Marc VDS take stunning wet Monza win

The #3 Marc VDS Racing BMW Z4 of Bas Leinders, Markus Palttala and Maxime Martin scored victory in the opening Blancpain Endurance Series race at Monza.

Torrential rain at the Italian autodrome saw the race started under the safety car, with 35 minutes elapsing before the green flag fell on the bumper 53 car field.

2011 championship runners-up, Leinders and Palttala produced impressive early stints to move the BMW up the order from its 18th place starting spot.

Martin took the car next and produced lap times up to three seconds quicker than his nearest rivals. From P5 he cut his way to the head of the field with relative ease, then finished with a flourish to ensure the Belgian squad victory by 17 seconds.

Runner-up spot went to the WRT Audi R8 of Marco Bonanomi, Edward Sandstrom and Laurens Vanthoor with the KRK Mercedes SLS of Koen Wauters, Karl Wendlinger and Anthony Kumpen completing the rostrum.

PRO-AM class honours went to the #57 Vita4One Italy Ferrari 458 of Eugenio Amos, Giacomo Petrobelli and Alessandro Bonacini with the Gentlemen Trophy claimed by Kessel Racing trio Pablo Paladino, Paolo Andreasi and Bejamino Caccia.

Meanwhile motorcycle racing legend Valentino Rossi made his series debut in a Kessel-run Ferrari 458 alongside fellow countryman Alessio Salucci. The duo finished 18th overall and ninth in class.

The series next races takes place at British venue Silverstone on June 3.

Watch Blancpain Endurance Series action on Motors TV


James Weeks