FFF Racing by ACM were back in action at the weekend (27-28 May, 2017) for the second round of the International GT Open at Spa Francorchamps, Belgium and despite the best efforts of everyone involved, struggled for pace at the high-speed circuit.
The first race of the weekend took place in glorious conditions around the sweeping 7-kilometre circuit with Hiroshi Hamaguchi and Vitantonio Liuzzi teamed up once again in the #555 Lamborghini Huracan GT3.
Qualifying saw Liuzzi record the fifth fastest time in the Pro-Am class, the fastest Lamborghini in the field. The Italian make a great start to run ninth overall, a gain of seven positions, before making a bold pass around the outside of Craig Dolby at Fagnes to gain another place.
The race settled into a rhythm only for contact with a rival forced the #555 car to return to the pits with a puncture. Hamaguchi took the chequered flag in seventh position in class.
The Japanese driver lined up 15th overall for the start of the second race, maintaining position from green light and handing over to Liuzzi mid-race in 14th position. Rain started to fall with less than 30-minutes remaining, forcing everyone onto wet weather tyres prior to a lengthy safety car period.
The racing resumed with Liuzzi up to 11th position with less than ten minutes remaining and despite losing out to Rob bell at the restart, Liuzzi took the chequered flag seventh in class on what was a difficult weekend for the team.
“We struggled a little bit in terms of pure lap time due to Balance of Performance and that really hindered this weekend,” said FFF Racing Team Owner, Sean Fu Songyang. “We were a little unlucky too with a puncture but both drivers did a good job, especially Vitantonio who really made a good start in the first race. Now we’re looking forward to the next round and hope we can be closer to the front.”
The next round of the International GT open takes place at Paul Ricard 10-11 June.