Although James Owen did not cross the finish line first in Sunday’s Single-Make GT – Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli race, he became a gold medal winner for Team United Kingdom.
Owen ran much of the half-hour race in second place behind Team Spain’s Ivan Velasco Sanchez, but made a pass on his Ferrari 296 Challenge car with one minute to go for the lead. On the final lap, Sanchez nudged Owen’s Ferrari out of the way to reclaim the top spot and capture the checkered flag first. However, Sanchez was one of several competitors to receive a 25-second penalty for a starting procedure infringement and as a result, Owen was promoted to the win.
Owen’s gold medal was the second of the day for Team United Kingdom.
Finishing second for the silver medal was Team Switzerland’s Christophe Hurni, who also jumped Sanchez as a result of the penalty. The Spaniard hung on to third for the bronze medal.