FIA GT Championship

Jarek dedicates win to Edouard Michelin

© DPPI

Jarek Janis dedicated his win, on the Michelin-shod Zakspeed Saleen, to the late Mr Edouard Michelin, Chairman of Michelin, who died in a tragic boating accident in France earlier this weekend. "I would like to thank Michelin because the tyres were very good, and we would like to dedicate this win to Mr Michelin," the talented 22-year-old Czech driver said. The top two cars in this weekend’s race were using Michelin tyres, with the leading Pirelli car in third position.
After finishing as the runners-up in Silverstone, Zakspeed Racing’s duo of Jarek Janis and Sascha Bert dominated the second round of the FIA GT Championship. Their nr 9 Saleen S7 was fastest in free practice; Jarek Janis claimed pole position, as well as the fastest race lap, and last, but by no means least, Bert and Janis won the race, finishing over a minute ahead of their nearest rivals, the Phoenix Racing Aston Martin DBR9.

Phoenix was the only other car to lead the race, Andrea Piccini having taken the lead at the start, holding Janis back for the first 13 laps. "This weekend is like a dream comes true. I’m really happy to be here in the first place." Jarek said. Sascha Bert was equally delighted. "During the winter nobody was thinking about us, but I have a great team-mate, Jarek did a great job, and it is fantastic to be here, in this press conference, in the middle of the table! We are leading the Championship, so I hope we can carry on and do a good result at the next race. With such a team, and partners, and Michelin tyres, it is possible to have more good results!"

The duo has taken the lead of the GT1 Drivers Classification, three points ahead of Silverstone winners Bertolini and Bartels, while Zakspeed is now joint second in the GT1 Teams Classification. In the Manufacturers’ Cup, Saleen has already more points after two races, than they scored in the whole 2005 season. The last Saleen victory in the FIA GT Championship was in Imola 2004, when Vitaphone Racing’s duo of Bartels and Alzen claimed the win.