Brno in the Czech Republic was the scene of Round 3 of the FIA GT1 World Championship. The weekend started with the threat of rain for the free practice session on Friday. In the pre-qualifier on this day, the track was occasionally in a heavy wet state.

Winners the last time out, the #22 Sumo Power GT GT-R (Hughes/Campbell-Walter) was carrying 40kgs success ballast. Meanwhile, the #23 GT-R was expected to show a good performance this time.

In the Saturday qualifying session, using a knockout formula, the #4 GT-R of Seiji Ara was unable to advance to Q2. - We planned to stay 16th which would have allowed us in to Q2, but at the end we got knocked out with 17th, - he commented.

With Karl Wedlinger attacking, he got to 15th in Q1 in the #3 Swiss Racing Team GT-R. Then Henry Moser took over for Q2, ending the qualifying sessions with 15th on the grid.

The only one to advance to Q3 was the #23 GT-R of Michael Krumm, attacking to take 4th position overall and the most significant result for the Nissan cars. Here the strategy for the qualifying race is being discussed between the two drivers and the Technical Director.

In the qualifying race, which took place on Saturday evening, the #23 GT-R ran steadily from the start, moving up to 2nd place in the first half but lost time due to problems with the air jack during the pit stop. The car finished the one-hour race in 3rd place, netting its first series' points of the season.

Ara's partner Max Nilsson (right). The #4 GT-R was handed over to Ara for the second half of the race, who pushed intensely. He pushed hard at a pace close to that of the #23 GT-R's best time, moving up two positions to take the chequered flag in 15th

The #3 GT-R started the qualifying race 15th in the hands of youngster Moser. He pitted from 16th place. Wendlinger took over for the second half, passing four cars to finish in 12th. A strong performance was expected for the championship race.

Wendlinger, - Our car has definitely progressed, and we're setting lap times equal to the top group, keeping up even in the qualifying race. Our pace has clearly risen, - he commented.

The final race, known as the championship race, took place on Sunday. Sunshine poured through the clouds onto a dry track surface. After going off track on the last lap of the preceding day's qualifying race, repairs to the damaged front of the #22 GT-R were completed in time for the morning's warm up session.

Starting from 3rd on the grid, Krumm immediately moved the #23 GT-R up one position to 2nd. Shortly after, on the third lap, because of a car going off track, the Safety Car was called out. After that, the #23 GT-R temporarily ran in the top spot due to a penalty for the leading car, and the expectation of a second successive victory for the GT-R increased.

Meanwhile, the #3 Swiss Racing Team GT-R qualified 12th and finished in tenth, earning the car its first championship points. The #4 GT-R ended up 15th. - It's unfortunate to finish without being able to show the capability of the car. I'm familiar with the track at the next round, Paul Ricard, so will be pushing hard from the start there, - said #4 GT-R driver Ara.

The #23 GT-R ran at the head of the field behind the Safety Car the 2nd time it came out, during which time the machine made its pit stop. On the same lap, 17 cars made their stops and with machines ahead and behind in the pitlane, the #23 GT-R was delayed in its exit, dropping to third place.

Taking the wheel for the second half, Dumbreck tried to catch and overtake the #5 Ford GT and #7 Aston Martin, and an intense battle among the three cars developed for 15 laps, but there was no reversal of position and the GT-R crossed the finish line in 3rd place.

For the second time in a row, the Sumo Power GT GT-R earned a podium finish. Krumm, - It's regrettable that we lost positions exiting the pits, but to be on the podium in both the qualifying race and the championship race makes me extremely happy,- he said afterwards.