# 82 TF Corvette wins Chaotic ELMS Race at Imola

When the checkered flag flew after 4 hours of racing, the UK TF Sport Team # 82 Z06 GT3.R Corvette won the LMGT3 class in the third round of the European Le Mans Series at Imola in Italy.

 Charlie Eastwood (Ireland), Rui Andrade (Angola) and Hiroshi Koizumi (Japan) were victorious in a race where rain and full course caution periods made things very tricky throughout the entire race.

Koizumi started far in the back (8th out of 13 LMGT3 cars) but moved up as rain, sometimes heavy, caused other drivers to go off track while their crews struggled with choosing tires and managing fuel.

Andrade took over and admitted that luck was a factor before turning the Corvette over to Eastwood who conserved tires and fuel to hold off Miguel Molina of the Swiss Kessel Racing team # 74 Ferrari 296 GT3.

The TF Team also won the LMP2 Pro Am class with their # 99 spec Gibson-powered Oreca 07 chassis piloted by PJ Hyett, Dane Cameron and Louis Deletraz, familiar names for those who follow IMSA GTP in the US.

In the words of Jessica Dane, Corvette Racing Program Manager, “Professionalism paid off with the right decisions and strategy calls.”

Get personal with driver interviews: https://youtu.be/eViMBCHOOw0

Photo credits: ELMS & associated parties.

 The series takes a long recess until August 22 at SPA in Belgium.