20 October 2013
Stefano Comini handed race win
Crowned Eurocup Megane Trophy champion yesterday, Mirko Bortolotti (Oregon Team) was at it again on Sunday morning as he took the chequered flag for the second time this weekend. The Italian was later disqualified, however, with victory being awarded to Stefano Comini (Team Lompech Sport). Bortolotti still has one race left on Sunday as he bids to finish the 2013 season on a high note.
Mirko Bortolotti broke yet another record in securing his 13th pole of the year on Saturday morning, the new Eurocup Megane Trophy champion heading the grid from Mike Verschuur, Kevin Gilardoni (Oregon Team), Erik Janis (Gravity Charouz) and Kelvin Snoeks (Oregon Team).
After a slight delay for fog Mirko Bortolotti led from the lights and quickly pulled clear of nearest pursuer Stefano Comini, who made a spectacular start to surge up to second from sixth. Having been pushed down to third, Mike Verschuur tried in vain to slip back past the Swiss.
Jelle Beelen (Equipe Verschuur) and Margot Laffite (Oregon Team) came together as the fog lifted, with the safety car arriving on the scene to allow the French driver’s car to be cleared from the track. The leading drivers took the opportunity to refuel, with Max Braams (Las Moras by Equipe Verschuur) stealing past Kelvin Snoeks and Toni Forne and into fifth.
Following the exit of the safety car Mirko Bortolotti put distance between himself and the field again to win by 13 seconds from Stefano Comini and Mike Verschuur. Post-race checks of the Italian’s Megane Trophy nevertheless revealed that the fuel level was below the mandatory minimum. With the 2013 champion subsequently disqualified, Stefano Comini was handed the race win, with Mike Verschuur second and Max Braams, who ducked past Kevin Gilardoni on the final lap, third. Toni Forne was the first gentleman driver home in fifth, while Jelle Beelen, Jeroen Schothorst (McGregor by Equipe Verschuur), Jean-Charles Miginiac (Team Lompech Sport) Enrico Bettera (Oregon Team) and Luc Braams (Las Moras by Equipe Verschuur) were the other men in the top ten.
What they said
Stefano Comini: “This race was special because it’s my last Eurocup Megane Trophy appearance. It was a crazy one too, especially at the start. I tried to get past Mirko, but it was impossible and I also had to keep an eye on Mike, who was very fast.”
Mike Verschuur: “I’ll be starting sixth in the third and final race, and with Stefano starting from the same position in this race I might be asking him for some advice. He made an incredible start. Everyone was playing it safety-first and I couldn’t believe it when I saw him pass. He did a great job to hold on to his position.”
