By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
The Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
    Auto ShowsShow More
    Maserati enthrals at FuoriConcorso with GT2 Stradale and MCXtrema
    May 14, 2025
    Leapmotor presents its range at Automobile Barcelona, Spain
    May 14, 2025
    Alfa Romeo sporting glory dominates “Fuori Concorso”
    May 13, 2025
    Market Art Fair Stockholm and BMW Sweden present Gregor Hildebrandt as artist for BMW Art Commission 2025
    May 13, 2025
    Driving Trade Forward: AfCFTA, AGOA,BRICS and the Tariffs – All On The Menu At Automechanika CEO Breakfast
    May 9, 2025
  • Bikes
    BikesShow More
    Desmo450 MX: Production of the first Ducati Motocross bike begins
    May 28, 2025
    25YM Honda NC750X
    May 13, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RS
    May 2, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW R 1300 RT
    April 30, 2025
    Honda NC750X Named Winner in 2025 Red Dot Design Award
    April 10, 2025
  • News
    NewsShow More
    Mazda Production and Sales Results for April 2025
    May 29, 2025
    Nissan production, sales, and exports for April 2025
    May 29, 2025
    Honda Production, Sales and Export Results for April, 2025
    May 29, 2025
    Škoda Auto marks 55 years since production of the Skopak began in Pakistan
    May 29, 2025
    BMW model updates, summer 2025
    May 29, 2025
  • Concepts
    ConceptsShow More
    FIAT unveils the manifesto Grande Panda 4×4
    May 20, 2025
    Renault 4 Savane 4×4 Concept makes its global debut at Roland-Garros 2025
    May 16, 2025
    Hyundai Motor and Plus Unveil Concept for Autonomous Hydrogen Freight Ecosystem at ACT Expo 202
    May 2, 2025
    Hyundai Motor Unveils the new IONIQ 6 and IONIQ 6 N Line
    April 5, 2025
    Kia and LG Electronics Partner to Showcase New PBV Concepts for Work and Play
    April 4, 2025
  • Interviews
    InterviewsShow More
    Kosmas “Dudie” Mamaloukos – The Formidable Racing Talent
    May 15, 2025
    Hi-Range Safari City
    Hi-Range Safari City – The Premier outfitter for 4×4 customization
    May 15, 2025
    BEHIND THE SCENES: ARCHIE RUTHERFORD ON WHAT IT TAKES TO BRING THE W2RC TO SOUTH AFRICA
    May 9, 2025
    Europe and China’s automotive future in a shifting global order
    May 5, 2025
    Sourcing Guide Right-Hand Drive American SUVs and Pickup Trucks in Africa
    April 29, 2025
  • EVs
    EVsShow More
    All-New Nissan MICRA EV debuts ahead of European launch
    May 28, 2025
    BMW Group and Solid Power are testing all-solid-state battery cells in a BMW i7
    May 20, 2025
    Toyota Debuts Stylish, Powerful 2026 C-HR Battery Electric Vehicle
    May 18, 2025
    A Ford Capri Fit for ‘The King’
    May 17, 2025
    World premiere of the Toyota bZ4X Touring
    May 16, 2025
  • Motosport
    MotosportShow More
    Lærke Rønn, Alexia Danielsson, Rasmus Vendelbo, Porsche Sprint Challenge Scandinavia, 2025, Porsche AG
    The schoolgirl who’s just won her debut GT race
    May 28, 2025
    Porsche with new qualifying record and ongoing points streak ahead of China
    May 28, 2025
    Nissan Formula E Team looking to reinforce championship lead in Shanghai
    May 28, 2025
    Opel Mokka GSE Rally: A New Star in Electric Rallying
    May 28, 2025
    Mercedes-AMG aims for third overall victory in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring
    May 28, 2025
  • Trucks & Buses
    Trucks & BusesShow More
    MAN development team for autonomous driving is ‘Engineering Team of the Year’
    May 29, 2025
    Scania to start deliveries of new electric buses to northern Sweden
    May 29, 2025
    From left to right: Jens Böther, Regional Council; Nikolas Wenzel, Managing Director of MOIN; Claudia Kalisch, Mayor of Lüneburg; Alex Meier, Depot Manager; Nils Richert, Daimler Buses
    Daimler Buses builds a completely new electric bus depot for a customer for the first time
    May 28, 2025
    600 km range and superfast charging – meet Volvo’s new electric truck
    May 20, 2025
    Vandijck Transport tests the eActros 600 on a long-haul route of over 1,500 kilometers
    Vandijck Transport tests the eActros 600 
    May 18, 2025
  • Reviews
    ReviewsShow More
    GR Supra pushes performance limits with A90 Final Edition and Lightweight EVO
    May 28, 2025
    The new BMW M2 CS
    May 28, 2025
    Defender upgraded: The unstoppable 4×4 is now even more distinctive 
    May 28, 2025
    From vision to Veyron: the evolution of a Bugatti icon
    May 17, 2025
    The new Mercedes-Maybach SL Monogram Series
    May 13, 2025
  • Tech
    TechShow More
    VNC Automotive Partners with P3 to Enhance the SPARQ OS Platform
    May 29, 2025
    Artificial intelligence: Audi boosts production efficiency
    May 28, 2025
    Greater efficiency and productivity with artificial intelligence – generative AI in BMW Group Purchasing
    May 19, 2025
    Aston Martin debuts Apple CarPlay Ultra for iPhone users
    May 16, 2025
    Mercedes-Benz customers in Germany can now purchase and pay for e-Vignettes directly from their vehicle
    May 15, 2025
Hot News
Mazda Production and Sales Results for April 2025
Nissan production, sales, and exports for April 2025
Honda Production, Sales and Export Results for April, 2025
Škoda Auto marks 55 years since production of the Skopak began in Pakistan
BMW model updates, summer 2025
Latest News

