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Razoon – More Than Racing Triumphs at GEDLICH Racing 6h of Barcelona

In a thrilling showdown at the inaugural GEDLICH Racing 6h of Barcelona, Thomas Andersen and Simon Birch showcased their driving prowess, leading Razoon – More Than Racing to a well-deserved victory. This event followed their success at the 6h of Portimao in February, where they also clinched the top spot.

The competition was fierce, particularly from the BDR by Grupo Prom Mercedes, driven by Alfredo Hernandez, Michael Dorrbecker, and Amaury Bonduel. The GT3 class also featured the Thai team Star Performance, with a lineup of talented drivers including Milos Pavlovic, Sandro Mur, Aniwat Lommahadthai, and Sanporn Jao-Javanil.

Throughout the race, attention remained fixated on the Razoon Porsche 992 GT3 R, which secured pole position. As the race commenced, Niccolo Schiro’s Rossocorsa Ferrari 296 Challenge made an impressive ascent from fifth to first, leveraging its potent straight-line speed to advance through the pack.

During the early laps, Andersen found himself battling with Lommahadthai and Stephane Leveret, who was piloting the CMR Lamborghini Super Trofeo and seized the second position. Meanwhile, SR Motorsport encountered difficulties in the GT4 class, with their #111 entry withdrawing after just two laps due to engine failures.

Early on, the #11 Mercedes, driven by Kenneth Heyer, dominated the GT4 category in a fierce contest with Daniel Drexel and Guillermo Aso. Ultimately, Drexel emerged victorious in the Razoon Porsche Cayman.

After a swift pit stop, Andersen handed the wheel over to Birch, who immediately set a rapid pace. However, the second hour introduced drama, highlighted by a collision involving the PCR Sport Mercedes GT4 of Josep Parera and Birch, resulting in the first safety car deployment of the race. Additionally, a drive-through penalty was issued to Parera due to the incident.

A subsequent caution came as the #4 PCR Mercedes faced more challenges, returning to the race missing crucial rear components after being pulled from the gravel at Turn 14. Vicente Dasi’s struggles culminated in a spin at Turn 7, further complicating their race.

As the competition advanced, Birch and Andersen solidified their position, mirroring their prior success at Portimao. By the end of the fourth hour, they appeared to have an insurmountable lead measured in laps, rather than mere minutes.

The battle for second place intensified as Bonduel and Pavlovic took to the track, with Bonduel initially holding a narrow eight-second lead. However, rain began to fall, prompting cautious decisions on tire strategies. Pavlovic opted for wet tires early, but his initial advantage wavered as he faced competition from Bonduel, who ultimately charged back after switching to wet tires later in the race.

Despite Bonduel’s efforts to close the gap, time ran out, allowing Birch to claim victory two laps ahead. The celebration continued as the Razoon GT4 entry, driven by Denny Berndt, also crossed the finish line first in their category.

Pavlovic managed to retain second overall, finishing just three seconds ahead of Bonduel’s Mercedes, who completed the podium in third place. The Cup 4 CMR Lamborghini finished in fourth position.

The MTech Competition Porsche 992 GT3 Cup, driven by Gustav Soderberg Krogh, Thomas Karlsson, and Mattias Astrand, rounded out the top five while also winning the Cup 2 class. A drive shaft issue hindered the chances of GP Elite’s duo, Peter and Koen Munnichs, after a commendable effort earlier in the race.

Despite facing suspension problems, the Rossocorsa Ferrari 296 Challenge clinched sixth overall. Meanwhile, Razoon – More Than Racing’s team of Berndt, Drexel, and Gregor Schneider dominated the GT4 category, achieving a five-lap lead over their competitors.

As the team tackled refueling issues earlier, Jay Mo Hartling showcased his dedication by stepping in to assist as a mechanic, highlighting the collaborative spirit within the racing community.

With back-to-back victories at the GEDLICH Racing endurance events in Portimao and Barcelona, Razoon – More Than Racing demonstrated their dominance in the field. Birch’s impressive performance included setting the fastest-ever GT3 race lap at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, clocking in at 1m40.695s.

As GEDLICH Racing’s six-hour events concluded successfully in 2025, anticipation builds for the Winter Series in 2026, with Barcelona and Portimao primed to host further endurance racing challenges.

Source
www.autosport.com