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After fielding a regular presence of
Circuit drivers in international competitions over the past few years, Bulgaria
stepped up to host last weekend the final round of the Circuit F500 World
Championship and the GT15 European Championship.
Marcin Zielinski was crowned F500
World Champion for the fourth consecutive time, while Petar Stoyanov claimed
his first-ever UIM title in the GT15 class.
Ten F500 drivers made the trip to
Ruse, a new venue on the UIM calendar, offering a 1,500-metre race course on
the waters of the Danube River, which separates the city from neighbouring
Romania. Polish driver Marcin Zielinski arrived in Bulgaria as the leader of
the overall F500 World Championship standings, but was facing pressure from
Estonian Erko Aabrams, his closest rival in the rankings.
Zielinski set the tone for the
weekend immediately, posting the fastest time in the timed trials ahead of
Aabrams and seven other drivers, with Miroslav Minchev not starting the
session. Zielinski then confirmed his impressive form in Heat 1, taking victory
more than ten seconds ahead of Aabrams, with Czech Republic’s David Loukotka
finishing third. The same three drivers occupied the same podium positions in
Heat 2, while the cancellation of Heat 3 due to strong winds effectively sealed
the overall Championship victory for Zielinski. Aabrams and Loukotka finished
second and third respectively in the Championship standings.
In GT15, eight drivers from five
different countries competed for the European title over four heats of racing,
all of which took place as scheduled, unlike the F500 programme. The first two
heats saw the domination of two Lithuanian drivers, Elimantas Raziulis and Urte
Gedminaite, who finished first and second respectively in both heats.
Local fan favourite Peter Stoyanov
won the third heat, while Raziulis finished third and looked set to win the
GT15 European Championship heading into the fourth and final heat. However, an
incredible scenario saw the Lithuanian driver finish eighth and last in the
final heat, opening the way for Stoyanov to win the Championship, provided he
could take victory in the heat.
With a margin of less than three
seconds, Stoyanov crossed the finish line first ahead of Estonian driver
Jaroslav Bassov, securing his first-ever title in the process. Raziulis and
Gedminaite were classified second and third respectively in the overall
Championship standings.
Photos: Bulgarian
Powerboat Federation
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