Alfa Romeo Junior wins Design Trophy in Germany

Latest News

Lamborghini Accademia Neve celebrates ten years of thrills and performance in Livigno

Motosport

Selection process for the 2025 Porsche Junior enters the hot phase

Latest News

INEOS AUTOMOTIVE BEGINS PRODUCTION OF GRENADIER QUARTERMASTER DOUBLE CAB PICK-UP

Font ResizerAa
The Auto MagazineThe Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • Interviews
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Search
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • Interviews
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Follow US
Crafted by Intellegere Media. © 2024 The Auto Magazine. All rights reserved.
Motosport

Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe: Ali/Söderström, Bonduel come out on top in Imola opener

Itumeleng Garebatshabe
Last updated: April 22, 2024 11:06
By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
459 Views
17 Min Read
Share
17 Min Read
SHARE

The 16th season of Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe kicked off in spectacular fashion at Imola, with a record grid of 52 cars joining the support bill of the FIA World Endurance Championship for the first time. Contrasting weather conditions presented a variety of challenges for the one-make series reserved for the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2, with Saturday’s opener red flagged with 22 minutes remaining following a severe thunderstorm while Sunday’s second bout took place under blue skies.

Target Racing’s Oliver Söderström and Largim Ali took victory after a brave strategic call to not change to wet tyres in race one, while Boutsen VDS pairing Renaud Kuppens and Roee Meyuhas won in Pro-Am, finishing fourth overall. Maiden class victories went to CMR’s Nigel Bailly (Am) and Brutal Fish Racing’s Charlie Martin and Jason Keats (Lamborghini Cup).

- Advertisement -
Ad image

In race two, Amaury Bonduel announced his title ambitions with victory for BDR Competition, with Micánek Motorsport’s Štefan Rosina and Bronislav Formánek prevailed in Pro-Am. The Am win went to Pietro Perolini and Davide Roda while Art Line Racing’s Shota Abkhazava dominated Lamborghini Cup.

Race 1

Pro

The opening 50-minute race of the new season was dictated by the capricious Emilia Romagna weather as dark clouds loomed over the circuit before the start. An incident before the lights turned to green involving Jachym Galaš (Micánek Motorsport) and Leonardo Caglioni (Oregon Team) pitched the latter in to the pit wall, forcing an aborted start and an additional formation lap. Once racing got underway properly, pole-sitter Bonduel led away from the chasing Mattia Michelotto (VS Racing), establishing a slender one-second lead before the forecasted storm finally arrived.

