Spielberg, July 22nd 2018. It seemed that everything was heading in the right direction for the Oregon Team and, lining up for the third round of the European Le Mans Series at Red Bull Ring, the expectations were positive right from the start with a great seventh place secured in qualifying. The team’s Norma M3 LMP3 car performed well in the hands of its regular trio of drivers, featuring Riccardo Ponzio, Clément Mateu, and Andrés Méndez.
Last year, the Austrian venue had already proved positive for the French-built sportscar and, with Ponzio behind the wheel, the team led by Jerry Canevisio and Giorgio Testa was cruising around the eighth place.
Unfortunately, then two LMP2 cars made contact at the end of the front straight, and one of them ended up crashing in the Oregon Team’s Norma, which was being driven by Mateu at that time. The Frenchman managed to come back to the pits despite a damaged suspension, and the team did their utmost to fix the car. Mateu was able to rejoin the race, and let the wheel to Méndez, but at that point, they were 10 laps behind.
Although the result was jeopardized, the team is aware of the great combination between the car and its drivers.
“We were extremely competitive and that’s confirmed by the fact that we set the sixth fastest lap of the race – said Canevisio – It’s a pity for what happened especially considering that we had no fault whatsoever. Unfortunately, bad things like these can happen in racing, and this time it was our turn.”
The goal is now to bounce back in the next round set for August 18th at the British venue of Silverstone. Then the series will head for the two final rounds of the year at Spa-Francorchamps and Portimão..
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photo free – credits MorAle/LR Photo
