Engstler Motorsport Dominates Valencia GT Winter Series
The Valencia round of the GT Winter Series saw Engstler Motorsport’s Lamborghini claim a pair of race wins, marking a significant achievement for the team. The competition was intense, with multiple incidents and dramatic turns that kept spectators on the edge of their seats. The opening sprint race on Saturday was particularly memorable, as it was red-flagged due to a major collision involving AF Corse Cup 1 entrant Talal Shair and Mertel Motorsport’s Oscar Ryndziewicz. Shair’s car was pushed into the wall and then into fellow AF Corse entrant Sven Schomer, resulting in significant damage that sidelined Shair for the rest of the weekend.
A Strong Start and a Dramatic Finish
At the restart, Juliano Holzem led the field in an Evo-spec BMW, a car yet to be homologated but already proving its mettle. He was closely followed by Matisse Lismont, driving the Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Evo. Despite the pressure from Lismont, Holzem managed to maintain his lead and secure his first win in a GT3 BMW. Lismont finished second, winning the GT3 class, while Jonas Karklys, driving the Engstler Motorsport Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo II, took third overall and claimed the GT3 Pro class victory.
Engstler’s Resilience and Return
The second sprint race on Sunday morning was no less eventful. Luca Engstler, making his return to the track after sustaining injuries at Macau in November, started from pole position. An early multi-car collision at Turn 1 involving Moritz Wiskirchen, Rafael Suzuki, Alberto Duran, and Joachim Bolting added to the drama. Engstler, however, managed to maintain his lead through the safety car period and went on to take the victory. Juliano Holzem finished in second, and Goncalo Araujo, driving the Araujo Competicao Ferrari, took third.
Strategic Pit Stops and Intense Battles
The third and final race of the weekend saw Jonas Karklys start from pole in the Engstler Lamborghini, followed by Holzem and Kobe Pauwels in third. Karklys pitted early during the mandatory 10-minute pit stop window, while Holzem was one of the last to pit, handing the Schubert BMW over to his twin brother Sandro. Sandro exited the pits in the lead, with Engstler in second. As the race entered the final 20 minutes, Engstler was just under four seconds behind Holzem. Traffic played a crucial role in the ensuing battle, with Engstler using it to his advantage to overtake Holzem at Turn 5. Engstler eventually claimed the overall and GT3 Pro class victory, with the Holzem family BMW in second and the Comtoyou Racing duo of Kobe Pauwels and Matisse Lismont in third.
Dominance in the GT4 Class
In the GT4 class, SR Motorsport’s Jay Mo Hartling took the victory in the opener, followed by Enrico Forderer in race two. The pair continued their strong performance in the third race, securing a clean sweep by finishing 9.6 seconds ahead of Tom Lebbon and McKenzy Cresswell of Elite Motorsport. The consistency and teamwork of Hartling and Forderer were evident, highlighting their dominance in the GT4 category.
A Weekend of Thrills and Challenges
The Valencia round of the GT Winter Series was a testament to the skill, resilience, and strategic prowess of the teams and drivers involved. Engstler Motorsport’s double victory in the GT3 class, coupled with the dominance of Hartling and Forderer in the GT4 class, made for a thrilling weekend of motorsport. The series continues to showcase the best of competitive driving, with each race bringing new challenges and exciting moments.
