2005 CIK-FIA EUROPEAN FA-SICC-ICC CHAMPIONSHIPS
MARIEMBOURG, JUNE 24TH/25TH/26TH, 2005

LAUDATO, A EUROPEAN CHAMPION

THE ITALIAN BIREL MOTORSPORT DRIVER WON HIS 4TH CONTINENTAL VICTORY SECURING THE FIRST PRESTIGE TITLE FOR THE LISSONE MANUFACTURER IN 2005. BIREL COLOURS HELD SWAY IN THE 100 FA, TOO (LANCASTER AND CESETTI TOOK ONE VICTORY EACH) AND STAKED A CLAIM ON THE ICC TITLE WITH ERIK JANIS.

The 2nd round of the European Championship of the FA, Sicc and Icc categories run in Belgium on the Mariembourg track confirmed the Birel colours at the top in all racing classes. Francesco Laudato earned his 4th continental victory in the Sicc (the title was awarded in two tests), Lancaster and Cesetti were the absolute protagonists in Formula A and Janis, winning Race 1 and making it to the 3rd podium step in Race 2, has basically staked a claim on the title of the Icc category. The optimism displayed by the Birel staff before the Mariembourg appointment was rewarded, and if on one hand, Laudato’s success was fairly predictable, the great competitiveness attained in FA went beyond any expectation. In view of the last continental appointment in Muro Leccese and, above all, of the World Championship in Braga, actually many further technical novelties will be introduced both in relation to engines and chassis. However, the primary mark to hit during the Mariembourg weekend was certainly that of securing yet another continental victory in the Sicc category, yet another prestigious title, the first goal to attain in 2005. And thanks to the excellent job done by Birel technicians, Tm engineers and all the other technical partners, Francesco Laudato’s talent could express itself once more at top levels. For the Cava dei Tirreni driver, this is the 4th continental victory, which follows in his record several National titles and the world championship of 1999. Laudato arrived to Belgium relying on his two successes earned at the first appointment of Angerville, and already in Race 1 he was able to wrap up the issue about the title. His direct rivals were his teammate Gandolfi and Cozzaglio, but already during the qualifiers both seemed to be penalized by their tyres. Thus, Laudato could be satisfied with a riskless 5th place in Race 1, enough to become European Champion. Both his potential rivals, in fact, ended the race after him: Gandolfi in 10th position and Cozzaglio even in 16th. This is an important success for Birel, a success that gives continuity to a supremacy confirmed across the past few years, a success that consolidates an uncontested leadership in a worldwide strategic market segment. The first title at stake in 2005 was won, and in all probabilities Birel chassis will play a leading role also in the World Championship on schedule in Sarno for next September. Having conquered the title in Race 1, which, as far as the results are concerned, was won by Benedetti ahead of Toninelli and Pecasse, in Race 2 Laudato could run without having to weigh pros and cons and without any psychological burden. The result was a clear-cut victory, won with 5” lead on Benedetti. Unfortunately, the clerks of the course reported an early start and penalized the new European champion by 10”. Carette and Cozzaglio had the same ill fortune, but, to tell the truth, it has to be pointed out that the first row started too early as well. However, within the overall context of the event and the celebrations for the success achieved, these aspects become less important. The penalization cost Laudato a relegation to the 10th position and, above all, granted success to Benedetti, who therefore conquered a 2nd place in the Championship. Ennio Gandolfi was affected by tyre problems all through the weekend, ending Race 2 in the 9th position. The only small gratification for Gandolfi is that of having been the first Bridgestone driver both in Race 1 and Race 2. In Formula A, after the qualifying heats, Ardigò and Breysse made it to the first row in the grid and Englishman Jon Lancaster to the third position. Sauro Cesetti qualified mid-group for Race 1 in consequence of the breaking of a reed in the first heat. However, the Italian and the entire Birel staff reported high performances for the latest technical innovations introduced (in the other two heats, Cesetti conquered a 1st and a 2nd place). During the race, this self-consciousness fostered a wonderful recovery, which led the Italian from the 17th to the final 6th position, running also the fastest race lap. And but for a few precious seconds lost in a close encounter with Gatto during his comeback, he would have probably been able to aspire to a place on the podium, too. Anyway, another official Birel driver did climb the podium’s top step: Jon Lancaster. The Englishman first overtook Breysse, then Ardigò, and succeeded in holding the lead of the race until the chequered flag, proving to have attained a great maturity. Hot on the heels of the Birel driver, Frenchman Breysse and Marco Ardigò, while Birel Pf International team driver Gary Catt ended 4th after a superb race. Thonon finished 5th ahead of Cesetti and the other driver of the Pf International team Litchfield. In Race 2, Lancaster took the lead and was reached by Cesetti after a few laps, during which the latter overtook Thonon, Breysse and finally Ardigò. As both Lancaster and Cesetti took control of the race, they left the others behind without troubling each other, and then tried to knock each other off after outdistancing Ardigò. Cesetti succeeded in overtaking his teammate earning his first victory in the season and, above all, winning a fantastic Birel double. This result is the consequence of an intense development process that will help Birel to play the leading role in all the domestic and international events until the end of the season. Ardigò finished his race third, still leading the championship with 61 points. However, Lancaster follows with only 13 points less, while Cesetti climbed to the 5th position with 39 points. The final weekend of the European Championship scheduled in Muro Leccese for August 20th is going to be too good to be missed. Also, because during the same weekend, apart from having the right credentials for winning the Formula A title, the Birel colours might score a sort of great slam in karting conquering also the victory in the 125 Icc. With one victory and a 3rd place in Mariembourg, Erik Janis is actually leading the temporary results with 77 points, as many as 22 points ahead of his teammate Lavanant. The victory in Race 2 went to Albertini, while among Birel drivers the most outstanding was German Maik Kraske of the Solgat team (3rd in Race 1 and 6th in Race 2).

