Austrian Sportscar driver Niki Lanik has been joined by a new driving partner for the fourth round of the 2009 FIA GT3 European Championship.  Lanik, who hails from Vienna but lives in England, will race the #12 Prospeed Competition Porsche 911 with FIA GT driver Marco Holzer in the two 60-minute races at the Autódromo Internacional Algarve in Portugal.

This weekend is the 22-year-olds first visit top the new Portuguese circuit but quickly adapted to the tricky 4.7km circuit in the two 60-minute practice sessions before taking to the track in the first 20-minute qualifying period.  The busy track caused Lanik problems and he was unable to get a clear lap before his tyres went off.  However he qualified in 16th place, out of twenty seven starters, and is the top Porsche for the first race which takes place at 10:30 on Sunday 13 September.

 
Niki Lanik said: “I did test here in April, which did help a little bit.  I was a little disappointed in the result when we qualified 11th and 16th as we did think we would get into the top ten.  It is good that we are first of the Porsches as am I currently second in the Porsche Cup and this is the main focus at the moment. I think this is more of a Ford or Viper circuit as we are down on speed on the long straights but we are very good through the tight bends.  The goal in the races is to be the top Porsche and some championship points.”

 
In the second qualifying session Marco Holzer qualified in 11th overall, and was once again the lead Porsche, for the second race of the day.

Source : Niki Lanik