Wendlinger/Sharp claim victory in Hungarian thriller

Karl Wendlinger and Ryan Sharp claim victory for the K-plus-K-Motorsport team, bringing their Saleen S7 home at the Hungaroring ahead of the two Vitaphone-Maseratis of Bartels/Bertolini and Pier Guidi/Bobbi. Victory in GT2 class goes to Richard Westbrook and Emmanuel Collard with the Prospeed Competition Porsche, followed by Gianmaria Bruni/Toni Vilander with the AF COrse Ferrari and Matteo Malucelli/Paolo Ruberti with the BMS Scuderia Italia Ferrari.

The second hour starts with the announcement of a drive-through penalty for Michael Bartels in the number 1-Vitaphone Maserati for speeding in the pitlane. At the end of lap 37, the German comes in for his penalty and rejoins just ahead of Roberto Streit, who is fourth. That promotes Matteo Bobbi with the number 33-Maserati to second place while Ryan Sharp remains in the lead.

In GT2, there is an exciting battle between Kirkaldy in the number 56-CRS Racing Ferrari,  Marco Holzer in the number 61-Prospeed Porsche and Luiz Perez in the number 95-Pecom Ferrari. In lap 47, Hezemans came in for the second stop of the Pekaracing Carsport team, handing over the steering wheel for the final stint to team-mate Anthony Kumpen. One lap later, the leading Saleen comes in with Wendlinger taking over again from Ryan Sharp. The number 1-Maserati pits on lap 49. Andrea Bertolini takes over from Michael Bartels for the remaining 30 minutes.

With 30 minutes to go, Matteo Bobbi is leading in the number 33-Vitaphone Maserati from Tomas Biagi in the Luc Alphand-Corvette, but the two both have to make their second stop. Third is Wendlinger from Bertolini, Lacko, Hezemans and Bernoldi. The Dutch and Brazilian Corvette drivers are engaged in a hard fight for sixth place for a couple of laps. On lap 53, the number 59-Trackspeed Porsche is stuck alongside the track with David Ashburn behind the wheel. The leading GT2 car, the Prospeed-Porsche with Collard driving, comes in on lap 53. Westbrook takes over for the final 23 minutes.

On lap 52, Bobbi stops and hands the Vitaphone-Maserati back to Pier Guidi while Biagi made way for Maassen in the Luc Alphand-Corvette. GT2 leader is Holzer, but he still has to come in for a second stop. Best-placed GT2 driver already having made two stops is Bruni in the number 50-AF Corse Ferrari, followed by Westbrook and Ruberti. Lacko pits on lap 59 and there seems to be a bigger problem on the Saleen that is being pushed into the pit box.

Maassen is under massive pressure from Bernoldi in the battle of two Corvettes. On lap 66, Bernoldi finds a way past courtesy of a better exit of the final corner.

After 67 laps, Karl Wendlinger crosses the finish line as the winner of the race, finishing ahead of the two Vodaphone Maseratis of Bertolini and Pier Guidi. Bernoldi is fourth as the best-placed driver with a Corvette. On the final lap, GT2 is decided by a courageous move by Richard Westbrook. He pulls to the inside under braking for the first corner and takes the lead from Gimmi Bruni. Then Westbrook drives the class win home, winning from Bruni and Ruberti.

Race winner Karl Wendlinger commented: "The opening stage was already dramatic. When Alex missed his braking point, we went off and then I had another off trying to avoid the swerving Luc Alphand Corvette. I had some misfires and even a fuel alarm, so already thought it was over, but the car continued and we won!"