Ekris Leads Start-to-Finish in Slovakiaring Opener

Photo: GT4 European Series

Ekris Motorsport claimed its third victory of the GT4 European Series Northern Cup season at the Slovakiaring on Saturday evening, after a dominant run from Ricardo van der Ende and Max Koebolt.

The No. 8 Ekris M4 GT4 finished almost five seconds clear of the second placed car, the Academy Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage GT4. 

Koebolt took the lead into the first corner and remained out front for the entire race, with Academy Motorsport driver Matt Nicoll-Jones unable to catch the leader and having to settle for second place, 4.997 seconds behind.

“It was a good race,” Koebolt said. “I was able to get the lead right at the start, which I really didn’t expect. I had a clean start, the Porsche in front of me moved over and was able to pass him into turn 1.

“From that moment on I was able to control the race and pull away from the cars behind me, until the pit stops. We did not make a mistake and have made another step towards the title.”

Gabriele Piana took the final podium position for RN Vision STS by passing Equipe Verschuur’s Finlay Hutchinson. Peter Terting looked set to challenge Piana for the position but dropped back in the latter stages of the race.

Therefore the RN Vision STS Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport MR finished ahead of the similar TM-Racing.org Porsche.

Race 2 is scheduled for 11:05 a.m. on Sunday.

Jake Kilshaw

Jake Kilshaw is a UK-based journalist. He is a graduate of Politics and International Relations.