ELMS @ 4 Hours of Imola 2022: LM GTE Race
Sarah Bovy with Ferrari 488 GTE EVO #83 managed to get first out of Tamburello curves but would soon be caught up by Al Harty with Aston Martin Vantage #69.
Both of them were closely followed by Ferrari 488 GTE Evo #66. The two Porsche #77 and #18 were following at a distance.
Slowly but surely, Al Harty was increasing the gap with Bovy who was holding firm on P2 while also progressively distancing JMW Motorsport Ferrari #66. The two Porsche were sticking together in P4 and 5 but the gap with the top 3 was increasing.
The LM GTE race went on like that until just one hour of racing when a safety car reduced all distances between the contenders to the number of LMP cars between them.
Porsche 911 RSR-19 #18 from Absolute Racing was gone after Andrew Haryanto crashed it and had to retire.
When the safety car let the horde go, Al Harty and Bovy took off with the Aston Martin Vantage #69 widening the gap with Ferrari 488 GTE EVO #83.
#95 Oman Racing Aston Martin Vantage took over #66 JMW Motorsport to become third followed by the Kessel Ferrari #57.
Before mid-race, Samuel de Haan took over from Al Harty and Rahel Frey from Sarah Bovy. We then saw the #83 AF Corse Ferrari hitting the tire barrier at Tamburello. Rahel Frey’s car suffered a slow puncture and the tire exploded. The rear bumper was heavily damaged but Rahel managed to get the car back to the garage for repair. When she rejoined, she lost a wheel in the pitlane… That was the end of a promising weekend for the Iron Dames after holding firm on P2 in free sessions, qualifications and the first part of the race. Huge disappointment for Rahel Frey.
The second part of the race in LM GTE was dominated by the two Aston Martin Vantage from Oman Racin by TF Sport. Sorensen crossed the checkered flag first in class with #69, after his teammate de Haan lost P1 to Jonny Adam with sister car #95.
John Hartshorne, Enrique Chavez and Jonathan Adam ended second giving the double to Oman Racing by TF Sport.
#55 Spirit of Race Ferrari of Cameron, Griffin and Perel classify third after #57 Kassel Racing was disqualified for a non-compliant rear diffuser.
