Monaco Report

Second Round at the Monaco Grand Prix -------------------------------------

Run-Away Victory For Patrick Huisman - Ex-F1 Pilot Jarier Second

Monaco. Patrick Huisman (PCA-Manthey Racing) from the Netherlands drove with unwavering concentracion to take a well-deserved victory at the second round of this year's Porsche Pirelli SuperCup. The reigning champion had to contend with difficult circuit conditions with oil and water cooler liquid from an accident on the narrow 3.328 km street circuit. "I'm delighted with my win here. It's every race drivers dream to win in Monaco. I reckon I found the optimal line, which is rather unusual but obviously excellent." Huisman takes over as points leader.

Ex-Formula 1 pilot Jean-Pierre Jarier proved he still clearly has the knack. Replacing injured driver/team boss Dominique Dupuy from the French MMI team, Jarier fought from sixth on the grid to elbow his way into second, past Germany's Altfrid Heger (Porsche Zentrum Koblenz/ Zakspeed) in the 13th of 16 laps. Said Heger: "In the first few laps I gave my tyres a workout trying to keep up with Patrick Huisman and defending my position against Jarier. Later I simply couldn't hold Jarier off because my tyres were worn."

Fourth place went to former vice champion (1995/96) Jurgen von Gartzen/D (AFN-Oberbayern Motorsport) from Germany, followed by countryman Frank Schmickler (Tolimit Motorsport) in fifth. Starting from ninth on the grid, Yugoslavia's Andrej Kulundzic's drove his 360 hp Zepter Racing Porsche to take a respectable sixth. Chasing hard on Kulundzic's tail came Britain's Johnny Mowlem (AFN-Oberbayern Motorsport). As a newcomer to the international motorsport scene, the 29-year-old from Ascot impressed spectators with his seventh overall. "With oil all over the track it was difficult, but I'm really pleased with my result. My aim now is to finish in the top six."

Italian ex-Formula 1 pilot Bruno Giacomelli driving for MAC Racing set a clipping pace behind Mowlem, finishing his race eighth. Fellow country- man Maurizio Monforte secured ninth with his Ebimotors-Italia Porsche.

Luc Alphand finished his race in the VIP carrera pocketing a commendable 15th place, a repeat of last year's guest appearance on the Magny-Cours circuit in France. "That was much tougher than last year. I'm glad I brought the car to the finish intact and at the same time had a lot of fun."

Race results (top 10):

Pos     Driver/Nat              Team                            Time
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 1      Patrick Huisman/NL      PCA-Manthey Racing         28:59.389
 2      Jean-Pierre Jarier/F    MMI                          + 0.9
 3      Altfrid Heger/D         Porsche Zentrum Koblenz        4.7
 4      Jurgen von Gartzen/D    AFN-Oberbayern Motorsport     18.7
 5      Frank Schmickler/D      Tolimit Motorsport            19.4
 6      Andrej Kulundzic/YU     Zepter Racing                 27.5
 7      Johnny Mowlem/GB        AFN-Oberbayern Motorsport     32.2
 8      Bruno Giacomelli/I      MAC Racing                    32.8
 9      Maurizio Monforte/I     Ebimotors-Porsche Italia    1:01.5
10      Thomas Bleiner/D        Tolimit Motorsport          1:23.1

Pos Driver Points --------------------------- 1 Huisman 36 2 v.Gartzen 24 3 Schmickler 21 4 Ortelli 20 5 Monforte 19 6 Jarier 18 Kelleners 18 Galimberti 18 9 Heger 16 10 Kulunzic 15