Superleague Formula

Zolder Set To Test Superleague’s Best

2 Mins read

The Superleague Formula by Sonangol will arrive at the legendary Zolder circuit in Belgium this weekend for the sixth round of the series. With 3 races being run in Superleague, The second race starting with a fully reversed grid from the first races results, and a Super Final 5 lap race for the six highest scoring drivers from the previous races keeps the championship close and the racing closer.

With 50 points up for grabs for a race win and everyone driving the same spec cars, the title is still anyone's and the results at Nurburgring last time out just go to show that. With a different winner in each of the 3 races and the championship leading Tottenham Hotspur car driven by Craig Dolby suffering some poor results by his standard, allowed the chasing pack to close the championship points gap.

Dolby suffered a lack of traction during qualifying which left him at the back of the grid for race one. A tenth place and a sixth in race two were good damage limitation but not enough for him to make it into the Super Final Shootout. This handed an opportunity to Yelmer Buurman in the AC Milan car to capitalise on the Dolby's poor points haul. An opportunity Buurman took with gusto by winning the first race from fourth on the grid. A good Eighth place in race two after starting at the back due to the fully reversed grid, meant a place in the final Shootout Race.

Race two saw Alvaro Parente take the spoils in the FC Porto Car, capitalising on a second place grid slot after retiring from race one with a misfire on lap 12. However this was not enough for him to line up in the Final race. These places were filled by Franck Perera for Flamenco, Tristan Gommendy for Galatasaray, Max Wissel with FC Basel, Yelmer Buurman for AC Milan, Anderlecht's Davide Rigon and Chris Van Der Drift in the Olympiacos car.

With Franck Perera Stalling at the start of race 3 and Gommendy being handed a post race penalty of 25 seconds for leaving the pitlane late, Van Der Drift took the Flag for Olympiacos with Rigon 2nd and Buurman 3rd.

So heading to Belgium the Anderlecht team run by Azerti will be looking to build on their strong performances in front of their home fans. With the Italian Davide Rigon at the wheel who has achieved two race wins and four other podium finishes this season, along with a win at Zolder in 2008, the odds of a race win for the team, who are based only a few miles from the circuit, seem to be stacked in their favour.

But, Dolby will be looking to tighten his grip on the Championship lead at a track he knows well having driven in the Belgium junior formulae and taking his first Superleague win here last year. The Championship leader is looking forward to the challenge having declared his love for the place and the excitement it brings.

Unfortunately, one team who won't be at Zolder this weekend is the Olympique Lyonnais team run buy LRS and driven by Ex Formula 1 driver Sebastien Bourdais. The team were hotly tipped at the start of the season to take the championship this year, but despite a win at Silverstone in round one, they have experienced a number of problems which has seen them drop to 17th in the standings. In a bid to overcome these problems the French outfit has therefore decided to miss the next round to work on improving reliability and hope to be back soon challenging for the podium places.

Everything is set for what should be an exciting and close fought event and fans can watch the races streamed live on the web thanks to the Superleague Formula's online service. Just head over to www.superleagueformula.com.

66 posts

About author
Chris Gurton is the official photographer for TheCheckeredFlag.co.uk Visit his Website at: http://www.chrisgurtonphotography.com his blog: http://www.tracksideviews.com and follow him on Twitter: @ChrisGurton
Articles
Related posts
Superleague Formula

Dolby And Martin Win Zolder Races, Vervisch Takes The Money

3 Mins read
Craig Dolby and John Martin scored a victory each in the Superleague Formula races at Zolder, while local man Frederic Vervisch scooped…
Open WheelSuperleague Formula

Craig Dolby Takes Superleague Pole At Zolder

2 Mins read
Craig Dolby has claimed pole position for tomorrow's Superleague Formula races at Zolder after beating Chris van der Drift in a rain-affected…
Open WheelSuperleague Formula

Mikhail Aleshin Joins Superleague Formula Grid

1 Mins read
Mikhail Aleshin will race in Superleague Formula from the next round of the season at Zolder on July 16/17. The Russian will…