RML Motorsport

28/05/2008

SLR 722 GT TROPHY KICKS OFF IN CELEBRITY STYLE

BORIS BECKER, MIKA HAKKINEN, KLAUS LUDWIG AT RML'S FIRST SLR 722 GT EVENT AT LE CASTELLET

The red carpet was well and truly out for RML's first ever SLR GT Trophy event at the Paul Ricard circuit at Le Castellet in southern France on 23-24 May, with tennis champion and now TV presenter Boris Becker, two-time F1 champion Mika Hakkinen and DTM champion Klaus Ludwig all present.

Mercedes-Benz Motorsport president Norbert Haug and board member Mr Meyer were also on hand to experience and admire the real stars of the show – RML's 722 GT race cars, being campaigned in anger for the first time in the exclusive new SLR GT Trophy pro/owner race series.

After Boris and the two Mercedes-Benz executives had enjoyed their 'taxi rides' around the circuit, with Mika at the wheel, it was time to get down to some serious – but fun – racing.

The 'GT Trophy Pros' taking part in the SLR GT Trophy were Klaus Ludwig, two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner, FIA GT champion and DTM champion; McLaren Automotive's chief test driver Chris Goodwin; Swiss car racer and TV personality Christina Surer; and RML's own Michael Mallock.

The four 'GT Trophy Owners' competing at Le Castellet were Klaas Hummel, Braco Radovanović, H  ans Steiger and Peter Muller.

After two days of driver training, circuit & car familiarisation and practice sessions, four Trophy Pros and four Trophy Owners lined up for the warm-up sessions on a dry but cloudy Race Day. After all drivers had reported themselves happy with their car setups, it was time for Qualifying.

Chris Goodwin set a blistering pole position time of 1:32.7, with Michael Mallock also putting in an excellent lap time despite a problem with the brakes. As expected, Klaus Ludwig was also right on the pace, and a happy Christina Surer set her personal best during Qualifying, improving by almost 2.5 sec on the previous day. All four owner-drivers were delighted with the pace they were able to set in comparison to the professionals – confirmation that the 722 GT has answered its brief to be an 'easy' car to drive for non-pros.

Qualifying Times

GT Trophy Pros                            GT Trophy Owners

Pole  C Goodwin 1:32.7                  Pole K Hummel 1:36.3

2nd K Ludwig 1:32.9                       2nd B  Radovanović 1  :36.5

3rd M Mallock 1:33.0                       3rd P Muller 1:40.5

4th C Surer 1:35.8                          4th H Steiger 1:41.2

Race 1

A spin on lap 3 saw Chris rejoin the pack at the back, recovering to 3rd postion. Klaus drove a great race, using his wealth of sportscar experience to keep ahead of Michael and take the first SLR 722 GT Trophy win of the season. 

Of the Trophy Owners, Klaas led from start to finish in a very mature drive but was under pressure from Hans throughout. After a great battle Peter and Braco both had to retire with minor shakedown issues.

Results Race 1

GT Trophy Pros                            GT Trophy Owners

1st K Ludwig                                   1st K Hummel

2nd M Mallock                                 2nd H Steiger

Race 2

A great start to race 2 with Chris leading Michael, followed closely by Klaus.  Soon the top two had pulled clear of Klaus, but a puncture put Chris in for a pit stop. He eventually finished 3rd. Michael maintained his comfortable lead over Klaus to take his first win of the 722 series. Sadly Christina's car (sidelined in the previous race by an exhaust problem) wasn't repaired in time to make the grid. 

In the Owners' race, Braco took the pole position from the reverse grid, Braco made full use of a good start and pulled away. Klaas starting from third managed to catch and pass Steiger before heading off after Baco. Unfortunately for Braco, his car developed a small problem causing him to lose time and have to pit. Klaas went on to win his second race of the day with Steiger coming home in second.

Results Race 2

GT Trophy Pros                            GT Trophy Owner

1st M Mallock                                  1st K Hummel

2nd K Ludwig                                  2nd H Steiger

3rd C Goodwin                                3rd B  Radovanović 

'The car was awesome to drive,' said Klaas Hummel. 'The team did a great job, so thank you to them. It's been an enjoyable experience and I'm really looking forward to the next race.'

After receiving their own taxi rides, several more potential owner-drivers are now showing strong interest in the series. There is a strict limit of 21 race cars being built by RML under SLR Project Manager Paul Field.

'The weekend was very valuable as it showed us that the SLR GT Trophy format of amateurs working with professionals really does work,' said Paul. 'All the Trophy Owners have made big steps forward in a very short time. Klaas has come down from a 1:44 to a 1:36 after just three runs in the car.'

 

Notes to editors:

RML was founded by Ray Mallock in 1984.

RML Group comprises six divisions; Motorsport, Automotive, Engines, Historic, Events and X-Pro.

Based in Northamptonshire, England, the company's 4,300 square metre facility includes full design, development, manufacturing and operational support for automotive engineering projects.

RML has achieved success throughout motorsport categories including GT/sportscars, touring cars, rally cars, single seaters and oval speedway cars. In 2008 RML is again competing in the FIA World Touring Car Championship, the Le Mans 24 Hours, and will defend their LMP2 Le Mans Series title. Last year RML produced the spectacular Mercedes-Benz Mclaren SLR 722 GT. 

RML work together with a number of specialist official suppliers and technical partners including Autoglym - www.autoglym.co.uk, Beissbarth UK - www.beissbarth.co.uk, DuPont Refinish - www.dupontrefinish.com and Chicago Pneumatic - www.cp.com.

More information on RML is available at www.rmlmallock.co.uk

For further information please contact RML:

Chris Burke-Martin, Sales and Marketing Manager

Tel:  +44 (0) 1933 402440 

Email: chrisbm@rmlmallock.co.uk

 

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