15.10.10 Quiet success

On his way to the 12 hour endurance race in Budapest, Wolfgang Kaufmann`s thoughts kept returning to the tragic fate of his long time associate Uwe Gemballa who fell fictim to a coldblooded crime in South Africa in late September.

Brokernet Silver Sting

2. Platz 12h Budapest - Kalman Bodis, Wolfgang Kaufmann, Istvan Racz, Tom Nastasi

There was some irritation during the run-up to the event at the current Hungarian Formula 1 track. The tyres that had originally been considered for the race could not be delivered, and so Kalman Bodis and his Bovi Motorsport team procured other tyres from Prague on short notice which arrived just in time fort he first free practice session.

The ambitious team did perfect preparation work on its Brokernet Silver Sting on Friday night and changed every imaginable working part with a view to lasting the full 12 hour distance. Qualifying saw the team on the second row of the grid, in 4th position.

It was an ideal start to their quest for a podium finish in the 23 car grid filled with strong entries like Porsche 997 RSR, Audi R8 LMS, or BMW Z4. For two thirds of the race distance, the Austrian team Lechner Racing with its Audi R8 LMS fought for the lead with the Westcoast Racing BMW Z4, always shadowed by Team Bovi Motorsport.

Temporary shifter trouble, excessive tyre wear and a 52 second time penalty for breaking the 20 kph speed limit in the refuelling area prevented their challenge for the overall victory. After the BMW's retirement with a broken alternator mount, local drivers Kalman Bodis and István Rácz, American Tom Nastasi and Wolfgang Kaufmann secured a very positive second place overall, as well as in their class.

It was certainly a boost for Team Bovi Motosport's motivation to achieve their ambitious goal of further success at the 24 hour race of Dubai in early 2011 with their self-contructed car. Satisfied with their sporting achievement of the weekend, a quiet and pensive Wolfgang Kaufmann started his long journey home.

Result after 355 laps:

1. Lechner Racing (Austria), Audi R8 LMS

Philip König, Niki Mayr-Melnhof, Thomas Gruber, Walter Lechner

2. Bovi Motorsport (Hungary), Brokernet Silver Sting

Kalman Bodis, Wolfgang Kaufmann, Istvan Racz, Tom Nastasi

3. Westend Racing (Finland), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S

Jorma Vanhanen, Erik Behrens, Valle Mäkelä