Gautam Hari Singhania Gets Double Podium Finish

By Rajkamal

Published: Monday, April 20, 2015, 17:02 [IST]

Gautam Hari Singhania, the Chairman and Managing Director, Raymond Limited and Founder Chairman, Super Car Club, kick started his participation at the prestigious Ferrari event – Ferrari Challenge Europe Championship 2015 by securing a historic double podium finish at Monza, Italy.

He finished 3rd in his category– Coppa Shell in both Race 1 and Race 2 and had qualified 4th and 3rd respectively. The Ferrari Challenge Europe Championship 2015 started this month and is also endorsed by the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI).

Commenting on his win, Gautam Hari Singhania said "It is a proud moment for me to secure a double podium finish at the first race of this prestigious Ferrari event. It has been a dream weekend for me as this was a big challenge and have set my sights on the Championship and World Finals 2015."

The Race 2 in the Coppa Shell category had Erich Prinoth managed to snatch the lead from Thomas Loefflad, while once again Gautam Hari Singhania from Kessel Racing drove exceptionally well, maintaining an authoritative hold on the third position he had earlier earned himself in qualifying. Prinoth took victory with a 1"074 lead over Loefflad and 9"600 over Singhania.

The Coppa Shell category delivered on drama in the first lap of Race 1 with Ericha Prinoth making use of his pole position, managed to keep his lead ahead of Belgian Jacques Duvyer, while the only Indian driver - Gautam Hari Singhania almost immediately moved up into third.

2014 Coppa Gentlemen winner Fons Scheltema, however, was pranged by another driver, while Rick Lovat spun at the Variante della Roggia and ended up retiring. Out in front, Prinoth and the two Kessel Racing drivers quickly pulled away from the rest of the field along with Thomas Lindroth (Baron Service) and Eric Cheung (AF Corse).

Tension rose several notches at the last corner of the last lap, however, as halfway through the Parabolica, Prinoth found a slower car right in his line and had to slow. Duyver, who'd got fastest out of the corner, quickly took advantage of Prinoth's misfortune. He had an easy time of it on the straight, going on to win with a 1"624 lead over Prinoth and a 6"118 over Singhania, author of the fastest lap of the race.

The entire season comprises in total of 15 races with two races a weekend, spread over six weekends mainly at Monza (ITALY), Imola (ITALY), Mugello (ITALY), Le Castellet (FRANCE), Valencia (SPAIN) and Budapest (HUNGARY).

This culminates into to the world finals, consisting of three races in December 2015, where one race is together with the other two regions of Asia and North America. The grid will consist of about 40-50 cars like last year and there's sure to be some competitive racing that promises to be a great experience.

Gautam Hari Singhania raced with the renowned Swiss Team named Kessel Racing that has registered numerous wins and an exhaustive experience under its belt. Former F1 driver and current GT driver Andrea Motermini is his coach for the entire season.

2014 has been a great year for Gautam Singhania as he participated in various prestigious racing tournaments across the world, most recently being the Ferrari Finali Mondiali in Abu Dhabi where he secured a podium finish in the Coppa Shell EU Race 2 category and NGK Racing Series at the Yas Marina Circuit wherein he bagged a double win.