Ide first crash ended his race at Spa

Following a 2012 season with Ferrari in the GT World Championship Enzo Ide is tackling a brilliant double assignment in 2013. The young West-Flanders based driver is competing in both the Blancpain Endurance Series as also the FIA GT Series with Phoenix Audi, teamed up with fellow countryman Anthony Kumpen and with the German GT1 World Champion Markus Winkelhock for the longer races.

#16 Phoenix Racing, Audi R8 LMS ultra: Enzo Ide, Anthony Kumpen, Markus Winkelhock

Photo by: SRO/VIMAGES/Fabre

Enzo Ide and his teammates Anthony Kumpen and Markus Winkelhock, following an early problem with a loosened wheel bolt, drove a strong race finding themselves with four hours to go to the finish back within the top ten. A top 5 was also still within their sights, but unfortunately a race incident prematurely ended the endeavour of the Phoenix Audi R8 LMS Ultra.

“I’ve just experienced the first crash of my racing career behind me, and it’s a great shame that it should have occurred here. I’m obviously disappointed for my teammates and for our team crew!”

Enzo Ide was obviously looking forward to the event Wednesday afternoon during the parade. The crowds were on hand for the traditional parade from the circuit the heart of Spa, with all 65 GT cars heading on down on the public road to the centre of the town in the Belgian Ardennes.

“Quite unbelievable the mass of people showing an interest for motorsport. I truly hope that the rest of the weekend continues in the same light.”

For the Audi team the qualifying sessions did not go smoothly. The Belgian-German trio car finally finished within the Top-25, as second representative of the brand.

Enzo Ide: “On the one hand I’m proud that we were able to place our constructor as second on the starting grid. However on the other hand it is difficult to understand why Audi, with all the efforts it pits in, cannot achieve any better than a place as from 15th spot…

The Balance of Performance, and then definitely the speed on the straight, is a serious point for discussion. We are lacking … on the straights. In addition to the competitive disadvantage, it also implies that we are taking additional risks in the more curved sections in order to catch up and overtake cars up front.”

The race itself started off in dramatic conditions with a broken wheel. Straight away two or three laps were lost and the Audi dropped back under the Top-40. What followed was a tooth and nail catch-up race, whereby thanks to some brilliant driving by the three drivers the Audi found itself back within the Top-10.

Enzo Ide: “We were lying in seventh place, with our sights on the sixth spot when a Safety Car period came about. Following the restart I gave it my all and just as I was closing in on our sister car in sixth place I misjudged a slower competitor. The Ferrari was faster than I thought and I came into too soon … The rest is history.”

Enzo Ide