The #63 Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini driven by Mirko Bortolotti and Christian Engelhart took a clear victory in the Brands Hatch qualifying race on Sunday.
The pair finished 3.752 seconds ahead of Finnish duo Markus Palttala and Jesse Krohn in the #98 ROWE Racing BMW and their fellow Grasser Racing drivers Siedler-Perez-Companc in the #19 Huracan.
The Pro-Am Cup victory was taken by the #333 Rinaldi Racing Ferrari of Daniel Keilwitz and Alexander Mattschull, with Lewis Williamson and David Fumanelli taking the Silver Cup honours in their #42 Strakka Racing McLaren.
The 60-minute session began with a clean start for pole sitter Bortolotti, whilst seconds and fifth on the grid; Mies and Haase respectively, made slight contact, causing a puncture for the Audi driver and a spin for Haase, dropping them both down the order.
Mies and Enzo Ide wouldn't finish the race due to a suspected driveshaft problem.
Krohn, starting third, jumped up the second whilst the #19 Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini of Norbert Siedler held third – they would finish in that order too to complete the podium.
The top-10 remained the same during the first half of the race, but thanks to a quick pitstop, series leaders Maxi Buhk and Franck Perera climbed from ninth to fifth. Unfortunately for the HTP Motorsport duo, a late puncture meant they finished the qualifying race in 23rd.
A safety car cut Engelhart's lead – having taken over driving duties from Bortolotti – but they had no trouble staying ahead when the race resumed with ten minutes left on the clock.
In the Pro-Am Cup polesitter Jules Gounon (#87 AKKA ASP Mercedes-AMG) held on to the lead, but was closely chased by Daniel Keilwitz in the #333 Rinaldi Racing Ferrari. The German did not manage to overtake the French youngster, but due to a better pitstop Alexander Mattschull – in his first ever race in Brands Hatch – took the lead. The Misano winner held on to it until the chequered flag.
The Silver Cup saw an impressive display of #44 Strakka Racing McLaren-duo Lewis Williamson and David Fumanelli, practically leading from start to finish. Eventually they added a fourteenth place overall to their Silver Cup win.
For full qualifying race results, click here.
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