High winds preceded thunder and lightning and brought leaves, grass and dirt onto the track, making life incredibly difficult for the crews. Eventually, the rain came and, following the deployment of the safety car, Bonduel led Michelotto and the rest of the cars into the pits. Most changed to wet tyres, including second-place finishers Sebastian Balthasar and Jacob Riegel (Leipert Motorsport) but both the Target Racing pairing of Söderström and Ali, and the recovering Oregon entry of Caglioni and Geraci, elected to stay on slick tyres.

The strategic gamble paid off handsomely as Ali and Söderström claimed their second Super Trofeo Europe victory as the race was stopped with 22 minutes remaining, while Geraci and Caglioni completed their last-to-the-podium drive in third.

Oliver Söderström (#9 Target Racing) said: “It was a crazy race, probably one of the craziest I have ever driven in my life. The conditions were very difficult and even at the start of the race, it was so dark and there was a lot of stuff on the track. I struggled a little bit in the beginning, and it started to rain just before the pit-stops, but it was not enough to change tyres. And then it was up to Largim to keep the car on the track when it started to rain properly.”

Team-mate Largim Ali added: “I had no idea if the safety car was going to come in or stay out, I just had to believe in my engineer’s decision to not change tyres and I prayed a lot during the race that he was right! It was a big gamble, but it paid off and it’s a good way to start the season for us.”

Pro-Am

Amid all of the chaos that affected the entire field, Boutsen VDS’ Roee Meyuhas and Renaud Kuppens came out on top in the Pro-Am category, finishing a staggering fourth overall. Key to the strong result was keeping the car on the track as the heavens opened following the pit window. Meyuhas and Kuppens ended up some 40-seconds clear of Micánek Motorsport’s Štefan Rosina and Bronislav Formánek, with the Lamborghini Stuttgart by Target Racing duo of Calle Bergman and Guido Luchetti taking the final step on the podium.

Am

CMR’s Nigel Bailly was another beneficiary of the weather as the Belgian driver took his maiden Lamborghini Super Trofeo win, finishing ninth overall at the flag. In his second season of one-make racing, Bailly worked his way up from eighth on the grid, steering clear of any trouble to prevail at the end of the 50 minutes. Others in the Am class did not enjoy as clean a run, notably Bailly’s compatriot and team-mate Rodrigue Gillion, who lost control of his car on the exit of Aqua Minerali and heavily impacting the barrier, thus extending the safety car period.

By the time the red flags came out, Bailly was the winner ahead of Pietro Perolini and Davide Roda for Oregon Team and pole-sitters Anthony McIntosh and Glenn McGee (Leipert Motorsport).

LB Cup

The surprise of the race came undoubtedly in the Lamborghini Cup class, as Brutal Fish Racing’s Jason Keats and Charlie Martin prevailed to take their first series race win with eighth overall. Martin started the race in the #54 machine before handing over to Keats as the rain started to fall. With visibility and car control severely reduced, conditions were precarious at best, but the Canadian managed to head GT3 Poland’s Holger Harmsen and the defending class champions Donovan and Luciano Privitelio (Rexal Villorba Corse) at the flag.

Race 2

Pro

Bonduel had dominated qualifying on Saturday morning and took pole for the second race by just under four-tenths of a second, and duly led off a much smoother rolling start than the previous day. Close behind, the action was frantic as Ali squeezed past Andrea Frassinetti (#16 VS Racing) at Tamburello to take second place. Further back, Egor Orudzhev (#57 Art Line Racing) made contact with the other VS Racing machine of Gilles Stadsbader, forcing both into the pits at the end of the first lap. Stadsbader, along with team-mate Mattia Michelotto recovered to 18th at the finish. The first of three safety cars was then deployed following an incident for the #25 Uniq Racing entry of Jerzy Spinkiewicz who spun at the exit of Tosa and hit the wall.

