Calan Williams and Co-driver Sam De Haan salvaged a podium finish in Race 2 after a challenging event at Magny Cours, round 4 of the GT World Challenge Sprint Cup.
Thursday had a 3 hour free practice session scheduled, which provides an invaluable opporunity to establish the set up of the car to set up a strong weekend. Unfortunately mechanical issues compromised the entire session for Calan, Sam and the team, and no useful running could be completed.
As a result, the team commenced Friday practice on the back foot and this carried over into the first qualifying session where Calan would qualify an unusal P5 in class and P28 overall with compromised handling of the car.
Starting Race 1, Calan got away very strongly gaining 7 positions in the opening laps and progressing up to P4 in class and P19 overall before handing the car over to Sam at the stop. In the end, a P5 in class finish would be the result.
Overnight the team worked hard to progress the car, and on Sunday morning Sam qualified P23 overall and P5 in class. At the pit stop he would hand the car to Calan in a similar position.
With much more confidence in the set up, Calan delivered an outstanding drive to fight up through the field to P3 in class and P15 overall. He gained the podium position with an impressive overtake into the 200kph+ chicane and then pulled away.
Calan and Sam now take a commanding 21 point lead into the final round for the year at Barcelona Oct 11 - 13.
