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Race report

Another podium for Montecalvo and Jeannette in ELMS

Austrian result makes it three podiums from three races.

GT podium: winners Johnny Mowlem, Matt Griffin, second place Joel Camathias, Andrea Bertolini, third

GT podium: winners Johnny Mowlem, Matt Griffin, second place Joel Camathias, Andrea Bertolini, third

DPPI

Keasbey, NJ – Frankie Montecalvo and Gunnar Jeannette continued their podium finishing streak on Saturday afternoon during the 3 Hours of Red Bull Ring. The American duo finished third during the third round of the European Le Mans Series (ELMS) competition.

GT podium: winners Johnny Mowlem, Matt Griffin, second place Joel Camathias, Andrea Bertolini, third place Gunnar Jeannette, Frankie Montecalvo
GT podium: winners Johnny Mowlem, Matt Griffin, second place Joel Camathias, Andrea Bertolini, third place Gunnar Jeannette, Frankie Montecalvo

Photo by: DPPI

Montecalvo and Jeannette, co-drivers of the No. 53 Ram Racing Ferrari 458 Italia were part of another double-podium finish for Ram Racing. Matt Griffin and Johnny Mowlem, co-drivers of the No. 52 Ram Racing Ferrari 458 Italia won the three hour event. This is the second victory for Ram Racing this season.

Jeannette qualified the Ferrari in the sixth place and was first to pilot the racing machine on Saturday. Nursing a fractured left tibia, Jeannette powered his way through the field to gain five positions during his stint. Jeannette completed the first 79 minutes of the race and was running a race-high of second before turning over the car to Montecalvo.

Montecalvo was strong in his double stint and maintained a 20-second lead over his closest competitor. Working against tough competition in the form of Ferrari factory driver Andrea Bertolini, Montecalvo held strong to his position and was passed for the second position with approximately 30 minutes remaining on the race clock. Remarkably, Jeannette and Montecalvo used a single set of Michelin tires for the entire race.

Following three third place finishes this season, Montecalvo and Jeannette are second in the LMGTE drivers’ championship points standings.

Next up for Bayshore Racing is fourth round of the five-race European Le Mans Series. Montecalvo and Jeannette head to Hungry and the Hungaroring in September.

Frankie Montecalvo: “It was a hard fight getting all the way to the end. Going out and doing a double on those tires was pretty good in the beginning – the guys set up a great car – and then it started fading off a little as the tires were going. I don’t think you could ask that of another tire than Michelin.

“It was great to get another podium out of it with Gunnar, especially since he hurt his leg, I’m happy he could be back in the car with me.

“It was definitely one of the most challenging races I’ve done. It wasn’t too hot out there but it was getting to me towards the end. I was trying to keep my head clear and Gunnar and the engineers were talking me through it. My pace was falling off a bit at the end and I was trying hard not to fall off on the older tires. Fortunately I also had Johnny in the No. 52 behind me in the closing stages; it gives you a bit more of a safety buffer knowing you have a wing man there.”

Gunnar Jeannette: “I was willing Frankie to hold onto third place, but didn’t want to jinx it, and we’re obviously very happy to move up into second place in the drivers’ championship. He did a fantastic job at the end and I have to say our Michelins also did a fantastic job. We ran one set of tires for the whole race as it was really the only way we could have a chance of fighting with JMW.

"Unfortunately, the pace dropped off but Frankie was able to keep a good enough lap time going to keep us in third. I’m happy for our team mates but at the same time that lights a fire under us so hopefully by next race I will be able to use both my legs and that will allow us to go one or two steps higher on the podium.”

Ram Racing

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