Lechner Racing Imola race report

Huisman and Westbrook on podium in Imola
Maximum result for the two Lechner racing School Teams

This weekend the 13th season of the Porsche Michelin Supercup has started during the Grand Prix of San Marino in Imola, Italy. With a podium finish for both Patrick Huisman (NL) and Richard Westbrook (UK) the season started the way it should; leading the Championship.

The Lechner Racing School Team came to Imola with two teams, 5 cars and a driver line-up of 5 drivers. Team 1, with Alessandro Zampedri and 4 times Porsche Supercup champion Patrick Huisman. Team 2, with Geoffroy Horion, David Dermont and British Porsche Carreracup Champion Richard Westbrook.

A very exiting first race of the season with a great result for both Lechner Racing School teams. Team 1 with Patrick Huisman on 3rd position, Team 2 with Richard Westbrook on 2nd position. Since Luca Riccitelli is a Porsche VIP driver, he will not get any championship points. That means a maximum result for both teams.

Patrick Huisman who qualified second behind David Saelens had a great start and took the lead immediately. Lietz (tolimit motorsport) had a jumpstart but got off the track, creating an unsure situation for Alessandro Zampedri who was careful for a possible "comeback on track" of Lietz. Even though it was not raining, the track was wet. In the race, there was a dry racing line, which is why Huisman wasn't able to keep the lead. Saelens was passed by Riccitelli and Westbrook. Both also passed Huisman in lap 9.

Patrick Huisman

"I had a great start and was able to take the lead immediately. On the wet track the car was fantastic and there was a comfortable gap of 3.4 seconds between David Saelens and me. But on the dry track I had some problems with the rear of the car. Due to the weather forecast we didn't want to take any risk so we went for the compromise between a dry and a wet setup. For the first half of the race it was easy to stay in control. As soon as the track was getting dry, I had a lot of problems with oversteer. Riccitelli and Westbrook easily caught up with me. Still I am very happy with the result. It is going to be a long season and starting it with 18 points puts me in a good position. The Lechner Racing Team did a great job."

Alessandro Zampedri:

"I had a conservative start and stayed on my position. Lietz got off on the left in the first corner and I was afraid that he would be coming back in the field from the tyre barriers so I was very slow in the first corner. Then I was driving very very carefull just not to get off. I kept my 7th position but honestly it was very difficult to keep the pace with the guys in front of me. And then, when the track dried up I started to push again and I was on Lietz bumper with only three laps to go. Geoffroy Horion who was behind me was very quick and at the end, in the last lap I went a little wide at the Rivazza on the last lap. He was quicker than me and managed to overtake me."

Richard Westbrook

I had a great race and I am very happy to be on the podium. The setup for the drying track was good enough to get to the head of the field. Even though I got off 2 times, I managed to be second on the podium. It's the best season start we can think of, leading the championship with two cars. It will be a challenging season and I am looking forward to end it the way we started it.

David Dermont

It is the first time for me here in Imola. I was racing Cliocup last year and this is a different league. I will gain some experience through out the season and hope to become more competitive in the coming races.

-lrs-