Zolder Historic GP – Lurani Trophy Round 3
2nd – 3rd July 2022
It was Australia on top again, with mixed fortunes amongst the others.
Friday’s rain cleared and the sun broke through for a scorching weekend in Zolder.
Qualifying on Saturday morning saw Adrian Russell in his Lotus 22 as clear poleman, with Red Bull winner Marty Bullock second in his yellow Wren and Martin Aubert, with his best ever Lurani position, starting the race in third.
Unfortunately it was a short weekend (on track) once again for Lars-Göran Sjöberg, this time the camshaft snapped, and also for Gunther Leidig, who suffered engine failure.
An hour prior to the afternoon race Adrian discovered a broken donut ring, but managed to get a replacement on in time to line up on pole. However it was short lived, as a new driveshaft rotoflex joint only lasted 4 laps.
Marty took a resounding win from there on in, with a delighted Martin Aubert taking his first even Lurani podium in second place in his Lotus 20, and a heat exhausted Pierre Guichard joined them on the third step.
There was still some great racing in the pack between the front-engined cars of Erik Justesen (U2 Mk2) and Tom De Gres (Stanguellini), which ran until the last lap, with Tom taking it at the flag after Erik had a moment ahead of the finish.
Sunday’s Race 2 was a second chance for Adrian, back on pole again, and it looked like he was going to come good, until he was called in for a drive through penalty for jumping the start, as were Guichard and Justesen, leaving him to play catch up until the flag, finishing 12 seconds adrift of Marty at the end. Aubert was once again on the podium, in third this time.
Unfortunately for local man Tom De Gres, an error call from race control had him sidelined by a marshal at the start, and the race was 10 laps in by the time it was resolved, so he sadly watched from the pits.
A small grid by Lurani standards but still full of the usual friendship, camaraderie, hospitality and help over the weekend, and with over 30 entries already for the Oldtimer GP at the Nurburgring next month, there’s lots more to look forward too!