The inaugural season of the GT4 European Series has been concluded on the historic Autodromo Nazionale Monza. It ends a successful season that featured thrilling battles among international participants with well-known car brands at famous tracks across Europe. Here, you will find a mix of champions, interesting newcomers and experienced drivers telling their stories from behind the scenes. Expectations for the 2015 season are drafted as well.
Here are the champions
Ricardo van der Ende and Bernhard van Oranje can look back at a stunning 2014 season in which they won the championship of the inaugural GT4 European Series. The Dutch driving for Racing Team Holland by Ekris Motorsport celebrated five victories in total.
After winning the former European GT4 titles in 2011 and 2013, Van der Ende can be proud of claiming his third championship. “Everyone wants to win this championship and we are the one to take the trophy home. We can be very proud of that! Bernhard in particular,” he said.
Van der Ende shared his BMW M3 GT4 with Van Oranje who has experienced an eventful year. “I completed medical treatment in March and was back behind the wheel in May. I wasn’t really focussed on the championship at that time, but we’ve scored beyond expectations right from the start. And to secure your first championship title feels amazing. Thanks to everyone in the team making this possible.”
Ekris is currently developing a race version of a BMW M4 and hopes to bring this German machine to the racetrack next year.
Grammatico’s GT4 Am Class battles
He’s probably one of the most respected gentlemen in the championship: André Grammatico enjoyed participating in the GT4 European Series. The Frenchman drove the white BMW Espace Bienvenue M3 GT4 and challenged the drivers from Las Moras Racing Team successfully. He won seven races in the GT4 Am Class.
“I’m very happy as I wanted to win the title in our division with a victory,” said Grammatico. “It was a great finale as I found a good rhythm and made no mistakes. I also didn’t really have to push in comparison with Saturday’s race. I was more careful at the start to avoid a crash and that created a distance to my rivals in front. Therefore I needed to push to take second and on Sunday I almost cruised to victory. A great way to win the championship!”
Not only Braams and Severs were Grammatico’s opponents, he was also able to race against other GT4 drivers who were fighting for points in the GT4 Pro Class. “Here in Monza I was able to hold off one of the Racing Team Holland by Ekris Motorsport BMW’s until the pit stop,” he smiles. “At Spa-Francorchamps I experienced one of my best races so far, being classified seventh and fourth in the overall results. I really love this track and I’m proud of this achievement.”
Grammatico will now evaluate his options for next year. “We will take a decision in February,” he promised.
A first taste
The Montez brothers enjoyed their first race weekend in the GT4 European Series. The Portuguese youngsters switched from a prototype to the black and gold coloured Aston Martin Vantage GT4 for the first time. Racing at Monza was a great learning experience for Sérgio and Eugénio Montez.
“We have only driven in Portuguese championships but for our sponsor Luxevile it’s more interesting to race at an international level,” Sérgio explained. “It brings so many advantages as it includes international coverage with live stream and online reporting. And it is fun to drive here too.”
His brother Eugénio acknowledges the benefits it has over the national championships and describes how much he likes the series: “I like to drive our powerful car around the fast Monza track and to compete against other makes. It is a real learning experience for us. There is certainly a possibility to race the full season next year as we like the series.”
Jan Kasperlik (GER) and Dietmar Lackinger (AUT) are normally competing in the Austrian BMW 325 Challenge. Lackinger, a multiple champion in this category, was happy to run a BMW M3 GT4 at Monza. “We were looking for another challenge after several years of racing in the same competition,” Lackinger explained. “The GT4 European Series made a good impression to us and we decided to participate in the final round of the championship. We are considering to run our car next year.”
Three makes, three wins, same driver
To win three races in the GT4 European Series is quite remarkable, but achieving this in three different cars is even more extraordinary. Jörg Viebahn received the chance to race for Racing Team Holland by Ekris Motorsport at Monza, partnering Simon Knap. Getting familiar with the BMW M3 GT4 wasn’t as easy as it sounded. “But in the end, the BMW and I became friends,” said Viebahn.
Previously the experienced German race car driver started the season in a Ginetta G50, winning a race at Misano. He switched to a Porsche 911 GT4 and drove the powerful vehicle to a great victory at Paul Ricard. Obviously he is able to adapt to new cars very quickly but does he prefer Porsche to BMW? “After the first race, absolutely,” said Viebahn. But as he was discovering the powerful vehicle, he found the differences and adapted accordingly. “Braking is totally different. With the BMW you have to brake into the corners in contrast to the Ginetta and the Porsche where you should brake in front of the corner and accelerates while turning,” he explained.
“It was easier to adopt to the Ginetta than to the BMW,” Viebahn admitted. “But it’s obvious that it’s difficult to switch from a Porsche to a BMW and be instant competitive in this kind of championship. I really had to learn the car but racing it was fun.”
Watch out for the Ginetta’s
Eleven drivers entered the Ginetta G50 Cup in the final two rounds at Monza, delivering spectacular battles not only among the Ginetta racing stars, but also with other GT4 Pro and Am participants. Manual Lasagni proved to be able to take the overall win during the race on Sunday.
Saturday’s winners were Stefano Stefanelli and Lorenzo Marcucci, finishing fourth overall but taking their first victory in the Ginetta G50 Cup. “It is fantastic to win on home soil in front of family and friends,” said Marcucci. “It wasn’t an easy race but we were able to overtake our main rivals one by one. We have been very unlucky this year due to a lot of accidents, but fortunately we could end the season on a high note.”
What to expect in 2015?
Max Braams, coordinator of the GT4 European Series said: “The inaugural season has been beyond expectations. We’ve seen thrilling races on famous circuits throughout Europe with various makes and many international participants taking part,” said Braams. “In the coming week we will announce next year’s calendar and it promises to be exciting with possible venues in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Sweden. Stay tuned!”