Adria: Atech GP event report

FOURTH FOR BUURMAN IN ADRIA

Atech Reid's Yelmer Buurman (AC Milan) narrowly missed a podium finish in the second Superleague Formula by Sonangol race in Adria today but saw his series lead disappear after an earlier collision with his main series rival in the opening race. FC Porto's Alvaro Parente led the team's four-car line up in qualifying with third fastest ahead of series newcomer Frederic Vervisch (Liverpool FC) seventh, Buurman eighth and PSV Eindhoven's new signing Hywell Lloyd in 13th.

In race one Parente lost out at the start, running wide through the first corner and onto the grass, but a great recovery allowed him back into the battle for fifth, winding up sixth at the flag. All eyes however were on the on-going battle between series leader Buurman and second-placed Craig Dolby, who lined up just behind.

At the lights the duo both got the jump on Vervisch (LFC) with Buurman holding the advantage, before Dolby made a move to pass the AC Milan driver, diving down the inside at turn three.

A few laps later however, as the tyres on his rival's car began to wear badly, Buurman was able to close down the gap. The AC Milan driver pitted one lap earlier than Dolby and as Dolby rejoined, he was alongside Buurman at the first corner where the pair collided, breaking the front wing on the championship leader's car.

The incident dropped Buurman down they order as he limped back to the pits for repairs, although he recovered several places to finish 11th but saw his advantage reduced to just one point. Vervisch enjoyed a scrap for seventh in the second half of the race, the Belgian making an impressive debut appearance for the reigning champions Liverpool FC to take the place on the final lap.

For the fully-reversed race two grid Buurman lined-up fifth and battled to fourth place after fighting off a strong challenge from the impressive Vervisch, who made one of the most exciting moves of the weekend passing Robert Doornbos around the outside of turn one.

Parente (FC Porto) was pushing third after a great start allowed him to improve on his grid start, and a late pit stop also saw him gain places. However a disappointed Portuguese was later served a stop/go penalty for a pit lane infringement, dropping him to 11th ahead of PSV Eindhoven's Lloyd.

Vervisch's performance was enough to allow him into the five lap dash-for-cash Super Final in which he finished sixth.

The team returns to racing action in two weeks time when the series visits the Portimao circuit over the weekend of 18/19 September.

-source: atech gp