GEBHARDT Motorsport celebrated an overall victory in the Prototype Cup Germany at the Norisring and won the trophy classification once.
The Prototype Cup Germany kicked off the second half of the season at the legendary Norisring. 112,000 spectators created a special atmosphere at Germany's only city circuit. GEBHARDT Motorsport lined up at the start of the traditional street circuit with three Duqueine D08. The two LMP3 stars Oscar Tunjo and Valentino Catalano drove the team's top car, which was entered by the Badischer Motorsport Club. Michael Herich and Alexzander Kristiansson piloted the car with start number #1, while Jacob Erlbacher and Swiss driver Jérémy Siffert drove the car with #80.
It became clear early on that GEBHARDT Motorsport would be a force to be reckoned with on the circuit around the stone grandstand. Oscar Tunjo and Valentino Catalano set the fastest times in both practice sessions. Jérémy Siffert also finished second in the first practice session and impressed with his speed.
Catalano started the first race from pole position. The reigning champion lost his best position at the start, but fought his way back to the front in the following laps. In the second half of the race, Oscar Tunjo ultimately drove to a commanding victory. Jacob Erlbacher was in second place for a long time, but at the start of the second half of the race, the car retired after Jérémy Siffert crashed out in the Grundig hairpin. Michael Herich and Alexzander Kristiansson finished the race in second place in the Trophy classification.
On Sunday, Oscar Tunjo, who was weakened by flu in Nuremberg, took pole position. The car lost its best starting position at the start. Tunjo and Catalano put in a strong comeback in the race, but were ultimately narrowly beaten. The battle for victory thrilled the fans at the Norisring. In the end, the winning car was just 0.305 seconds ahead. Jacob Erlbacher and Jérémy Siffert took fourth place. Michael Herich and Alexzander Kristiansson finished the race in sixth place, giving Herich his fourth victory of the season in the Trophy classification.
‘We enjoyed the atmosphere at the Norisring – the crowds clearly showed that motorsport is alive and well and that there is still a lot of interest,’ said Fritz Gebhardt. "Oscar and Valentino put in a great performance over the weekend with two pole positions, a win and a close second place on Sunday, even though Oscar was not feeling his best at the start. Jacob and Jérémy also put in a great performance in Nuremberg. It's a shame that the car retired on Saturday, as a podium finish would have been possible here. We are also delighted that Michael Herich secured another victory in the Trophy classification."
Valentino Catalano moved up to fourth place in the championship thanks to his strong performance, despite not competing in all races. Michael Herich is second in the Trophy standings, as the regulations favour drivers who compete in the race as solo drivers.
The Prototype Cup Germany will resume in around a month's time when the LMP3 championship visits the Nürburgring from 8 to 10 August.
