![Sandy finishes P4 in Monza](/img/files/20230921/iq8007f10c1f05a0ff7ab62e68be2746cd.jpg)
The third round of the Campeonato Italiano Gran Turismo Endurance (CIGTE) took place at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza just outside Milan, Italy. Thai racing driver Sandy Kraokaew Stuvik once again teamed up with Audi Sport Italia in their Audi R8 GT3 Evo2 for the penultimate round of the championship.
Friday's practice sessions consisted of setup work and fine tuning the car for Saturday's qualifying session and Sunday's 2-hour race.
Sandy shared the driving duties with teammate Luca-Maria Attianese, with the Thai driver taking the wheel in Q1, the Italian in Q2, with Sandy back in for the final qualifying session of Q3. The duo qualified P6 overall, P5 in class. The field consisted of 21 cars in total.
Sunday's race would follow the order of the qualifying, meaning Sandy would take the start. The Thai driver had a good launch as the lights went green, but the Audi's lack of power meant he lost positions in the start during the run to turn 1. After a few laps the Thai driver regained his 6th position, and then pitted to hand over to Attianese. The Italian driver completed a successful stint to return the car to the Thai driver to close out the race. Sandy got back behind the wheel and began hunting down 5th place overall, and managed to overtake a lap before the end to claim a top 5. "This was certainly always going to be a challenge with the characteristic of the Audi being very slow on the straights, we didn't have much of a chance but we never gave up. The team did a fantastic job all weekend and especially during the pitstops, so I am proud of what we have achieved together because it is the maximum we could do this weekend. It is a shame that the BOP is so against our favour, but we remain positive for the final round in Vallelunga, where the circuit characteristic should minimize the weakness of our car. Nevertheless, we will never give up and we will aim to finish the championship on a high note!' Says Sandy after the race.
The final round of the championship will take place on October 13-15 at the Vallelunga Circuit just outside Rome, Italy.
Sandy is honoured to be supported by The Pizza Company, B-Quik, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Jet8 Aviation, Thai Airways, 4F, Dacon Trading, Thaiwings Travel Agency, the Sports Authority of Thailand, and the Royal Automobile Association of Thailand.