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Race: All French affair in Spain

Former F1 driver Jean Christophe Boullion and F3000 rising star Sebastien Bourdais took the honours in the opening round of the FIA Sportscar championship at Barcelona today (Sunday). The Courage drivers started from pole in their Peugeot-powered machine, but could do nothing to fend off the flying Dutchman Jan Lammers on the opening lap of the race. Lammers executed a daring move around the outside of two cars to snatch the lead

The early stages were held in wet conditions, but the Circuit de Catalunya soon started to dry. Regardless of the weather, the car on the move was the ORECA Dallara of Franck Montagny. The Judd-engined machine had originally qualified on pole but was forced to start from the back of the grid after a rule infringement. However, Montagny carved his way through the field.

Before the end of his stint, when he was to hand over to another ex-F1 driver Olivier Beretta, Montagny had taken the outright lead, but all his hard work came to nothing when a problem with the starter cost the team three laps in the pits. Throughout the race the Dallara was the quickest car on track and they eventually claimed second place.

"We had control of this race but these things do happen in motorsport," said team boss Hugues de Chaunac. "The way we fought back was very satisfying though and I think we proved we were the fastest this weekend."

ORECA's troubles gave the lead to the Courage-Judd of Didier Cottaz. The Frenchman continued to lead until the second round of pitstops. However, a mix up between team and driver saw the car leave the pits too soon resulting in a wheel falling off the car before he made it back on track. By the time he eventually got going he had slipped back to fifth handing the lead to Boullion.

Initially Boullion had to contend with the presence of Val Hillebrand in the Dome, but when the 20-year-old spun off while lapping traffic at Seat, the ex-Williams test driver just had to bring the car home to take the win. Hillebrand rejoined and finished fourth.

"It was an easy ride after I saw the Dome off the circuit," said Boullion."I think I had the easy work today but Sebastien did a fantastic job in the early stages when he took slicks so early. The team also did great pitstops. We are all very happy."

SR2 honours when to the Lucchini Alfa of Mirko Savoldi and Piergiuseppe Peroni.


Jean Chrisophe Boullion/Sebastien Bourdais Courage-Peugeot 81
Olivier Beretta/Franck Montagny Dallara-Judd 80
Bob Berridge/Ian McKellar Jnr Lola-Judd 78
Jan Lammers/Val Hillebrand Dome-Judd 78
Didier Cottaz/Boris Dereichebourg Courage Judd 77
Mirko Peroni/Pierguiseppe Savoldi (SR2) Lucchini-Alfa 77

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