THE BIREL DRIVERS’ COMMENTS:

Francesco Laudato: “Our aim was to settle the question right away in Race 1, and we managed running a prudent race without taking unnecessary chances. The technical aspects worked out perfectly, in relation to the chassis as well as regarding engine and tyres. We succeeded in expressing our potential at best in Race 2, obviously, when I could enter the track without having to take too many things into consideration. I knew that in order to win the 2nd race I had to make a virtually perfect start, but unfortunately I spurted a bit too early. This episode, however, does not lessen our joy for having won yet another success as a team. It’s pointless to say, now, that we will do our best to win also the World Cup scheduled in Sarno, my home track, where I will certainly be even more motivated to run an excellent race.”

Sauro Cesetti: “The technical problem during the 1st heat penalized my performance in Race 1; in fact, if I had been able to start just from a few positions further ahead, I could have made it to the podium. In Race 1 I had some problems also in overtaking Gatto, whereas in Race 2 everything went smooth: in a few laps I caught up with Jon and then, together, we gained some ground on Ardigò. In the second part of the race, I was slightly faster than him, so that I could overtake him and win a wonderful victory. This success is the result of the excellent teamwork done at Birel, it is brought about by a method that leads us to work well on all fronts, from the group chassis – tyres up to the engine. Our work will go ahead following a plan that is already drawn up and very challenging, which, I think, will persuade us to introduce still some other significant innovations towards the end of the season, so as to be at the top on the occasion of the World Cup in Braga. I am happy also because all Birel drivers are profiting from our growth - just think of the fact that after the qualifying heats as many as 7 Birel drivers were among the first 20.”

Jon Lancaster: ”Mariembourg is a course where I feel perfectly at ease, also because I have run so many races here in the past, taking part in the Belgian championship. I must say that from the technical point of view we have an excellent potential: the chassis has proved to be very efficient, displaying an excellent adaptability to the track variations, which were particularly marked over the weekend. Also in relation to engines we are among the fastest, and this makes me optimistic about taking my chances at Muro Leccese.”

Ennio Gandolfi: “Laudato proved that we were at the top both regarding chassis and engines. Exactly like the other Birel drivers, such as Wouters or Carette, who did very well. The only difference between me and them were the tyres: my Bridgestone tyres were not as performing as their Vega’s. I think Cozzaglio, too, was penalized by this matter. Now we are focusing on the World Cup: it is going to be my last race and I would love to end my career the best possible way.”