Double benefits for TDS Racing!

For the first time in its history, the TDS Racing team entered a car other than a LM P2. After having shone in other series, the team has decided to run in European Le Mans Series in the GTC category. On the occasion, a BMW Z4 GT3 was given to Franck Perera, Eric Dermont and Dino Lunardi.

After successful free practices, Franck Perera set the pole position of the GTC category with a time of 2’01'939, one second ahead of his opponents. Eric Dermont had a safe start and avoided the cars in front of him during the crash of the first corner. Even if he came 4th, he kept the car. He then drove on a good pace which he kept all throughout his stint.

He handed to Dino Lunardi who moved the BMW from 4th to 1st place in GTC in a double stint! After Eric Dermont’s second good stint, Franck Perera ended his teammates’ work. With a substantial lead, he secured his place and even widened the gap with his opponents. At the end, Franck crossed the finishing line as a winner with two laps ahead. Meanwhile, the line-up is now leading the GTC championship. A victory without any contest which marks a superb beginning of the season. 

Dino Lunardi : «Everything went well. It was nearly a perfect race I would say! Franck had already done a good part of the job this morning by setting the pole position. Then Eric, in charge of the start, handled well the first corner. He lost a few places but then had a good pace.
We were worried about the Dunlop tyres which are quite new in this series. Moreover, we only did a few tests on the lifespan of the tyres. After Eric, I had to double stint with a big gap to narrow. I am happy because at the end of my first stint, I was leading. Then the race was nearly finished, when our two most serious opponents collided. Franck ended the job in the best possible way.
Everything went well. The tyres were not worn out and this was crucial to the race. The car was perfect.
We have done a “hat trick”: pole position, the fastest lap during the race and the victory. We could start better; In May, we will be at Imola, Ferrari’s land, where I reckon we might suffer»