Magny-Cours report

Fourth Round at the French Grand Prix -------------------------------------

Hat trick for Leader Collard, Photo Finish Decides Fight for Places

Emmanuel Collard from France drove the 15 lap sprint race on the 4.25 km track of Magny-Cours once again demonstrating his current superiority in the Porsche Pirelli SuperCup. The 25 years old Formula 1 test driver from Paris won the starting duel against reigning Champion Jean-Pierre Malcher (F, Larbre Competition) and never relinquished his lead, winning his third race in a row by a clear margin.

Behind the winner, Juergen von Gartzen (D, Oberbayern Motorsport) fought his way from sixth place to the top, finishing second after a perfect race. The 37 years old racing professional was pleased: "It was a fair fight against my team mate Patrick Huisman. He didn't just wave me through, but in the corner before the start/finish straight I took him by surprise."

Four drivers shot within one second of each other over the finish line behind Huisman. Frenchman Dominique Dupuy, Oliver Mathei (D, Manthey Racing) and Malcher battled for placings until the last metre. More than once the fighting roosters showed the frenetic spectators that some corners of the race track offer space enough for three 911's side by side. Frank Schmickler (D, Porsche Zentrum Koblenz) gave a remarkable "guest appearance" in the Porsche Pirelli SuperCup, finishing the race seventh. Duncan Huisman (NL, Oberbayern Motorsport), younger brother of Patrick, finished his premiere drive eighth, a good result for a first- timer. Reigning Carrera Cup Champion Harald Grohs (D, Manthey Racing) achieved tenth ahead of German newcomer Patrick Simon (D, Porsche Zentrum Koblenz) who, with a torn ligament in his right foot, finished the race admirably.

Luc Alphand experienced adventurous laps in his VIP Carrera with starting number 1. The ski racer, winner of the downhill bronze medal at the 1996 World Championship and double Downhill World Cup winner: "Immediately after the start, two cars spun just ahead of me. I hesitated and was immediately swarmed by Porsches. I simply braked to get some oversight again, and when the smoke cleared I drove constant lap times. As a Porsche novice I'm thrilled with my 24th place. Now I'll wait for the next invitation into the cockpit." French TV Star Christophe Dechavanne piloting the second VIP car, had less luck parking his 911 in the gravel trap after 14 laps.

Top ten results:

Pos     Driver                  Team                            Time
---------------------------------------------------------------------
 1      Emmanuel Collard/F      JMB Competition             26:36.291
 2      Juergen von Gartzen/D   Oberbayern Motorsport         + 6.135
 3      Patrick Huisman/NL      Oberbayern Motorsport           7.685
 4      Dominique Dupuy/F       D. Dupuy                        8.258
 5      Oliver Mathai/D         Manthey Racing                  8.430
 6      Jean Pierre Malcher/F   Larbre Competition              9.014
 7      Frank Schmickler        Porsche Zentrum Koblenz         9.932
 8      Duncan Huisman/NL       Porsche Zentrum Koblenz        20.699
 9      L. Rotzentvaig/F        L. Rotzentvaig                 21.797
10      Harald Grohs/D          Manthey Racing                 22.456

CHAMPIONSHIP:

Pos     Driver                  Pts
-----------------------------------
 1      Collard/F                87
 2      Malcher/F                64
 3      von Gartzen/D            62
 4      Mathai/D                 54
 5      Kelleners/D              45
 6      P. Huisman/NL            38
 7      Grohs/D                  26
 8      Becker/D                 23
 9      Farnbacher/D             22
10      Simon/D                  17