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Also the second crew Jan Šťovíček and Jakub Knoll did not left empty handed, as they scored points first points of the season in Saturday’s race. “For sure, it is positive that we improved our speed. We started from the first row to the Sunday’s race and without delayed pitstop we could have possibly won. On the other hand, two fast cars retired, so we also could have ended outside podium. Leonid put in a great performance and managed to fend off big pressure from a BMW in the closing laps. I am also pleased with the second crew, they again showed solid step forward,” said team owner Antonin Charouz.

Jarek Janiš and Leonid Machitski were among the favourites after the practices and especially Czech driver confirmed the position also in the qualifying after he set second best time just 27 thousands shy of pole position. First race started Machitski and the Czech-Russian duo lost time after the first corner melee where he was forced to go through the gravel. They pair did their best to move up during the race and salvaged 4 points thanks to 8th place. Janiš started Sunday’s race from the second place and kept the position in the opening laps. He moved to the lead on lap 10 and kept it till the mandatory stops. Unfortunately, the stop of the car #11 was not ideal and Machitski left the pitlane only second. The Russian driver did not put a foot wrong and held second to the flag. “It is an excellent result for us. Jarek did a great job in yesterday’s qualifying and we used it well today. We were little lucky when the first two cars ran into some trouble but on the other hand we lost lead due problems in the pits. Second place is great result for our team and we are delighted,” said happy Machitski. “I would rather not speak about the pitstop where we got stuck behind other car and this maybe cost us a win. I must thank the whole team and engineers for their work because we prepared very good car. I am really satisfied with podium result and I am also very happy for Leonid who put in a great performance today. It is great to have such a super result here, as it it close to the Czech Republic and many Czech fans were here,” added Janiš.

Jan Šťovíček with Jakub Knoll arrived at Slovakiaring with the aim to get close to points positions. Neither of them was happy with qualifying, both ended 26th in their group. They did much better in the first race and after strong finish ended 10th which means first championship point for them. They did not add more points on Sunday after a short trip in the gravel and ended 20th. “I am happy with the Saturday’s result because we showed that we are able to fight for points. We did not confirm it on Sunday but that is racing. I hope that we will score more points in the remaining races of the season,” declared Šťovíček. “First championship point from the Saturday’s race is very important for us because we fulfilled our main aim. Our setup helped a lot as it was easy on tyres and we were able to overtake some rivals just before the end of the race. Sunday was not as good because I did a mistake on lap 11 and went to gravel, I am sorry about that. I hope to do better next time,” added Knoll.

Slovakian driver Filip Sládečka racing for German Heico Motorsport wanted to show best performance on his home ground and he definitely managed that on Saturday. Twenty years old driver from Nitra set 6th time in the qualifying and did even better in the race where he moved to the lead. His team-mate Patrick Hirschi was unable to hold it and they finished 5th. Sládečka was unlucky on Sunday as Hirschi had to retire before the drivers change after a collision.

For current photos in high-resolution please visit the media web site of BPA sport marketing agency – media.bpa.cz

The Gravity-Charouz Racing team 2011 FIA GT3 media guide to find HERE

FIA GT3 CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 SCHEDULE

06-08/05  Algarve
03-05/06  Silverstone
01-03/07  Navarra
15-17/07  Paul Ricard
20-21/08  Slovakia Ring
14-16/10  Zandvoort

USEFUL LINKS:

Official websites of team   www.racing.charouz.cz
Official websites of  Jarek Janiš  www.jarek-janis.cz
Official websites of Jakub Knoll   www.jakubknoll.com
Official websites of  FIA GT3   www.gt3europe.com
Official websites of  BPA sport marketing www.bpa.cz