TUESDAY 20TH MAY 2008
ANOTHER FIA GT PODIUM CEMENTS SIMONSEN IN CHAMPIONSHIP
Three weeks ago Allan Simonsen stood on the podium at Italy's famous Monza circuit after winning the GT2 class of the 2008 Le Mans Series event. It was brilliant sunshine and the crowds turned up.

Fast forward to last Sunday and there was Allan, once again, on the Monza podium. This time the stakes were more serious as was the ugly weather. And the crowds returned. So did the Dane, grabbing his second chance to spray the champagne in as many meetings.

Paired with Austrian Phillip Peter aboard the Gigawave Motorsport Aston Martin DBR-9 GT1, Simonsen was keen to capitalise on their 3rd place at the opening Silverstone round.

Click here to revisit action from Silverstone.

Practice was extermely wet but still the team made excellent progress putting the Aston Martin in P3 during the first session, following with a P5 in P2.

Qualifying was a tricky affair.

"There was a dry line appearing for the GT2 cars, said Allan recalling qualifying.

"They only had 20 mins but by then it had drizzled on the back of the circuit and it was tricky approaching the second chicane. It was patchy all around the track and a few cars got caught out and ended in the wall.

The track however continued to dry...

"I was sure the fastest time would be done on the last lap. But I couldn't get a clear lap and the double yellows were out so we had to settle for 7th. I don't think its a true representation of our car speed but thats where we are.

Seventh in Q was like a red rag to a bull for Simonsen, who prompty silenced everyone with the fastest warm up time, in terrible conditions.


Allan started the race, making an awesome getaway, splitting the field.

At the end of lap two he was 3rd and catching Christophe Bouchut in the Corvette C6R. Simonsen was really trying...

"After about 15 minutes I caught Bouchut and passed him into turn 1. I really felt like it was a good passing move. Then I set off after the leader but things got a bit untidy. At the end of the back straight I was coming into the Parabolica and had to pass at GT2 Porsche. As I went inside him for the turn he also switched position forcing me to the outside but because I was so close to him I suddenly lost downforce and run a touch wide. I think a wheel got on the grass and with weather like this thats a no-no. Suddenly I'm accelerating like you do on wet grass and there are rocks and gravel going everywhere!
Simonsen suddenly found himself summoning up the very same skills he'd used to win Rally Tasmania last year...

"I kept the car in a long slide and ended up touching the tyres only slightly and there was virtually no damage."

Being aware of just how wet things were, off track, Simonsen kept the momentum up, rejoining the race with almost no penalty. Shortly he would pit and hand over to Phillip Peter, who would drive an exceptional middle stint.

After the second compulsory pitstop, Simonsen climbed back onboard, returning to hunt down the second placed car only to be called in for a drive through penalty. Allegedly, an earthing strap was not used, at the last refuelling stop.

Like Silverstone, Peter and Simonsen finished third. The entire Gigawave team was jubilant having shown such excellent team work, car speed and racecraft over the weekend. Both Simonsen and Peter are now equal second in the chmapionship with 12 points.

Next FIA GT round is Adria - 50km outside of Venice, June 20-22

But there's no rest for the wicked. Its back to the UK for a British GT round at Rockingham this weekend.

And then comes Le Mans 24 Hour testing...

Lap of Monza: Click here
Next FIA GT race: Adria in-car
Image Gallery: allansimonsen.com