Under a bright and sweltering sun, the second race of the GT4 European Cup held during the French weekend saw a second consecutive Maserati Granturismo MC GT4 victory. Alessandro Pier Guidi won the race, while Matt Nicoll-Jones and Hunter Abott took a first podium in the IMS Ginetta. Championship leader Paul Meijer took third, despite a drive through and the Dutch Aston driver now has a comfortable lead in the championship as his main rival, Michael Mallock, was forced to retire in his RS Williams Aston Martin.

Fourth position went to Belgian debutants Ruben Maes and Enzo Ide in the DVB BMW M3 and Eric Charles was the best bronze driver in fifth, the best result so far for the new AUH Racing Team.  Rhesus Racing is leading the Team Championship.

The opening stages of the second race of the weekend were again very open. The MC Maserati, the IMS Ginetta, both Rhesus Astons, the RS Williams Aston and the RJN Nissan of Lucas Ordonnez put up a good show.

Alessandro Pier Guidi managed to keep the lead, “but it was not so easy. The car was good, but the conditions were terrible. It was very hot and the tyres suffered a lot. But anyway, I’m glad with this result and this proves that we did a good job with the car.”

Behind Pier Guidi, Paul Meijer received a drive through for crossing over the white line right after the start. “I’m a bit disappointed as nobody said anything during the drivers’ briefing, but ok, it’s not allowed. On the other hand, we still finish in third position and so we score good points for the championship and that’s very important.”

Matt Nicoll-Jones and Hunter Abott scored a well-deserved second place, the first podium for the blue Ginetta. “Naturally we’re very happy with this result, certainly as this was a very hard race with the heat and the very strong competition.”

Paul Meijer now leads the standings with 52 points, 14 more than Michael Mallock and 26 more than Matt Nicoll-Jones and Hunter Abott. In the team standings Rhesus Racing is first, with RS Williams and IMS Motorsport in second and third.

Last but not least, Athanasios Ladas took a second win of the season in Supersport, while Gianni Giudici is sill leading the championship.