To stop Sabine Schmitz is not as simple as one would think. Even a beginning pneumonia could not prevent her, who was driving for the team Früh Frikadelli Racing together with her partner Klaus Abbelen, from performing a splendid race in the BFGoodrich Langstreckenmeisterschaft with the Porsche 997 GT3 RSR. Despite wet and cold weather conditions, nobody could stop the two local heroes from racing at the same high level as the works teams and showing an almost perfect race.
In practice already, Schmitz was setting the pace. Just before the chequered flag came out, she started a last attack with a slightly modified rain set-up. “My lap was almost clear of traffic. I could perhaps have pushed even harder but I am very happy as it is now”, the racing driver informed happily. With a lap time of 10:05,507 minutes, she moved the Friko-Porsche in fourth position and on the second row of the grid.
She would not be able to keep this position for long after the flying start to the four hour race. The two Manthey Porsche passed her already before the Mercedes-Arena but she was able to repel the attack of Hans-Joachim Stuck in the Audi A8. There was an exciting battle going on in the first lap under very difficult track conditions. “The track marshals have really done a very great job today as they warned us drivers of all the possibly dangerous sections”, Sabine Schmitz praised the work done by the marshals. She had to come to the pits, however, at the end of her third lap as the track was now almost dry. “That was drifting for experts. An Audi went off just ahead of me and my car, too, broke away but I managed to get it back under control.” She rejoined the race with fresh slick tyres and with highest motivation.
Ten laps later, she returned to the pits to hand over the Porsche steering wheel to Klaus Abbelen. She should have a rest due to her health problems and recover a little from the stresses and strains of the first third of the race. Only five laps later, ‘Frikadelli’ Klaus Abbelen came back again. “I have done only a short stint today as Sabine was performing so well today and we all wanted her to secure our good position”, informed a very happy Klaus Abbelen after the race.
The last race laps then became very exciting again. It started to rain again and some competitors changed back to rain tyres – but not the team Früh Frikadelli Racing. This courageous strategy turned out to be a success and after 27 race laps, the quick team took the chequered flag into fifth place overall and in second class position. “We are more than happy. Last but not least, we have been waiving the flag for the privateers amongst all of the works teams”, stated Klaus Abbelen who would like to finish amongst the leading group at the last race of the season on 31st of October again with the team Früh Frikadelli Racing.
And the whole Früh Frikadelli Racing team was able to celebrate its success in the ‘Eifel Stadl’ in front of the “little brother” of the Friko-Porsche– the Cup Porsche was transported to the prizegiving ceremony of the ‘new style’ the previous day to be exhibited – probably a good omen and a true mascot.
