19 October 2013
Bortolotti takes title in style
After missing chances to win the Eurocup Megane Trophy at the last two meetings, Mirko Bortolotti (Oregon Team) finally sealed the deal at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, winning from pole in the weekend’s first race. Finishing second and third behind him were the respective 2009 and 2011 champions in the category, Mike Verschuur (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur) and Stefano Comini (Team Lompech Sport), while Jeroen Schothorst (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur) finished ahead of Toni Forne (Gravity-Charouz) to score the points he needed to land the gentlemen drivers’ crown.
Mirko Bortolotti made it 12 poles out of a possible 13 in the morning, putting himself in the best possible position to wrap the title up. Lining up behind him on the grid were Mike Verschuur, Kevin Gilardoni, Stefano Comini and Kelvin Snoeks.
The Italian made a good getaway to take turn one in the lead from Stefano Comini, who ducked past Mike Verschuur at the lights, with Kelvin Snoeks also slicing ahead of Kevin Gilardoni and into fourth.
Stefano Comini harassed Mirko Bortolotti as best he could but could not prevent the Italian from gradually easing clear. The Swiss then had to fend off the charging Mike Verschuur, and when the two men pitted on lap 15 it was the Dutchman who emerged in second place.
Staying well ahead of Mike Verschuur and Stefano Comini, Mirko Bortolotti registered his eighth win of the year to secure the championship. There was plenty going on behind the leading trio, however, as Kevin Gilardoni pulled out all the stops to snatch fourth back from Kelvin Snoeks on the penultimate lap, with Max Braams (Las Moras by Equipe Verschuur) coming home sixth.
Jeroen Schothorst (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur) was indebted to his superior strategy as he took seventh place from Toni Forne (Gravity Charouz), enough to give him the win in the gentlemen drivers’ category and with it the 2103 title.
What they said
Mirko Bortolotti: “We’ve got the title at last. It’s a reward for all the work we’ve put into the races. There are still two races to go tomorrow and we need to give our all, as if the championship were still up for grabs. I want to thank all the people who’ve played a part in this success.”
Mike Verschuur: “My congratulations to Mirko. He’s done a fantastic job throughout the season. I haven’t had the chance to drive the Megane before collective testing and I’ve had to adapt as the weekends have gone by. Things have got better and better, but the gap was already too big. I had an absolutely terrible start today, as I often do.”
Stefano Comini: “The Megane Trophy V6 is my favourite car. I love it and it’s an exceptional car to drive. Third is a good performance, but we’ll need to change a lot of settings for tomorrow. Even so, I still managed to have the best start of my life.”
Provisional Eurocup Megane Trophy standings: 1. M. Bortolotti 260 points; 2. M. Verschuur 187; 3. K. Gilardoni 136; 4. K. Snoeks 129; 5. E. Janis 109.
To be confirmed following post-race inspections.
