Mis à jour : il y a 2 jours
Despite a 2020 sporting year compromised by actual events,it’s finally on the First step of the podium with a victory atAM cup 6 hours endurance of Paul Ricard in GT WORLD CHALLENGE EUROPE championship that will end this« season » to forget.
Philippe Chatelet nous raconte: "j'ai été appelé en dernière minute par le team CMR (Classic and Modern Racing) pour renforcer l'équipage de la BENTLEY 108.
Philippe Chatelet tell us : "I was called at last minute by CMR team (Classic and Modern Racing) to reinforce the crew of the BENTLEY 108.
I knew perfectly the track, but I had a little apprehension, one year and a half that I had not run in this category ! The most difficult was therefore the handling of the Bentley, verydifferent from the Audi R8 LMS GT3.
The Bentley has a right-hand drive, a massive template with a bi-turbo full torque V8 engine, so it’s hard to exploit the motor function out of slow curves, even more, on wettrack. On the other hand, it’s a very relaxing car in fast sequences due to its balance and itswheelbase which makes it stable.
Unfortunately we had lack of V-Max (-12kms/h) all the week, however, CMR team did an amazing job with Stéphane, Nicolas and myself looking for perfomance on other points. Wehad a great homogeneous crew, a perfect harmony with very regular lap times, a reliable car with a well-established strategy, we can say that the stars were aligned.
I would like to thank my partners, Incomm agence, Curbstone azur, 2bAutomobile, Dijon Auto Racing, MPEC, Mr Rollinger, Dandy Motors, Dandy Bag, Chatelet Racing Events, BlackDiamondracing for allowing me to show that I was able to rise the challenge, that I was in the game and of course Charly et Sabine Bourachot (Team CMR) as well as myteammates for their trust and their kindness. A last thank you to my family, my loved oneswithout whom my mental strength would not be the same ».
It’s after a double stint that the driver Philippe Chatelet will pass the finish line at the headof the category to the Bentley 108 with 9 laps ahead of the Audi 26 Saintéloc Racing, making his input to the Victory in class AM and to the title of European Champion for CMR team.
Taking advantage of his performance to prepare as well as possible 2021 season, we hopeto find Philippe Chatelet for a complete season on GTWC…it remains to be seen in whichteam and with wich teammates…we wish him good luck !