Blancpain GT Sports Club - Round 2 - Brands Hatch Main Race

Broniszewski doubles up with Brands Hatch Main Race win

Michal Broniszewski made it two wins from as many Blancpain GT Sports Club races at Brands Hatch today thanks to another dominant performance in this afternoon’s Main Race. Meanwhile, Stephen Earle saw off Martin Lanting’s challenge to claim his first Iron Cup victory.

It was business as usual for Broniszewski who, after again retaining his lead from pole, quickly scampered into the distance en route to a 22-second victory over Karim Ojjeh, who at least denied the Kessel Racing driver fastest lap of the race.

Broniszewski’s dominance ensured all eyes were once again on the fight for the remaining podium places. Vandierendonck picked up a position at the start and initially also looked like passing AF Corse’s Patrick Van Glabeke for second. However, it was not long before Ojjeh had recovered his composure after losing a spot at the start and reeled in the Corvette. And when the C6 ZR1 GTE ran wide at Paddock Hill Bend the BMW M6 GT3 was in prime position to take advantage.

For a while the three cars circulated together before Van Glabeke and Ojjeh edged clear together. But despite being never more than a second apart the latter was unable to mount a meaningful challenge for second.

With 14 minutes remaining a Full Course Yellow period gave Ojjeh the chance he had been waiting for. The Boutsen Ginion Racing driver reacted quicker than Van Glabeke when green flags signalled the end of an admittedly brief caution, gifting him a second place he would retain until the chequered flag.

An equally entertaining battle for fourth place developed further back when Vandierendonck fell into the clutches of championship leader Cordoni, who had charged through from 16th on the grid, and Alexis De Bernardi. The trio ran as one for a time before Vandierendonck was handed a drive-through penalty for overtaking under yellow flags.

De Bernardi, who had already been overtaken by Cordoni, then repaid the favour with a classy move down the inside at Paddock Hill Bend to seal fourth.

Coach McKansy’s Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 completed the top-six, one place clear of first-time Iron Cup winner Stephen Earle. The American’s path to victory was aided by Jan Brunstedt’s early race issues and Martin Lanting starting 19th after spinning into Qualifying Race retirement. The reigning class champion undoubtedly had the pace to win but ran wide into the Clearways gravel on his first attempt at passing Earle.

He recovered from also swiping the barrier to finish second in the Iron Cup and eighth overall, one place ahead of Vandierendonck who was demoted to ninth in the final classification after failing to serve his drive-through penalty.

Gilles Lallement completed the top-10, while Leon Price secured the final Iron Cup podium place with 11th.

Michal Broniszewski, Kessel Racing Ferrari 458 GT3: “I thought the guys were a lot closer in the Main Race, perhaps because my car was a little stiff for the conditions. I was pretty safe in the end, though. I have had fun racing in the Blancpain GT Sports Club this weekend, and maybe more than the Sprint Cup which is like a jungle! The 458 seemed better suited to the circuit than the 488, so I had a good time.”

Stephen Earle, Kessel Racing Ferrari 458 GT3: “I have scored six Iron Cup podiums in six races but this is my first win, which feels a bit different! I knew that Martin would be quick and close in at some point; my engineer was counting down the seconds. So at Clearways I saw him coming and held my normal line while he tried to go around the outside, which was pretty brave! The Iron Cup is very competitive so it is great to come out on top this weekend.”

Round three of this season’s Blancpain GT Sports Club takes place at Paul Ricard in France on June 25/26.

Blancpain Ultracar Sports Club joins GT Sports Club on the Brands Hatch grid

A selection of the world’s rarest, most exotic and expensive road and track-only ultracars joined the grid before the start of this afternoon’s Blancpain GT Sports Club Main Race at Brands Hatch.

The likes of an Aston Martin Vulcan, McLaren P1 GTR, Rimac Concept_One and Pagani Huayra Pacchetto Tempesta lined up in front of their purpose-built racing counterparts after completing their own track session.

The Blancpain Ultracar Sports Club will also join the Blancpain GT Sports Club at Paul Ricard next month.

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Click here for the complete Main Race classification
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Next Race: Paul Ricard, France: June 25/26
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