Eurocup Mégane Trophy
Fifth on the grid, 2009 champion Mike Verschuur (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur) made the most of a speedy refuelling stop to beat Kelvin Snoeks (Oregon Team) and Erik Janis (Gravity Charouz) to the line and claim his first Eurocup Megane Trophy win of the season.
Championship leader Mirko Bortolotti (Oregon Team) began the day in fine style, qualifying three hundredths of a second faster than team-mate Kevin Gilardoni (Oregon Team) to land his third pole of the season, with Kelvin Snoeks, Erik Janis and Mike Verschuur lining up to their rear.
Max Braams (Las Moras by Equipe Verschuur) spun as the grid lined up, and when the lights went out Toni Forne (Gravity Charouz) stalled. In the battle for the lead, meanwhile, Kevin Gilardoni’s unsuccessful attack on Mirko Bortolotti at the entrance to Raidillon allowed Kelvin Snoeks to nip into second place between his two stable-mates. Then, on lap two, Vladimir Lunkin (Oregon Team) went off at the top of Raidillon.
With nothing to choose between the front three, the chasing Erik Janis and Mike Verschuur managed to stay in touch. Behind them raged the battle for the minor placings, including a fierce tussle between Jeroen Schothorst (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur) and Enrico Bettera (Oregon Team).
The race would hinge on the compulsory refuelling stops. The first man into the pits was Jean-Charles Miginiac (Team Lompech Sport) on lap six, with Kevin Gilardoni pitting three laps later, followed by Erik Janis and Kelvin Snoeks on lap ten and Mirko Bortolotti and Mike Verschuur on lap 11. After making the cleanest of stops, Mike Verschuur emerged from the pit lane ahead of everyone bar Marguerite Laffite (Oregon Team), who promptly pitted to leave the Dutchman out on his own. Worse luck was to befall Kevin Gilardoni, whose hopes were ended by a puncture.
Mike Verschuur went on to take the chequered flag from Kelvin Snoeks, Erik Janis, Mirko Bortolotti, Steven Palette, Max Braams and Gentlemen Trophy race winner Jeroen Schothorst. Enrico Beretta, Oliver Freymuth (AKF Motorsport) and Jakub Knoll (Gravity Charouz) were the other three drivers to finish in the top ten.
What they said
Mike Verschuur: “The team did a fantastic job. The car was perfect and the refuelling stop allowed us to take the lead. It’s something we’ve worked really hard on and it was a nice way for us to get the win.”
Kelvin Snoeks: “I made the most of the battle between my team-mates at the start, though things got harder after that. I did everything I could to get past Mirko at the start of the race. I managed to get the upper hand after coming in for fuel but Mike was already out in front by then.”
Official Renault Sport Press Release.