Summer is a season of trips and excursions to new and unfamiliar places. Summer is a time for visiting seaside places. Summer is the middle of the racing season in the circuit round.
It is June on the calendar, so we are going to the seaside place of Zandvoort that is new and unfamiliar to us, for the third Porsche Carrera Cup France round.
Built: 1948
Last modified: 2001
Lap length: 4,307 m
Direction: clockwise
Turns: 13
Best lap time: 1:26.959 Earl Goddard (2002)
Frankly speaking, our drivers know absolutely nothing about the circuit. They are even out of touch about the fact that the first turn after the start with a weird name of Tarzanboct was named so in honor of the peasant who provided his lands to the autodrome owners, but required to perpetuate his name (we think that the guy got money's worth!). They also don't know that Alberto Ascari was the first (and the second, by the way) winner in Formula 1 in Zandvoort, and the Ferrari team has the most victories here. They even don't know that one of the first fiction films, "The Misadventure of a French Gentleman Without Pants at the Zandvoort Beach", was done here in 1905!..
So, our drivers have to know a lot of things about Zandvoort yet, that's why Kevin Estre who is always ready to share his experience and help in finding tenths of seconds on the laps will go there with Oleksandr Gaidai.
O. Gaidai: «I even have no clue where are right/left corners there... I think on Friday Kevin should help a lot. Will try keeping good tendency to improve race by race without mistakes».
A. Jouannem: «For me, first day will be Saturday, and Alex and Kevin's work from Friday will definitely help us get accustomed to this track and prepare for the race much faster.
I don't know this track at all, but I have done my research... Seems to be an old school track: narrow road with many bumps, an interesting mix of sweeping corners, combined with elevation changes and uncommon grip characteristics due to its proximity to the beach. Sounds fun, no?
As for myself, after the tough lesson last time in Spa, the objective will be to begin my recovery in the championship by having a clean weekend. Assuming the form from Barcelona and Spa keeps improving, I think we can potentially be on for a good week-end and salvage some much needed points.
As long as no we stay out of trouble and avoid silly mistakes, I think we can be rather confident. The team runs flawlessly and gives me a great car every time, so I look forward to doing them good and making the most of it!
And honestly, I just can't wait to get back in the car and go racing again!!!»
It will be possible on Saturday: the Dutch track will bring to the participants a joy of the three rounds of free practices and the two qualification sessions afterwards, at 3:50 p.m.
And of course, the drivers will be able to race on Sunday: the first race starts at 11:00 a.m., and the second – on 4:05 p.m. (local time).
We will certainly tell you if there are live broadcastings scheduled from the circuit. But we will keep you informed on our Facebook page anyway.
Terra incognita is waiting for us. On the seaside place. In the depth of the racing season. Isn't it a perfect summer?!
Official Porsche Carrera Cup France website
Official track website
Pitcam online