Goran Laitkam Champions Photo Play Grand Prix Quiz Finals

Goran Laitkam Champions Photo Play Grand Prix Quiz Finals

Players from all over met at the German Photo Play event of the year, the Grand Prix Championship in Geiselwind, Bavaria, this month from the 7 - 9 November with Goran Laitkam taking the title of champion for 2003 followed closely by Thomas Saier in second place and Martin Ulbrich in third - winners pictured.

The 2003 Grand Prix Championship began with a field of 30 competing for a place in the top 16. The competition continued with 8x2 players playing against each other until the final showdown when favourite, Goran Laitkam (Marcus Insel, Ebersbach), challenged the surprise candidate, Thomas Saier (Spielodrom, Reutlingen).

An "AUTO BILD motorsport" photographer documented the two Swabian's thrilling duel for an article in the magazine's coming edition. There was no saying who would become Formula 1 knowledge champion until the very last second. Finally Goran Laitkam, who had been able to decide all of the three previous qualifyings for himself, won the game very closely. The third place went to the youngest player in the field of participants, the 15-year-old Martin Ulbrich of Galaxis Media Park, Neugablonz.

During the presentation ceremony all players were given a certificate as well as cheers and ovations by the Photo Play fan community. The top three players were awarded cups, champagne and flowers. The AUTO BILD magazine added annual subscriptions and exclusive travelling bags.

While the German champion, Goran Laitkam, was honoured, a surprise was kept ready by Grand Prix Championship's partner AUTO BILD - Laitkam received a VIP-guest invitation to the motor show in Essen including a meeting with up and coming motor racing youngsters such as Lauda junior. In the frame of the motor show in Essen, Goran Laitkam will once more be presented with his cup in a ceremony at Auto Bild's fair booth. The cup is an original Formula 1 Ferrari spare part.

Many of the players are now expectantly looking forward to Alpach, the site of the next major Photo Play event - the Photo Play WORLD GAMES scheduled for March 2004.

Players have until February 29 to qualify for participation in the Photo Play WORLD GAMES via all linked Photo Play terminals.

"Live events promote players' relations and the enthusiasm for Photo Play. Players don't want to miss the qualifying for these events," said Marco Huter, Funworld Ag's sales and marketing executive.