Florent Cazalot wins again
Second place battle until the last lap
Vivid races in the GDS, H-1965, H-1971 and H-1976 classes
After yesterday's lively race, the eclectic Historic Endurance field once again delighted the many spectators who filled the grandstands at the Circuit de Pau-Ville in the morning for the last day of the Pau Classic Grand Prix with 45 minutes of pure entertainment under the motto "Relaxed Historic Racing".
As yesterday, Florent Cazalot (Lotus Seven) took off from his pursuers in the early stages of the race, while Vasco Nina (Porsche 911 2.8 RS) did not risk going after the winner of the first race, but kept a comfortable margin on Savinien Legeleux (Lotus Seven). Behind the front trio, there was a curious battle between the leaders of the H-1971 and H-1965 categories, Joaquim Soares (Lotus Elan) and Damien Kohler (Lotus Elan), with the French driver getting the better of them before the yellow flag period.
As the race was fast approaching its first half, a period of yellow flags, caused by an accident with no consequences for Peter Tognola (Porsche 911), brought the whole field together and forced all the teams to bring forward their pit stops.
Lot of action in H-1965, H-1971 and H-1976 classes
Fourteen minutes remained when the green flags came out again in the streets of Pau. Florent Cazalot took the opportunity to reapply his formula - taking advantage of the clear track to attack hard and not getting too carried away when overtaking slower competitors - to take his second win of the weekend.
Vasco Nina had no way to fight with the winner of the GTP & SC class, because his goal was different and was to win once again among the competitors of the H-1976 class. However, in the final moments of the race, the Aurora Motorsport driver was forced to use his credentials to hold the offensive of the youngest of the Legeleux family, who ended up third to cross the finish line and second among the GTP & SC. The category podium was again completed by the duo of João Mira Gomes and Nuno Afoito, driving the Lotus Seven of the Centro Clássico, while Paulo Rompante (Alfa Romeo Ti Super), fourth in the Grand Touring Prototype and Sport Cars class, had a superb race from back to front, climbing twenty-five positions!
Former FIA WEC driver Paul Daniels (Porsche 911 RSR) finished again second in the H-1976 class.
Damien Kohler (Lotus Elan) was fourth to take the chequered flag, which was a splendid result for the H-1965 category winner. The quick French driver was involved in several battles during the race, but really had to push hard as Japan's Katsu Kobota (Lotus Elan) was stronger opposition today, taking the chequered flag in sixth place. Per-Ake Forsvall (Lotus Elan) completed his journey from Scandinavia to the Pyrenees-Atlantic with another third place finish.
In his debut in the streets of Pau, Joaquim Soares (Lotus Elan) repeated his triumph in the H-1971 category. The Portuguese driver saw his main opponent, the Ford Escort RS 1600 of his compatriots Miguel Ferreira/Francisco Carvalho retire prematurely due to a steering problem and, after a fierce battle with Damien Kohler, he concentrated on securing this H-1971 win. Discreet but efficient, Franck Biraben (Porsche 911 R) was second, while Manuel de la Torre (Porsche 914/6), the best of the Spanish contingent, obtained a well-deserved third place, as a result of a driving style which was often close to the limit.
Super-fast Austin Mini wins GDS class
The Austin Mini Cooper S of David Barrere/Philippe Quiriere once again provided a unique spectacle, winning the Gentlemen Driver Spirit (GDS) class with ease, crossing the finish line in seventh. The French duo had different company at the podium ceremony this time, with Robin Ellis powering the dynamic Lotus Elite over the Simon Hutson/Stephen Monk Porsche 911 Type 901. Local Michel Mora (Porsche 911 SWB) didn't want to miss out on a podium place that eluded him yesterday, but a penalty for not respecting the mandatory pit stop time limits catapulted him from second to fourth in a class that had a record number of entries this weekend.
After this extraordinary Pau Classic Grand Prix event, the Historic Endurance continues on another iconic track, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps. On the weekend of 25 and 26 June, in the magnificent Ardennes region, another edition of the 3 Hours of Spa will be held.
