competitive. The orders given to the drivers were: stay safety, don’t take risks, and to push just enough – they completed their duties 100%”!
Matech Ford GT1 no 60
Thomas Mutsch : “This was a very good result for Matech, with the MarcVDS car winning, and with the whole podium filled by Matech Ford GTs. We know that cars are good for 1000Km races now. I’m happy to finish in 2nd place here in Spa. I think we will be well prepared for Le Mans next month. For me, my double stint was quite tricky after the start with the safety car, and the rain so I took it quite easy for the 2 hours. I already had in my mind we have the next race in only 2 weeks time in Brno and the guys have a lot to do to get the cars ready”.
Jonathan Hirschi : “For my first race in LMS it is really good to end with a podium. I made the middle stint, without taking the start or making the finish but I learnt a lot about the traffic because it is not easy to make fast laps being passed and then passing. I began to get acquainted well with the car, it was really a positive weekend, I am satisfied”.
Mathias Beche: “We can be really satisfied by the final result, the team made a great job Thomas and Jonathan made a magnificent job. I thank all the Matech Competition team for having relied on me and of their professionalism. The weekend was perfect, it was my first race in GT1 and moreover on this track, which I know a little bit even if I have good memories here. I adapted fast, I was consistent, my fastest laps improved all weekend and with some more progress then I hope to have answered the requirements of Martin Bartek. Naturally, everybody thinks of 24 hours of le Mans and I hope to be there”.
Matech Ford GT1 n°61
Yann Zimmer: “First of all I wish to thank Martin Bartek for having relied on me this weekend because I have only 9 races in my career. Racing for a 1000 km race in a GT1, is really exceptional for a young driver. It is a very good result to finish 3rd. I learnt as quickly as possible and made the best of the kilometers, hoping for a race close to my home in June, in Le Mans! It was a great weekend, everything was prepared well and it has been a great opportunity for me to be here and to have the trust of Martin Bartek and the team. It is really something exceptional”.
Cyndie Allemann: “The team did an incredible job to get the car prepared so well for our first endurance race, we made it to the end with no problems, the car was great to drive and with good balance.For my stint I’m pleased to have kept lapping and improving lap after lap. It’s a shame that Natacha cannot be here with us today, but will we wait for her at Le Mans.
Rahel Frey: “I echo Cyndie’s thanks to the team for making the car perfect for us. This is my first long distance race, and although it was hard it is a great experience and preparation for Le Mans. There is lots more work to do, and I cannot wait for Le Mans”.
Source : Matech Competition