Mathol-Racing entered two Honda Civic Type R and the Honda S2000GT again at the eighth round of the BFGoodrich Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring. Team manager Matthias Holle, though, again had to score a retirement for the latter.
“It is really a pity and very disappointing, as Norbert and Wolfgang again were in the leading group”, was the summary of Holle after the race. Wolfgang Weber and Norbert Bermes scored quick lap times in the timed practice already. With second grid position in class SP3, the duo hoped to quickly move up into the lead. “Our competitors from the team Kissling Motorsport unfortunately were involved in an accident so that I was in the lead very early”, remembers start driver Bermes.
The S2000GT, which is fondly called “Emmy” by the team, then became capricious. The engine overspeeded twice without any obvious reason. “The clutch was simply slipping”, assumed Bermes. As a consequence, there was temporarily no propulsion. Bermes came to the pits and the team just stopped the race. “It doesn’t make any sense to try and find a temporary solution now as we risk an even bigger damage”, was the reason given by Holle for the retirement. Still during the race, the car was brought back into the team’s workshop and checked. Result: The flywheel was broken for an unknown reason.
Meanwhile, everything was looking much better for the two Civic. Mathol Racing this year predominantly counts on newcomers at the Nordschleife, who should gain experience at this unique circuit and in the endurance racing championship. Lutz Rühl and Jörg Kittelmann share the cockpit in start number 655, they were able to constantly improve their performance and successfully completed a safe race without making any mistakes. Their efforts were recompensed with fourth position in the internal classification of the Civic Cup.
Immediately behind finished James Normann and Michael Edwards with car number 658. These two race drivers from America, too, received the special praise from the team manager, had they finally completed their first race at the Nordschleife after having completed a lot of intensive practice: “All of the four Civic drivers have done exactly what we expected from them. They have scored good lap times, were not involved in any accidents and are continuously learning bit by bit.”
Holle came to a positive conclusion at the end of the race, particularly as the Mathol race cars managed not to be involved in the multiple collision at the beginning of the race. “Just after the first crashes, two of our cars had to pass this section. With a little bit of luck and due to the spectators who gave clear warnings ahead of the dangerous section, we managed to get through safely.”
