Ferrari Challenge: Barde's Dijon classic

Rapid Irishman Michael Cullen snatched pole for race one in class 1 - his first since joining the series two-and-a-half seasons ago - but was jumped by Monaco Motors driver Barde into the first corner. Barde, last year's series champion, made a perfect getaway from behind the safety car to pass both Javier Diaz and Cullen in an audacious move which gave him the lead he maintained until the chequered flag.

Exasperated by Cullen's defensive driving, Spaniard Diaz spun down to fifth two laps from the end, paving the way for ex-F1 racer Gregor Foitek to steal the last podium position. Diaz's off-track excursion, moreover, littered the circuit with gravel, catching out Frenchman Steve Zacchia who lost control of his 360 Modena and was forced into the gravel trap, flipping his machine. He escaped unharmed.

The second race saw Cullen pass Barde for the lead on the outside of the entry into the double right-hander, Villeroy - only then to be touched by Diaz on lap 11. The incident retired them both from the race, allowing Swiss guest driver Philippe Favre, competing in his first Ferrari Challenge event, to inherit the lead. In spite of pressure from Foitek and John Bosch - who drove a spectacular race from 25th on the grid to second - Favre secured a well-deserved victory.

In Class 2, Swiss pilot Urs Grutter won an untroubled lights-to-flag victory in the first race. In the second event, however, he spun down the field at the Parabolique whilst under intense pressure from compatriot René de Luigi, who went on to secure the race win. A disappointing and scoreless weekend for Martin Lanting, winner of race one at the last round in Zandvoort, sees Briton John Seale take the class 2 championship lead.


1 Ange Barde (F) 23:23.936
2 Michael Cullen (IRL) 23:24.313
3 Gregor Foitek (CH) 23:27.508
4 Philippe Favre (CH) 23:27.878
5 Javier Diaz (ESP) 23:28.367
6 Gilles Vannelet (F) 23:29.202


1 Philippe Favre (CH) 39:21.255
2 John Bosch (NL) 39:22.653
3 Gregor Foitek (CH) 39:23.476
4 Gilles Vannelet (F) 39:23.786
5 Ange Barde (F) 39:30.410
6 Robert Pergl (CZE) 39:32.826