The second weekend of the ADAC GT Masters series was held in Belgium between 10th and 12th May, 2013. Races 3 and 4 of the “League of the dream sports cars” took place on the traditional circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, and team rhino’s Leipert participated with a change of driver teams.
Eduard Leganov and Fabian Hamprecht (starting no. 22) were behind the wheel of one of the two Lamborghini Gallardo FL2 cars. A new team colleague, Frank Schmickler, raced in car no. 21 in Spa together with Peter Kox.
After the mechanical set-up of the Lamborghini was decided during free practice, it was already clear that the two 30 minute-qualifying races would be difficult. Eduard Leganov (Czech Republic) and Fabian Hamprecht (Hagen) were on starting positions 27 and 24. Frank Schmickler (Cologne) and Peter Kox (Netherlands) were on positions 22 and 10.
In race 1, the famous weather of the Ardennes showed itself from its unpleasant side. All was still fine at the start at 12:30 h, but shortly before the pit-stop window, there was a heavy shower which flooded the 7.004 km long racing circuit. Schmickler/Kox started from position 22 and moved up to a good position 13. Also, duo Leganov/Hamprecht, who is fighting for a place in the amateur rankings, improved from position 27 to 24; and all this during their third race, which, by the way, was once again broadcast by TV-channel “Kabel Eins”. Fabian Hamprecht said: “As complete amateurs, we are always learning something new, and we are fighting strong professionals here.”
In race 2 on Sunday, the German-Dutch driver duo Schmickler/Kox confirmed its good performance and got its first point for the professional team from Wegberg in its Lamborghini with “rhino’s cherry acai”-colour in a thrilling race and at first under difficult conditions in more famous rain. At times, the duo was even on position 9 and had lovely duels, but in the end it settled for position 10. The second Lamborghini Gallardo FL2 in “rhino’s classic”-colour and start driver Fabian Hamprecht gained position 15 during the first half of the race. As a result, Hamprecht proved his excellent performance as the youngest driver of the racing weekend; but once more, the amateurs showed that they have learned a lot in this strong competition.
Team Manager, Ingo Leipert, explained: “With professional driver Peter Kox, who essentially participated in the development of the Lamborghini Gallardo GT3, as well as with the support of Reiter Engineering, the team proved once more this weekend that the car is optimally set, and that the results from the previous racing events of the ADAC GT Masters series were not due to the performance of the Lamborghini. Now, we must find a solution with all involved parties to get a grip of the yet remaining problems which do not stem from the vehicle as soon as possible. Despite all the difficulties, we claimed points for the first time at this early stage of the season.”
In four weeks time (07 – 09 June, 2013), the ADAC GT Masters continues. Then, the “League of the dream sports cars” meets on the roller coaster course of the Sachsenring located just outside Chemnitz. The team, however, is en route to the Slovakiaring this week – they are going to the next racing event of the DMV TCC with driver Fabian Hamprecht.
Source : rhino’s Leipert Motorsport