Spanish GT Qualifying Report - Estoril
The Autodromo do Estoril was very busy on Saturday, with two qualifying sessions for the Spanish GT championship. It was a Marcos LM 600 day – writes Sergio Fonseca.

1st Qualifying
As he was last year, Cor Euser was the fastest guy on the track in first qualifying. The Dutchman lapped one second fastest than Shaun Balfe’s Mosler MT900R. Ángel Burgueño was third. The former single seater man apparently had some troubles understanding the track in a GT car.

“We really didn’t think that we would be that competitive this weekend,” admitted Balfe. “We had no data or set-up information and neither of us has driven the track before."

SEAT didn't have a proper chance to go well, because both SEAT Toledo GTs are struggling with slow drivers. Darro Motor Sport will miss Jordi Géne a lot. We discovered today that SEAT Cupra GT isn't at Estoril because Lois Racing suffered an engine failure in a private session. The SEAT Sport guys hadn't time to replace it for the Portuguese event.

In the GTB category, Luis Pérez Sala (Ferrari 360 Modena Challenge) beat the ex-rally driver Joan Vinyes (Ferrari 360 Modena Challenge).

Jorge Enríquez in a Venturi 400 Trophy was the fastest car in the GTC category.

2nd Qualifying
The 2000 champion, Miguel Ángel De Castro was fastest in the second session. The Spanish star made his flying lap in the last minute of the session and the Meycom Marcos LM 600 crew will start with high hopes for the sixth round of the season.

Nigel Taylor was an impressive second fastest, the Balfe Mosler MT900R now regularly on the pace everywhere. The Mosler pair is ten points behind Meycom's drivers in the championship. Francesc Gutiérrez was very fast too. The Motor Competition number one driver secured the third position, in his 911 GT3-RS. However, he pitted before the end of the session to save his tyres and he didn't improve his time. Motor Competition’s Porsche will line up alongside the best Portuguese team, the 911 GT2 of the Mello Breyner brothers.

In the GTB category, Manel Cerqueda put the Automovil Club de Andorra Ferrari 360 Modena Challenge on top of the timesheet. Driving a similar car, Vicente Saez-Merino was very near Andorra's time. The Spanish Ferrari army was stronger than Portuguese Porsche teams today.

Enrique De la Cuerda in the Venturi 400 Trophy was unchallenged in the GTC category, setting the best lap time, far ahead of his opponents.

Qualifying - 1st Race
1º. Cor Euser - Danny Van Dongen (Marcos LM 600), 1'42.037.
2º. Shaun Balfe - Nigel Taylor (Mosler MT900R), 1'43.035.
3º. Miguel Ángel de Castro - Ángel Burgueño (Marcos LM 600), 1'43.214.
4º. Luis Monzón - Polo Villamil (Ferrari Modena 360), 1'43.706,
5º. Manuel Mello Breyner - Pedro Mello Breyner (Porsche 911 GT2), 1'44.219.
6º. Miguel Amaral - Pedro Couceiro (Porsche GT3 RS), 1'44.554.
7º. Ginés Vivancos - Ignacio Bultó (Seat Toledo GT), 1'44.718.
8º. Jesús Díez de Villarroel - Víctor Fernández (Porsche GT3 RS), 1'45.754.
9º. Juan Bastos - Pedro Nevoa (Ferrari 360 Modena), 1'46'080.
10º. Luis Villalba - Francesc Gutiérrez (Porsche GT3 RS), 1,44.554.

Qualifying - 2nd Race
1º. Miguel A. De Castro - Ángel Burgueño (Marcos LM 600), 1'43.564.
2º. Shaun Balfe - Nigel Taylor (Mosler MT 600R), 1'44.349.
3º. Luis Villalba - Francesc Gutiérrez (Porsche GT3 RS), 1'44.657.
4º. Manuel Mello Breyner - Pedro Mello Breyner (Porsche 911 GT2), 1'45.118.
5º. Jesús Díez de Villarroel - Víctor Fernández (Porsche 911 GT2), 1'45.688.
6º. Ginés Vivancos - Ignacio Bultó (Seat Toledo GT), 1'45.779.
7º. Miguel Amaral - Pedro Couceiro (Porsche GT3 RS), 1'45.932.
8º. Cor Euser - Danny Van Dongem (Marcos LM 600), 1'46.133.
9º. Luis Monzón - Polo Villamil (Ferrari 360 Modena), 1'46.373.
10º. Antonio Nogueira (Porsche 911 GT2), 1,47.832.