Extremely demanding, tricky race weekend for SVK by Speed Factory Racing at the Autódromo do Estoril, where the European Le Mans Series season finale took place. SVK by Speed Factory Racing´s trio came 4th at the Portuguese venue. It was a big effort by Dalius Steponavicius´ team as engineers and mechanics had to overcome new suspension package set-up issues.
The European Le Mans Series came to an end on Portuguese soil last weekend with SVK by Speed Factory Racing playing a leading role. The Ginetta-Nissan LMP3 entered by Dalius Steponavicius´ outfit was second in both drivers´ and teams´ classifications but finally the Valencia-based team couldn´t secure the vice-championship as the British-built cars struggled with new suspension package. Besides, changeable weather conditions were another big headache for the teams.
Saturday´s rain-hit first free practice session came to an early end when strong winds brought out the red flag. Konstantin Calko, Jesús Fuster and Dainius Matijošaitis took fourth spot in LMP3 class by setting a lap time of 1:57.224. Later in the afternoon, second free practice was carried out in dry conditions with SVK by Speed Factory Racing´s trio finishing fourth again in the timesheets.
Precisely, when one imagined that things couldn´t get any worse, qualifying session took place in mixed conditions on Sunday morning. As the team only got the suspension changes from Ginetta immediately before the meeting and due to ELMS testing was cut short by rain on Saturday, Calko couldn´t improve a best lap of 1:57.052 to take fifth in class on the starting grid.
When the race got underway, Calko made a brilliant opening stint, moving up to third in LMP3 class on lap one. Then, on lap five he overtook Gaëtan Paletou for second before running wide but still retaining third place despite losing twelve seconds. Latvian driver handed over to Fuster on lap thirty-six before a major storm hit the track. Both Fuster and Matijošaitis were running in fourth delivering strong performances in changeable weather conditions and finally Calko got back in the car for the final stint and charged to finish fourth. Although fourth place wasn´t good enough to secure vice-championship, SVK by Speed Factory Racing still managed to finish 3rd in the championship behind both Ginetta factory-entered cars. Without doubt, a brilliant result on their debut in the most competitive prototype series in Europe.
Now, Speed Factory Racing already sets sights on Ligier LMP3 shakedown next 26 October, taking place at Paul Ricard HTTT.
Dalius Steponavicius (Team manager of SVK by Speed Factory Racing): “Portugal race weekend was big disaster for us. The suspension changes, what we got from factory just before race weekend made big impact in car handling. We couldn´t setup car in the wet condition for FP1 and, as a result, our car was not enough good in dry conditions in FP2. We find solutions just before race improve car candling and Konstantin´s pace was same as race leaders. After rain start conditions on the track was very difficult and for Jesús and Dainius was impossible to be in leading pace. Then we take decision to finish race in safe manner and enjoy our 3th place in championship.”
Konstantin Calko (Driver of SVK by Speed Factory Racing): “We all reach highs and lows and this time it was our worst result. It was so excited race with a lot of fiery moments, but we couldn´t manage to fight for better result. On one hand we had a good setup for dry conditions, but when the first rain drop appeared – everything ruined. Anyways I’m very happy to be 3rd in the championship. ELMS is a great platform, high-leveled series which I would like to race again and again. It’s a true spirit of Le Mans. Thank you all those supported me, my family and sponsors. Now is time to start working on 2016 project!”.
Established by Lithuanian rally driver, Dalius Steponavicius, in 2008, Speed Factory Racing Team was most successful team in Radical Masters series with wins of driver´s title in 2008, 2009 and 2012 and they are looking to bring that success with them to ELMS.