The final part of the battle in the Porsche Cup class at the DMV Four Hour Race was really exciting. The nine-eleven of the leading Team Flying Horse ran out of fuel shortly before the race end when Kai Riemer came up with a brilliant idea just in time.
The incident was preceded by a long fight with the GetSpeed Porsche. Under the changing weather conditions, the two Cup Porsche were fighting about the class win over the complete race distance. Kai Riemer hereby gave his comeback in this class in the team with Harald Hennes, Thomas Gerling and Thomas Kappeler. Due to the temporarily slowed-down performance in the rain, both crews finally took the risk to start the final lap without proceeding to an additional refuel stop.
“I was of course in radio contact with my team manager Nikolaus Arkenau and we agreed that I should switch on the emergency pump as soon as the low fuel warning light would flash up”, explained Riemer how this risky decision was taken. “At the approach to the section Kesselchen, the light then flashed up and, as agreed, I switched on the reserve.”
The remaining fuel was sufficient to arrive at the Tiergarten corner from where the Porsche rolled without engine power further to the uphill section behind the Hohenrain chicane where it came to a stop. To the great luck of team and the drivers, the Cup-Porsche yet has another pump that can be used in case of fuel problems. Activated with this small amount of fuel, the boxer engine restarted and Riemer was able to proceed for the final metres to the finish line – even though at slow speed.
Meanwhile, he was informed by radio that his advance now was six minutes due to the retirement of his direct rival. Considering the risky action of the Flying-Horse team, Adam Osieka, who had previously started to catch up in his GetSpeed Porsche, probably felt himself compelled to also complete the final lap without splash-and-dash fuel stop. He, in contrast, had to stop the race shortly after the Galgenkopf corner, also with empty fuel tank.
Without the danger to be finally still caught up, Riemer made it to the finish line. Completely excited about this manoeuvre and with the crowd cheering at the pit wall, he pushed his race car thereafter on the Nürburgring start and finish straight.
Following his first participation in the Cup-Porsche after quite a long break, Riemer of course was highly satisfied: “That was my first race in the Team of Kappeler Motorsport. I am delighted about the relaxed manner in the team and the focus laid on the common target. Despite my spin and the time penalties, we were thus able to score a class win and, in addition, once again I had really great fun in racing!”
