Jorn Tandberg and Christian Zaborowski win the Norwegian Grand Prix
Jotun‘s Jorn Tandberg and Christian Zaborowski produced a faultless performance in front of their home crowd to win the Norwegian Grand Prix in Arendal on Sunday (July 23) ahead of championship of points leaders Bjorn Gjelsten and Steve Curtis in Spirit of Norway. Victory 77 driven by Mohammed Al Marri and Jean Marc Sanchez finished third.
It was an impressive display by Tandberg and Zaborowski in the Mercury powered Jotun, who, after starting on the outside of the first of two start lines, powered their way to the front. By the end of first lap they were six seconds ahead. Racing in clear water the Norwegian pairing took full advantage and never looked back taking their first-ever Class 1 win after completing the 12 lap, 93.84Nm course in 52mins 50 .62secs at an average of 122.05mph/196.38kmh.
“We made a very good tight first turn and managed to power our way through to the front,” said Christian Zaborowski. “With Spirit of Norway behind us we knew we would have to push hard all the way and we just kept at it. It’s wonderful not only to win but to win in Norway is very special.”
For the second time in two day’s Bjorn Gjelsten and Steve Curtis aboard Spirit of Norway had to settle for second place. With their main rivals Qatar 96 struggling with steering problems from the start and finishing fourth, Gjelsten and Curtis extended their championship lead to 37points.
“To be honest we under propped today. Jotun got a fantastic start and we realised that to catch them we might have done something stupid so we decided to hold our position and secure the points,” said Steve Curtis.
Victory 77’s Al Marri and Sanchez kept their title hopes alive, coming home in third with Sanchez full of praise for the event.
“First, I have to say that this race course and the local people are fantastic. All the way around the course the crowds were incredible. It was amazing. The start was good and worked well but Jotun surprised us with their extra power and went straight past us and then we were in spray and had to go carefully.”
Fifth place went to Victory 7’s Nadir Bin Hendi and Ahmed Al Suwaidi ahead of Giampaolo Montavoci and Domenico Cirilli in Foresti&Suardi-Roscioli Hotels with Abdullah Al Sulaiti and Lino Di Biase, Qatar 95 suffering mechanical problems classified seventh. For King of Shaves, Saturday’s Pole Position winners, race day turned to despair when they were forced to retire on the second lap.
NORWEGIAN GRAND PRIX – results
1. Jotun – Tandberg/Zaborowski 00.52.50,62
2. Spirit of Norway – Gjelsten/Curtis 00.53.37,56
3. Victory 77 – Al Marri/Sanchez 00.54.31,06
4. Qatar 96 – Al Thani/Nicolini 00.55.20,64
5. Victory 7 – Al Suwaidi/Hendi 00.56.10,56
6. Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels – Cirilli/Montavoci 00.51.12,32 ( 1lap)
7. Qatar 95 – Al Sulaiti/Di Biase 00.41.35,60 ( 3laps)
King of Shaves – Sheppard/Parsonage DNF
SeveneleveN – Nilsen/Giorgi DNF
Ceramiche Flaminia – Chillocci/Leppala DNS
CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
1. Spirit of Norway – Gjelsten/Curtis 68pts
2. Qatar 96 – Al Thani/Nicolini 51pts
3. Jotun – Tandberg/Zaborowski 48pts
4. Victory 77 – Al Marri/Sanchez 42pts
5. Qatar 95 – Al Sulaiti/Di Biase 36pts
6. Foresti & Suardi-Roscioli Hotels – Cirilli/Montavoci 33pts
7. Victory 7 – Al Suwaidi/Hendi 29pts
8. King of Shaves – Sheppard/Parsonage 22pts
