Two wins for Black Falcon at the Porsche Carrera Cup

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Team Black Falcon looks back on a successful weekend competing in the second Porsche Carrera Cup Germany race at Lausitzring. Christian Engelhart started from pole position in both races and ended up on the podium each time. After a second place in Saturday's race, Engelhart won the fourth round of the championship on Sunday morning while at the same time securing Black Falcons first victory in its short Carrera Cup history. Carlos Rivas achieved similar results in the amateur cup: The Luxembourgian finished second on Saturday and won the race on Sunday. Meanwhile, Gabriele Piana topped his personal best result in his Carrera Cup career when he crossed the line in eighth position on Sunday.  

Start number 4 – Gabriele Piana – RN Vision Team Black Falcon
During his second Carrera Cup participation, Gabriele Piana finished the two races in position eleven (race 1) and eight (race 2). The Italian struggled at the start of the first race and lost a few positions. During the 18 laps in total the RN Vision driver made a great comeback and worked himself up the grid to rank 11. In the second race on Sunday morning, Piana got caught between two cars in the first corner and had a small collision. As a result, the 30 year old had trouble handling the car and was no longer capable to fully attack. Despite the small damage, he showed an outstanding performance and crossed the line in position eight – his best result in the Carrera Cup yet. Piana receives 13 championship points for his performance and now holds position eight of the driver's championship with 24 points in total.
 
Start number 5 – Christian Engelhart – Black Falcon
Second in free practice, pole position in both races, position two in Saturday's race and victory on Sunday – that’s a close to perfect result for Christian Engelhart at his first race weekend with Black Falcon. The 30 year old didn't have a perfect start in the third round of the championship on Saturday afternoon and consequently lost the leading position during the first corner. After an impressive fight over the lead he had to accept the second place with a 0,1 seconds gap after 18 laps. In the fourth round on Sunday morning he had a better start and defended the lead. After the first couple of laps were dominated by a fight with Christopher Zöchling, Engelhart left the field behind and moved on to an impressive start-finish-victory. It was the twelfth victory in Engelhart’s career in the Porsche Carrera Cup. After two out of seven race weekends, he is now fourth in the championship with 45 points.
 
Start number 6 – Carlos Rivas – Black Falcon
Carlos Rivas experienced a very successful second weekend in the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany. On Saturday morning, the Luxembourgian qualified for position 18 (2nd amateur cup) and 15 (pole position amateur cup). Because of a penalty for causing a collision during the last race at Hockenheim, Rivas was forced down the grid by five positions for the first race, thus starting from position 23. The 40 year old was not too impressed by it and fought back position by position finishing in second place and securing precious points for the championship. The second race on Sunday was even better. Starting from pole, Rivas defended his position from various attacks by his rivals over the whole distance of 24 laps and crossed the line as first-time-winner in the amateur cup with a two second gap. He now sits in second position in the amateur championship with just three points behind the leader.
 
Team Black Falcon after the race:
 
Eve Wallenwein, team manager Black Falcon:
“We’re incredibly happy about the results and the general performance of the weekend. To win at our second participation in both classes is really unusual and shows our great potential and competitiveness. The whole team did a great job and I’m really proud of everyone involved.”
 
Wolfgang Drabiniok, Speaker RN Vision Team Black Falcon:
“Gabriele did not have the best start at the first race and lost four positions. During the race he showed a great performance and fought back, and although the Lausitzring is well known for its lack of overtaking possibilities, he managed to finish in position eleven. In the second race he took a hit that altered the toe on the front. Therefore, we’re happy with the eighth place.”
 
Gabriele Piana – driver start number 4:
“Once more the whole team showed a great performance this weekend. My starts weren’t ideal in both races, therefore I lost a few positions. But I’m happy with the results because I could fight back and moved up the grid during the races. Also we improved our general performance and just need to find the last tenths of a second to close the gap to the leaders.”
 
Christian Engelhart – driver start number 5:
“I’m really happy with the great results of my first race with Black Falcon. The team gave me a perfect car that always provided enough grip to push it to its limits, especially in situations where I was in tight fights for position. Thank you to the whole team and to my partner for this successful weekend.”
 
Carlos Rivas – driver start number 6:
“I’m happy with the results at the Lausitzring. In the first race, I had to start from position seven due to my penalty from Hockenheim but was able to get up to second position. In the second race, I defended my pole position until the end and scored my first victory. Black Falcon did a great job and I’m really looking forward to the Red Bull Ring now.”