This weekend a historic F1 circuit was on the program for me, the Hockenheimring, several consecutive fast corner combinations, a long fast part where you have to brake hard afterwards and a technical part where at the slightest mistake you can lose some time. In my young career a lot of tracks are new for me and my team mate Ian Gepts and I could already taste the circuit because of a test day planned by the team. They did not only drive with us the 3h race of the Belcar Endurance Series but they also participate on Saturday and Sunday in the 2-part 12h of the Hockenheimring powered by Hankook. This is the reason why our other team mate Pieder Decurtins had to pass for this Belcar round and wanted to fully concentrate on the 12h race. This extra test day meant that we were a bit more prepared for the weekend, so we could adjust the set-up of the car if necessary and work on some details to get a good result.
On Friday, we could show during the official test whether we had made the right decisions and see what our direct opponents were doing in terms of lap times. It soon became clear that our expectations were correct, our pace was good and the new Porsche 992 GT3 cups could prove to be a very difficult opponent to overtake. Ian and I were clocking up consistent lap times that were barely separated so we felt that we could fight it out for a good place on the podium this weekend. In the meantime the second part of the team also performed well during the practice sessions for the 12 hour race, the Porsche GT3 R showed that it had the pace to fight at the front again and that strategy could become very important. The real work starts on Saturday with the very early qualifying session for the Porsche, they will have to compete directly with the Ferrari's, Audi's,... Who were also strong in Mugello. A strong qualifying ensures that they can start the 12h Saturday afternoon from P5, which is a small improvement compared to Mugello where they started from P7. We can start our qualifying around noon and it will start wet because of a rain shower. The rain will soon disappear and change to sunshine, so halfway the session we can switch to slicks and try to set the top times. In the end Ian will drive a great 2nd time with a 1.38.708 and we will start the 3h behind Russel Racing on Sunday morning. With their turbo car they were able to undercut our time by a second and clearly show that they want to be strong again this weekend after their victory in the 1st Belcar Manche. The tension rises in the box just after our session, because the 12-hour race is about to start, the engines are warming up, the last checks are being carried out and the cars are leaving for the grid. A very aggressive start ensures that Pieders' car can immediately climb up from 5th to 3rd place. They will be able to work their way up to P2 through a reasonably accident-free race when the first part of the race is completed at 20:00. The cars enter the refuelling zone where they will remain until Sunday afternoon when the second part starts. The atmosphere within the team is great. Good starting position for us on Sunday and Pieder, together with Manuel Lauck and Mark Basseng, also does great in the 12h.
On Sunday morning, it's up to us to be up to speed straight away. Belcar is the first race on the track and the weather forecast is favourable, dry, sunny and the rain would start just after the race. The start of the race will be taken by Ian and as expected, the new 992's are a formidable opponent, we lose a few places but get through the first laps whitout any accidents. Ian tries to increase the pace lap by lap and to catch up with the GT-cars. After a few laps we are back in second position but the pace of the Russel car is firm, very firm. He will keep a gap of about 23sec until they come in for their 1st pitstop. Ian is still out there though, taking over the lead and the lap times remain very consistent. Eventually he has to come in for refuelling and I take over the wheel from him and try to keep our lead. We can strengthen our lead even more because at that moment Russell is driving slower lap times and we soon manage to create a comfortable gap. The last mandatory pitstops almost coincide and so we can stay P1. Russell however did not notice that the compulsory light bar on top of the Norma came loose on one side. They will therefore have to come in to the pit again a few laps later to carry out a quick repair. So the gap becomes even bigger. Just before the end of the race a radio message came from the Norma saying that something had appeared on the dashboard and Ian came back in. In the end it turns out to be nothing and we can finish the race in a controlled way which means we cross the line as the winner. My very first professional victory, after a tremendously consistent race on a beautiful circuit. A triumphant feeling that will certainly have to sink in later on in the day. But we have set a good example, so we urge Pieder to take the double. Time is ticking towards 2.30pm when the Porsche is woken up and can start the second part. After 2 warm-up laps under safety car, the 12h starts again and Mark immediately dives around the Ferrari that started on P1. Changing strategies ensure that positions fluctuate and it is never certain who will eventually walk away with victory. When with an hour to go a code60 is added because something has happened. The Haegeli by T2 Racing Porsche GT3 R comes in for its last pitstop and can take just enough fuel to finish the race. They are on P1 and only need to stay out of trouble for an hour, the tension in the box is rising enormously and all eyes are turned towards the screens. The minutes and seconds tick away and finally they do it, we can celebrate the double. P1 was written in the stars for us this time. A weekend that turned into a great party. The performance of the drivers and the whole team matched perfectly. My first victory will definitely stay with me for a very long time and hopefully we can do this again in Spa-Francorchamps.
