Ferraris Triumph at Spa FIA Sportscar Round
13.5.01

For the third round of the FIA Sportscar Championship two Ferrari 333 SPs were entered by the BMS Scuderia Italia team for Gounon/M. Zadra and Calderari/Bryner/A. Zadra. In addition the GLV Racing team entered their Judd V10-powered 333SP for Vann/Lavaggi - this was the car which won the previous round at Monza.

The Nielson/Katoh Dome opened out a commanding lead

In qualifying Lavaggi set a blistering time to secure pole by a massive 2.3 seconds but was then put to the back of the grid when the car failed post-racing scrutineering by being under the minimum weight. Pole was therefore given to the Dome-Judd of Nielsen/Katoh ahead of the Riley & Scott of Baldi/Caffi. The two BMS Ferraris shared row 2 with the Ascari of Lupberger/ Collins in fifth and the second Dome-Judd of Lammers/ Hillebrand completing row 3.

Yikes! The second Dome finished third, and couldn't be missed

The pole-sitting Dome opened up a strong lead at the start from the two BMS Ferraris, which were still running nose-to-tail after one and a half hours of racing. The Dome was consistently some two seconds quicker than the Ferraris, its V-10 Judd engine easily out-pacing the venerable V-12. The Judd-engined BMS 333 was also initially very quick but fell back with brake problems.

The leading Dome of Nielsen/Katoh was also soon in trouble when increasing handling troubles were diagnosed in a long pit stop to be a broken shock absorber. This put the car way down the field and it eventually finished tenth.

The two BMS Ferraris finished first and second

At the front, therefore, were the two Ferraris with the number one car of Gounon taking the chequered flag some five seconds ahead of its team-mate. The Dome of Hillebrand/ Lammers finished third, ahead of the Ascari, and then came the Judd-engined 333 of Vann/Lavaggi.

The next round of the Championship takes place at Brno on 1st July 2001.

Click here to return to the Ferrari Happenings page.