Dakar Rally Roundup: SR&R Ferrari Dominates Ultimate Cup Series at Circuit Paul Ricard
Last weekend, the 2023 Ultimate Cup Series kicked off its season at the iconic Circuit Paul Ricard in France. This year marks the 5th anniversary of the championship, which features races across both France and Spain. One of the highlights on the calendar will be the inaugural Grand Prix de Mirecourt in September, set to take place at a brand-new circuit in the east of France. The season will culminate with the Super Finale at Circuit du Castellet in November, with additional rounds at Navarra, Hockenheimring, and Magny-Cours.
Sprint GT-Touring Challenge
In the Sprint GT-Touring Challenge, the SR&R Ferrari 488 GT3 was the star of the show, winning all three races. Lorenzo Bontempelli and Kang Ling each claimed victory in the 25-minute sprint events, and the duo combined for a win in the 50-minute endurance race. Amaury Bonduel and his Lamborghini Super Trofeo No. 28 from BDR Competition/Grupo Prom had dominated qualifying but were penalized due to the silver categorization.
Endurance GT-Touring Challenge
Over in the Endurance GT-Touring Challenge, the Visiom Racing team secured the season-opening victory. Defending champions Hallyday, Pagny, and Bouvet, driving a Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo, led for 95 out of 106 laps and finished well ahead of their competitors.
Porsche Cup
In the Porsche Cup category, the Martinet by Alméras Porsche No. 94 started on pole but faced a challenging start. Victory ultimately went to the Mézard family and Alessandro Ghiretti in the Porsche No. 95, ahead of the Italian team GDL67 Racing. The Ligier JS2 R No. 42/ANS Motorsport won the C4B category, while the BMW M4 GT4 No. 17/L’Espace Bienvenue claimed the victory in the C4A class.
The 2023 Ultimate Cup Series promises to be an exciting championship, with the SR&R Ferrari and Visiom Racing teams setting the early pace. Motorsport enthusiasts and Porsche, Dakar, and British GT fans alike will want to keep a close eye on the series as it unfolds.
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