Not long after the restart, the safety car was out again after a multi-car incident at the same corner: the DL Racing car of Filippo Lazzaroni and Guido Luchetti’s Target Racing Pro-Am entry made contact, with the latter then being hit side-on by the #48 DL Racing car of Christian Bortolato. But the constant in the Pro class was Bonduel who maintained his lead over Söderström after the pit-stops and took the win by just over five seconds. The Iron Lynx rookie pairing of Pavel Lefterov and Stefan Bostandjiev produced a strong race and completed the podium. The pick of the battles further down the field came in the closing stages as Leipert Motorsport’s Sebastian Balthasar prevailed in a three-wide run towards Tamburello, beating Hampus Ericsson (Target Racing) to sixth place; the latter survived a high-speed half-spin after putting two wheels onto the grass on the approach to Tamburello.

Amaury Bonduel, race two winner (#28 BDR Competition), said: “I’m very happy with the victory because it was not an easy race for me with all of the safety cars. I had to keep the concentration a lot, but the pit-stops went well, considering I had to spend longer stationary than the Target car. But overall, we can be happy with the weekend, and I am looking forward to my home race at Spa-Francorchamps next month.”

Pro-Am

Micánek Motorsport’s Štefan Rosina and Bronislav Formánek claimed the win in a competitive Pro-Am race, edging out Iron Lynx’s Joran Leneutre and Claude-Yves Gosselin by just 1.6s. Teenager Leneutre got the jump on pole-sitter Luchetti at the start and held onto the lead after Luchetti’s race was effectively ended in the Tosa incident. Renaud Kuppens was up to second place but a mistake at the Variante Alta left him beached in the gravel trap. He and team-mate Meyuhas continued to finish fourth. Completing the podium was the ASR crew of Miloš Pavlović and Alessio Ruffini.

Am

The Oregon Team entry of Pietro Perolini and Davide Roda claimed their first Super Trofeo victory together following a pair of post-race time penalties: one for the on-the-road winners, Adrian and Andrzej Lewandowski and another 10-second penalty for the second-place finishers, VS Racing’s Stéphane Tribaudini and Piergiacomo Randazzo.

Perolini and Roda led the early stages from pole position but dropped back after the stops with Roda at the wheel. This elevated Lewandowski to the lead with six minutes remaining, with the VS Racing crew of Tribaudini and Randazzo up to second. The order remained unchanged following the third safety car period caused by Stéphan Guérin spinning his Schumacher CLRT Huracán into the gravel on the exit of the Villeneuve chicane but was finalised in the steward’s room.

LB Cup

The surprise of the race came undoubtedly in the Lamborghini Cup class, as Brutal Fish Racing’s Jason Keats and Charlie Martin prevailed to take their first series race win with eighth overall. Martin started the race in the #54 machine before handing over to Keats as the rain started to fall. With visibility and car control severely reduced, conditions were precarious at best, but the Canadian managed to head GT3 Poland’s Holger Harmsen and the defending class champions Donovan and Luciano Privitelio (Rexal Villorba Corse) at the flag.

Race 2

Pro

Bonduel had dominated qualifying on Saturday morning and took pole for the second race by just under four-tenths of a second, and duly led off a much smoother rolling start than the previous day. Close behind, the action was frantic as Ali squeezed past Andrea Frassinetti (#16 VS Racing) at Tamburello to take second place. Further back, Egor Orudzhev (#57 Art Line Racing) made contact with the other VS Racing machine of Gilles Stadsbader, forcing both into the pits at the end of the first lap. Stadsbader, along with team-mate Mattia Michelotto recovered to 18th at the finish. The first of three safety cars was then deployed following an incident for the #25 Uniq Racing entry of Jerzy Spinkiewicz who spun at the exit of Tosa and hit the wall.

Not long after the restart, the safety car was out again after a multi-car incident at the same corner: the DL Racing car of Filippo Lazzaroni and Guido Luchetti’s Target Racing Pro-Am entry made contact, with the latter then being hit side-on by the #48 DL Racing car of Christian Bortolato. But the constant in the Pro class was Bonduel who maintained his lead over Söderström after the pit-stops and took the win by just over five seconds. The Iron Lynx rookie pairing of Pavel Lefterov and Stefan Bostandjiev produced a strong race and completed the podium. The pick of the battles further down the field came in the closing stages as Leipert Motorsport’s Sebastian Balthasar prevailed in a three-wide run towards Tamburello, beating Hampus Ericsson (Target Racing) to sixth place; the latter survived a high-speed half-spin after putting two wheels onto the grass on the approach to Tamburello.

