New Zealander Brendan Leitch has produced some stunning drives this season, and his efforts at the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Grand Finals were no different.
The Kiwi, partnering American Gerhard Watzinger in the #70 Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo EVO 2, drove the second stint in Race 1, and the opening in Race 2 in drives which saw him charge through the pack.
He finished with a podium, third, in the first event, and had even led overall in the second race before handing off to Watzinger.
Competing in the Pro-Am class, amateur driver Watzinger qualified 27th for the first run, running just outside the top 25 before handing over to Leitch.
As has been the trend of late, the Kiwi moved forward through the pack, finishing 12th overall despite a 5 second penalty for track limit violations. He was third of the Pro-Am, resulting in a podium.
Leitch took control of qualifying in Race 2, a massive effort seeing him qualify 5th fastest, beating out the majority of the Pro field. To put this in perspective, the second fastest Pro-Am only managed the 10th fastest time.
He started well and moved up to fourth, before inheriting the lead as the field came in for their pit stops during the mid-stages.
Watzinger took over the reigns, but was quickly hauled in by the pros behind, dropping down to finish 22nd. Just like Leitch in the first race, Watzinger was hampered by a 5 second penalty which further troubled the team.
They finished Race 2 as the eighth placed Pro-Am team.
It was former Formula 1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr. who took out the overall title, finishing second in Race 1 before a commanding win from pole in Race 2.
Puerto Rican drivers Bryan Oritz and Sebastian Carazo were the overall winners of the Pro-Am event.
The World Finals, held at a different circuit each year, concludes Super Trofeo proceedings for the season. It saw a combined field of Europe and North America runners, whilst Asia will also be back in the mix next year with the restart of the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia series.
Race Reports
Watzinger took the reigns in qualifying for Race 1, managing only 27th fastest of the 29 runners. Pole position was won by none-other than former Formula 1 driver Piquet, Loris Spinelli only .012 off top spot.
Race 1 got underway cleanly, the two front row sitters locking in fierce battle in early proceedings. Spinelli finally got through for the lead by a move on the outside, the two locked side-by-side until the Italian pulled ahead around the outside.
Just moments after this a Safety Car was required for a stopped car on circuit, the field bunching up while it was retrieved. The pit window was yet to open, leaving the field all out on track.
Resuming with only one minute before that window opened, only one flying lap was completed before the field began their compulsory stops.
Watzinger was among those, handing over to Leitch to bring the race home with just under 30 minutes remaining.
Once the pit window closed, Weering had taken over from Spinelli to take to the track with a massive 8 second lead. Milan Teekins ran second but was quickly challenged by Piquet.
The Brazilian was unable to find a way through, however a five second penalty was given to Teekins in the dying stages for track limit violations.
Leitch had driven a charging first 10 minutes of his stint and worked his way up to 17th.
Weering (with Spinelli) held on for the victory, with Piquet second and Teekins (with Marzio Moretti) third.
Leitch continued his charge forward to finish 11th overall, second of the Pro-Am competitors. He too, however, was awarded a track limits penalty which relegated him to third behind MotoGP veteran Daniel Pedroza and Antonin Borga.
Bryan Oritz and Sebastian Carazo were the fastest Pro-Am team of the race, finishing 10th overall.
Qualifying for Race 2 was given to Leitch who put in an absolute monster of a lap, putting the #70 fifth on the grid and the first of the Pro-Am.
Piquet set the fastest time the pole, whilst Race 1 winner Weering could only manage 15th fastest time, the cards all in favor of the Brazilian taking the Grand Finals Pro Cup.
Leitch got a great start to move up to fourth before Turn 1, whilst Pique led early proceedings with a fast getaway.
The class and caliber of the Kiwi was evident through his stint, running fourth overall for the first 10 minutes with the next closest Pro-Am competitor way down in 12th.
Once the pit window opened, Pique had built a big lead to come in for his stop at the race mid-point. As the field boxed around him, Leitch remained out as long as possible before handing over to Watzinger with just over 20 minutes remaining.
At the point of pitting, the Kiwi was leading the race.
Watzinger returned to the track in fifth overall, the nearest Pro-Am down in 10th, the chances of victory looking possible.
The American was quickly caught by a four-car battle among the pros, letting them through and dropping to ninth, but still leading the Pro-Am class with 15 minutes remaining.
Unfortunately, a five second penalty was awarded to the team at this point, and the Pros behind continued to pass to see Watzinger tumble down the order.
The number 70 came across the line in 22nd, eighth out of the Pro-Ams.
Pique held on to take victory from a charging Kyle Marcelli and Danny Formal, whilst Teekins and Moretti rounded out the overall podium.
In the Pro-Am, it was Bryson Lew and John Dubets who took victory over Emanuel Colombini and Emanuele Zonzini. Massimo Cigila and Lewis Williamson rounded out the podium.
With a win and a second place, Piquet took out overall honours in the Grand Finals, whilst Ortiz and Carazo won the Pro-Am title.
