Spa 31st July 2004
Official Race Report
Report:© Copyright Renault Sport Technologies 2004 - All rights reserved
EUROCUP FR 2000. Spa : Speed Snatches Pole
Another sensational qualifying session, with Scott Speed once more treating us to a superb performance as he took pole position for this weekend’s single Eurocup FR 2000 race at Spa. On Friday, the young American from the Motopark Oschersleben team leapt ahead of the other 37 drivers, snatching pole in an incredible last gasp effort.
Fast out of the traps, Speed looked untouchable again, putting in the quickest time on his very first timed lap. Not to be outdone, Clairay, Kochem and Kofler all upped the pace, only for Simon Pagenaud to further upset the order. The Frenchman, though not exceptionally fast in morning practise, had been waiting patiently before taking to the track. And he needed only one warm-up lap before lighting the fuse and rocketing to the top of the grid and ahead of championship rival Speed.
Then just seconds before the end of the session, Speed came back out for one last attempt. In an amazing display, the American reclaimed pole position with a lap of 2’19’’921: almost 8/10ths faster than his previous time. Pagenaud will therefore start in second place, followed by Kochem, Fleming and Clairay. And with the two championship leaders leading the pack, get ready for the drag race into turn one.
Speed Races Toward the Title
A trouble-free race for Scott Speed (MotoparkOschersleben) at Spa, the American leading almost from start to finish to take the chequered flag ahead of his countryman Fleming (Jenzer Motorsport) and Kochem (Jenzer Motorsport).
The Motopark and Jenzer teams pulled out all the stops to give us an amazing show for the single race in round seven of the Eurocup 2004. At the green light, France's Pagenaud (Graff Racing) moved up into Speed's slipstream, passing the American as they exited the Raidillon. But Speed's answer was soon in coming, as he outbraked Pagenaud at the first right-hander before heading of into the sunset. This time the message was clear: you need to be the best to beat Speed.
But while the race got underway without upsets at the front, all the action was going on further down the order. Continuing his run of bad luck this weekend, Maldonado (Cram Competition) ran wide and lost his wing, putting paid to his race. Then Ragues was forced to come into the pits, while Kirkaldy's race ended at the bus stop.
Further forward, Pagenaud was right in Kochem and Fleming's sights. On lap three, though, he was in their mirrors.
A damaged nose-cone forced local driver Den Tandt to wave the white flag, allowing Meijer (AR Motorsport) to pull up to Pagenaud.
On lap eight the Safety Car was called out after Di Resta spun off, leaving his car in a dangerous position for the other drivers. One lap later the race got back underway, with Speed far enough ahead to taste victory. But before the chequered flag there was still time for Fleming to take Kochem, with Claessens moving past Pagenaud further back.
Speed increases his lead in the overall standings, his hands nearly on the title. And out on the track the German teams are truly the ones to catch.
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