Amaury Bonduel, race two winner (#28 BDR Competition), said: “I’m very happy with the victory because it was not an easy race for me with all of the safety cars. I had to keep the concentration a lot, but the pit-stops went well, considering I had to spend longer stationary than the Target car. But overall, we can be happy with the weekend, and I am looking forward to my home race at Spa-Francorchamps next month.”

Pro-Am

Micánek Motorsport’s Štefan Rosina and Bronislav Formánek claimed the win in a competitive Pro-Am race, edging out Iron Lynx’s Joran Leneutre and Claude-Yves Gosselin by just 1.6s. Teenager Leneutre got the jump on pole-sitter Luchetti at the start and held onto the lead after Luchetti’s race was effectively ended in the Tosa incident. Renaud Kuppens was up to second place but a mistake at the Variante Alta left him beached in the gravel trap. He and team-mate Meyuhas continued to finish fourth. Completing the podium was the ASR crew of Miloš Pavlović and Alessio Ruffini.

Am

Father and son combination Adrian and Andrzej Lewandowski claimed their first race victory in Super Trofeo competition as a partnership, catapulting to the lead late on in the race in their #3 ASR machine. The Oregon Team entry of Pietro Perolini and Davide Roda led the early stages from pole position but dropped back after the stops with Roda at the wheel. This elevated Lewandowski to the lead with six minutes remaining, with the VS Racing crew of Stéphane Tribaudini and Piergiacomo Randazzo up to second. The order remained unchanged following the third safety car period caused by Stéphan Guérin spinning his Schumacher CLRT Huracán into the gravel on the exit of the Villeneuve chicane.

LB Cup

In contrast to race one, the second Lamborghini Cup encounter was a more straightforward affair with Shota Abkhazava (Art Line Racing) leading from start to finish to clinch his first victory of the season. The Super Trofeo veteran kept his nose clean at the beginning of the race and stayed out of trouble either side of the pit window. He headed home GT3 Poland’s Holger Harmsen, who takes the early championship lead in the category, with Paolo Biglier and Petar Matić taking the final step on the podium for ASR.

The next round of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe season will take place at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium on the weekend of the 9-11 May, once again supporting the FIA World Endurance Championship.

2024 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe calendar

19-21 April – Imola * FIA WEC
9-11 May – Spa-Francorchamps * FIA WEC
11-15 June – Le Mans * FIA WEC
26-28 July – Nürburgring * GT World Challenge Europe
11-13 October – Barcelona * GT World Challenge Europe
14-15 November – Jerez de la Frontera * Lamborghini World Finals

TAGGED:FIA World Endurance ChampionshipImolaLamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Stay Updated! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn VKontakte Telegram Email Copy Link Print
Share
ByItumeleng Garebatshabe
Editor
Follow:
Itumeleng is the Managing Editor of The Auto Magazine. He is a tech and car enthusiast

Follow US

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
TiktokFollow
TelegramFollow
Google NewsFollow
LinkedInFollow
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

You Might Also Like

Motosport

Porsche Penske Motorsport aims to maintain IMSA winning streak in the USA

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
May 9, 2025
Motosport

No perfect start to the season for Porsche Penske Motorsport in Qatar

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
March 3, 2025
Motosport

Porsche factory team with productive test drives before the start of the WEC season

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
February 24, 2025
Motosport

Peugeot Sport welcomes Point S as a key partner for Team Peugeot TotalEnergies in FIA WEC

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
January 14, 2025
Motosport

Lamborghini SC63 programme to make USA debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
March 16, 2024
Motosport

BMW M Motorsport presents high-class driver line-ups for the FIA WEC and IMSA series

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
January 16, 2025

The Auto Magazine

  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Bikes
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Auto Shows
  • Latest News
  • Motosport

Made by Intellegere Media. All rights reserved. 2023

Don't not sell my personal information
Join Us!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
adbanner