After the LMP3 race held on Saturday, it was time for the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 of Team Virage to take part to the Ultimate Cup Series show on the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia for Sunday’s race.
On the #94, aka Vesper Lynd, we saw a brand new line up composed by Mexican Rally driver Jose Antonio Ledesma, Polish gentleman driver Marcin Fedyna and Virage’s team manager, Algerian Julien Gerbi, who was back in car race for the first time since 2009.
After some pretty positive Free practices, the qualifying went well with Gerbi scoring the 7th fastest time overall and the fastest lap in GT4 category. Due to the average of all drivers, the #94 started the 4h race from the 9th place, second in GT4 class.
It was Ledesma who was the first behind the wheel for the start. Making his way back up the field, he brought back “Vesper Lynd” in 7th place, leading the GT4 class. Thanks to this effort, Fedyna who was up next, could start his stints in a great position.
Gerbi was next, and after two hours of racing the good place was maintained. With still two more hours left it was important to keep up the good pace that the car had shown during the race. All the pitstops went smooth and fast, courtesy of the great teamwork of the complete Virage staff, and the following stints by Ledesma and Fedyna helped the #94 to hold on the victory contention.
With only 30 more minutes to go, Fedyna got out of the car for the last time and handed it over to Gerbi. Even though he had not been competing in a motorsport race for over ten years, he immediately found back his former speed leading the #94 back to the first place. Finally, it was the Algerian driver who drove the car past the chequered flag on this place.
A well celebrated victory – the first one with the Aston Martin for Team Virage – who was witnessed by friends and family who joined the drivers and the team during this home race.