15 September 2013
Mike Verschuur maintains the suspense in Budapest
Mike Verschuur (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur) recovered from a poor start in Sunday’s Eurocup Megane Trophy race at the Hungaroring to keep his title hopes alive. The Dutchman took the chequered flag from Kelvin Snoeks (Oregon Team) and Kevin Gilardoni (Oregon Team), who scored his second podium finish of the weekend. After leading for much of the race, Mirko Bortolotti (Oregon Team) had problems in the pits and eventually finished fourth to leave his title celebrations on hold.
Runaway points leader Mirko Bortolotti began the day by grabbing his ninth pole of the season and his sixth in succession. Completing the first five places on the grid were Kevin Gilardoni, Mike Verschuur, Kelvin Snoeks and Mihai Marinescu (Oregon Team).
The polesitter held off a series of attacks from Kelvin Snoeks when the lights went out, while Mike Verschuur saw both Kevin Gilardoni and Jeroen Schothorst (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur) go past him, though Verschuur was able to slip back past his team-mate on lap two.
Jeroen Schothorst was the first man into the pits on lap eight. One lap later Max Braams (Las Moras by Equipe Verschuur) and Erik Janis (Gravity Charouz) came together, with the Czech being forced to retire. After diving past Kevin Gilardoni on lap 12 and Kelvin Snoeks four laps later, Mike Verschuur closed up on Mirko Bortolotti, a duel that would be decided when the two stopped to refuel on lap 18.
Mirko Bortolotti encountered problems in the pits, handing the lead to Mike Verschuur, the Dutchman going on to cross the line first from Kelvin Snoeks and Kevin Gilardoni. The championship leader recovered from his slow stop to finish fourth, followed by Mihai Marinescu, Steven Palette (Team Lompech Sport), Max Braams and Jeroen Schothorst. Marguerite Laffite (Oregon Team) and Jelle Beelen (Equipe Verschuur) were the other drivers in the points.
What they said
Mike Verschuur: “I was disappointed about my accident yesterday and I made a bad start today. I skidded, there was smoke everywhere and I suddenly found myself in fifth place. We still felt confident though. The car picked up pace as the laps went by and we made a good stop, though I was still surprised that Mirko didn’t come out in front of me.”
Kelvin Snoeks: “I’m happy to be on the podium again. I had one of my best starts of the season and I feel I should have got past Mirko, though I didn’t want to take too many risks. I kept pace with him but I made some mistakes, which allowed Mike to overtake me. It was a tough race.”
Kevin Gilardoni: “I felt bad about messing up my fastest lap this morning, but I had some good pace at the start of the race. I then thought I’d punctured but when I stopped my team said they couldn’t see anything. I tried to get past Kelvin at the end of the race but to no avail.”
Provisional Eurocup Megane Trophy standings: 1. M. Bortolotti 217 points; 2. M. Verschuur 143; 3. K. Snoeks 107; 4. K. Gilardoni 106; 5. E. Janis 97.
*To be confirmed following post-race inspections.
