Finally: The pay off for the endless development work. In the second round of the Blancpain Endurance Series at Silverstone, the Emil Frey GT3 Jaguar rose to 3rd place in the Pro-Am class and an excellent 16th place overall.
After 3-hours of hard racing on the former home of British motorsport, Silverstone (GB), the Emil Frey Racing Team with drivers Lorenz Frey, Fredy Barth and Gabriele Gardel celebrated after their first major successful. After tough times and countless setbacks, the small Swiss team delivered an almost perfect race.
In the three-part qualifying the only privately developed GT3 car turned in performance that recei-ved a lot of respect from the other 61 cars. In rain peppered sessions the Emil Frey GT3 Jaguar rose as high as P8 on the timing screens before ending the session, in drying conditions, with Fredy Barth at the wheel in 36th spot – just 1.82s off pole.
In the race, Gabriele Gardel took the start and worked hard to post fast lap times and pass rivals. The team went for a late first change ensuring second driver, Lorenz Frey, was in an excellent posi-tion to maintain the forward momentum for the Swiss team. With 68 minutes remaining, the bright blue Emil Frey GT3 Jaguar came into the pits for the final driver change. Handing over to Fredy Barth the team were in 23rd place. With the bit between his teeth he tore off, at qualifying pace, after the cars in front. Lap after lap he made up ground, overtaking rivals and posted fastest laps. At the flag the team were in raptures as they finished 3rd in the Pro-Am class and 16th overall.
Fredy Barth: ”After a few minor problems on Saturday, this race is a well deserved reward for a great all round team performance. It was huge fun taking on the very quick factory prepared GT3 cars – and beating them to the flag!! We know we can’t rest on our laurels after this race and will have to keep working hard – developing and testing the car for the rest of the season.“
Lorenz Frey: ”After all the hard work of the last few years, we finally have the result we have been fighting for. It is a fantastic, especially since we were not confident that Silverstone would be the best track for us this year. We have finally shown that Jaguar can compete at the highest level of GT racing.“
Gabriele Gardel: ”That was fun. In the first stint I was able to make up some places, which Lorenz and Fredy were able to continue. Now I am looking forward to the next race.“
The next race for Emil Frey Racing in the Blancpain Endurance Series will take place on 19th / 20th June at Le Castellet (F).
Source. Emil Frey Racing/Photos. John Patterson
Sportscar Racing News 
Discussion
No comments yet.