New Zealander Brendon Leitch has taken the lead of the Pro Class of Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe with a second podium of the weekend in a rain-affected race at Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday evening.
Leitch had qualified second for the race, and that was where he would finish, the entire 25 minutes of racing spent behind the Safety Car due to the treacherous conditions, which are all too familiar on the Belgium circuit.
Even behind the Safety Car, a number of competitors struggled to keep their cars on the track, with the likes of Nigel Schoonderwoerd and Jason Keats running into trouble.
Only half points were awarded for the race, but it was enough for the Southlander to take a half-point lead in the title race away from the venue.
The stewards stated that: “As the race two has been suspended according to article 125 of the 2023 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe Sporting Regulations, the Stewards determined that the points for race two will be awarded accordingly to article 17. [In] doing so, as more than two (2) laps but less than 75% of the original race distance (or time) were completed, half points will be awarded to the drivers.”
The Kiwi had started the round well by finishing second from eighth on the grid in Race 1 before his solid qualifying effort for Race 2 saw him return to the podium for the fourth consecutive race.
Pole-sitter Cedric Wauters was henceforth awarded the win on his series debut and said that although he was disappointed not to go racing, the correct decision to call off the race was made.
“It was not easy out there,” he said. “The visibility, especially with 48 cars, was very problematic and the rain was getting heavier, so it’s a pity that the race was stopped, but it was the correct decision.”
Lamborghini Super Trofeo Europe returns to action at Nürburgring over the weekend of 28-30 July.
Header Image source: Brendon Leitch/ Leipert Motorsport
