Phenomenal drive gives Broadhurst and Osborne early GT4 lead

Today (Sunday 3rd May) Michael Broadhurst and team-mate Joe Osborne took an 8 point lead in the GT4 European Cup after sealing a superb race two victory in which nearest rivals Nigel Moore/Jody Firth were eliminated in a start line accident.

Michael took to the grid with new tyres on the PMB Ginetta and used the rolling lap to get them ‘scrubbed in’ and up to temperature ready for the start.

“It was quite an overcast start to the race so the track temperature was relatively low. I was working the tyres pretty hard on the out lap to get them ready for the start”.

With the grid formed up ready for the start, the lights went green and chaos was caused over the line when contact was made between the number 5 and 50 Ginettas with the later also collecting the number 18 BMW M3. Luckily Michael was able to find a safe way through and lined up in 6th place ready for a safety car period which marshals cleared the circuit.

“The safety car period actually played into our hands as it kept the tyres fresh for much longer. It was a good period of the race because I was able to communicate with the team and Joe around the whole lap and discuss tactics while also keep everything on the car up to temperature”.

At the restart, Michael was passed over the startline by the number 17 BMW M3, boasting an impressive straight-line speed. Later in the lap he squeezed past the green Ginetta of Matt Hamilton to regain 6th place and quickly closed back up on the sole remaining BMW.

After spending several laps stuck in traffic, the team made a bold decision and brought Michael into the pits to hand the car over to Joe. The strategy worked out brilliantly, feeding Joe back out into clear track space, which he put to good use. When the other cars eventually pitted, the PMB Ginetta jumped to 2nd overall with Stuart Linn’s Ginetta in close company ahead.

With a superb passing manoeuvre into Brooklands, Joe Osborne took the lead of the race and built a 6 second lead which he held until the chequered flag. Michael had this to say:

“What an amazing race! Everything was perfect. The team made a fantastic call on the pitstop and Joe brought it home brilliantly. It’s been a tough weekend behind the scenes and we were definitely up against it at times. Coming home in second place yesterday was really gutting but to have won today from 7th on the grid with all of the drama on track more than makes up for it.

I’ve done four races in total now with Joe and it’s yielded us 3 podiums, 2 wins and both times we’ve left leading a major championship! I really hope we can get things sorted for Adria in 2 weeks with some proper backing because the momentum is definitely with us and if we can keep driving like this then there’s no reason why we can’t win the GT4 European Championship”.

Rounds 3 and 4 of the 2009 FIA GT4 European Cup take place at the Adria ‘International Raceway’ (50km south of Venice) on 15-16th May. For your chance to join Michael’s European championship campaign as an official partner, then contact him for more information about the excellent benefits he can offer you at:

michael@michaelbroadhurst.co.uk

Race 2 Results:

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01. BROADHURST/OSBORNE 40:25.643

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02. SIMPSON/LINN (+6.294)
03. BUNCOMBE/ORDONEZ (+7.375)
04. VELTMAN (+9.317)
05. HAMILTON/DUNSTAN (+10.927)
06. HLADIK (+21.754)
07. ABBOTT/FLECTHER (+24.635)
08. PALMER/PEARSON (+56.888)
09. PUGACHEV (+1:20.674)
10. EDER (+2:10.200) **
11. PRONK (+1 LAP) **

Not Classified

-- MALLOCK (DNF)
-- WINTENBERGER (DNF) **
-- DONKERVOORT (DNF) **
-- MOORE/FIRTH (DNF)
-- GRAMMATICO/MENA (DNF)

-- KICQ/DE DONCKER (DNS)
-- BLACK (DNS)

** Super Sport class