This weekend the third round of the European Le Mans Series took place on the brilliant Red Bull Ring in Austria. ProSpeed Competition was at the start with their Porsche 911 GT3-R entered in the GTC class, manned by the Frenchmen Mike Parisy and Gilles Vannelet and the promising young Dutchman, Max Van Splunteren. Following four hours of intense racing the trio finished in sixth place in this edifying GTC class, notwithstanding a puncture, and was also the best Porsche representative in the class bringing together GT3 cars. Unfortunately after the finish the team received a 30 seconds penalty (15” exceeding driving time), relegating them to 8th place.

When it comes to endurance racing in Europe the European Le Mans Series are once more the top reference in this discipline. The starting grids are excellent and of a high quality whilst the competition remains extremely intense, with hard fought battles for positions. The heat this weekend at this wonderful Red Bull circuit made it a difficult assignment for the teams and drivers, because both man and machine had to dig far deeper into the power resources with temperatures in excess of 40° on the track. Under these conditions ProSpeed Competition drove an almost faultless race, apart from a minor race incident, which resulted in a puncture losing them almost one lap. Notwithstanding this setback the Belgian Porsche 911 finished in an excellent sixth place, whereas under optimal conditions a top-4 would have been on the books.

Rudi Penders (ProSpeed Competition Team Principal)

“It was all down to that puncture following a race that could not have gone better. Apart from Mike Parisy’s swift integration, in fact a thoroughbred professional, the entire team is also delighted with the perfect international debut of Max Van Splunteren, who just to remind you is a mere 18 years old. He arrived here I presume with quite a few questions, but he produced perfect work. He worked along with the team for the preparatory work during the timed laps and during the race he was constantly at the wheel, registering some excellent lap times and stayed clear of any problems. He did exactly what the team had asked him to do. Max perfectly fits into ProSpeed Competition’s tradition, whereby young talented drivers are given the opportunity… and who grab it with both hands. I’m looking forward to our further collaboration.”

Mike Parisy (Driver – #75 ProSpeed Competition Porsche 911 GT3-R – Cat. GTC)

“It was truly intense and the extreme heat did not make our assignment any easier. In that light I have a great deal of respect for my teammates, an experienced gentleman driver and a young lion, who in the final phase made it possible for me to grab sixth place.”

Gilles Vannelet (Driver – #75 ProSpeed Porsche 911 GT3-R – Cat. GTC)

“It was a heavy double stint, but I was able to manage my pace and make up ground. Unfortunately I was nudged twice by another GTC Class competitor, and this resulted in a puncture. We lost almost one lap, because apart from the additional pit stop you also lose time on the track”