20 octobre 2013
Mike Verschuur has the final word
Mike Verschuur (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur) claimed the spoils in the final Eurocup Megane Trophy race of the season at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The Dutch driver took the flag from Kevin Gilardoni (Oregon Team), who led for most of the race, with 2013 champion Mirko Bortolotti (Oregon Team) occupying the last place on the podium.
This third race of the weekend was added to the Barcelona schedule following the cancellation of race two at the Circuit Paul Ricard because of bad weather. The grid was decided in France, with Mirko Bortolotti on pole from Kevin Gilardoni, Erik Janis (Gravity Charouz) and Max Braams (Las Moras by Equipe Verschuur).
Sixth on the grid, Mike Verschuur made the quickest of starts but was outbraked at the first turn by Kevin Gilardoni, who rounded it in the lead from the Dutchman, Erik Janis and Mirko Bortolotti. The new champion found a way past the Gravity Charouz driver on lap two and then chased down Verschuur before making an unsuccessful attempt to pass him on lap five.
Kevin Gilardoni made the most of their tussle to extend his lead, though Mike Verschuur was back in touch by the midway stage and finally got on to the leader’s tail on lap ten. The Italian was still being harassed by his closest pursuer when he went in for fuel on lap 15, his Dutch rival following suit on the next lap.
Seemingly on course for a maiden win in the category, Kevin Gilardoni then made a braking error three laps out, allowing Mike Verschuur to dive past and snatch the win from him, with Mirko Bortolotti finishing third.
Erik Janis was fourth, followed by Max Braams, Jelle Beelen (Equipe Verschuur) and Vladimir Lunkin (Oregon Team). Jean-Charles Miginiac was the highest-ranked gentleman driver in eighth, while Oliver Freymuth (AKF Motorsport) and Margot Laffite (Oregon Team) also got in among the points.
What they said
Mike Verschuur : “I didn’t have anything to lose in this last race, but I had a tough job on my hands in starting from sixth. I got some advice from Stefano Comini and I was nearly in the lead by the time I put the brakes on. I knew the car would get better and better as the laps went by and our strategies are always excellent. I managed to get past Kevin and score the win.”
Kevin Gilardoni : “I got away well but Mike had a flying start. The car responded really well in the first few laps but for some reason I started to lose pace, which has happened before this season. I then made a mistake and then the brake pedal went all soft and mushy. Mike got past me but I’d like to congratulate him on his win.”
Mirko Bortolotti : “I wanted to end the season on a high by putting on a show and winning the race. I made a terrible start, though, and the corner was obviously too narrow for three cars front on. I passed Erik at the hairpin but when I tried to get past Mike we came together and that’s when I started having problems. I don’t have any regrets. I gave it my best shot.”
