For years had the Team Derscheid Motorsport managed by team manager Rolf Derscheid set the standard in class V2 of the endurance racing championship Nürburgring (VLN). Due to the low number of competitors in this class, the team has however always missed the very big success by a few championship points.
Rolf Derscheid (Much/ Germany) is considered to be one of the most modest team managers in VLN. He has nevertheless ambitious targets which he pursues consistently year by year. He narrowly missed the podium two years ago as “vice champion” and last year, the low number of competitors in class V2 spoiled their target to finish into a good championship position. The Team Derscheid therefore changes into a higher class and hopes for more cars in that class. “We will enter a BMW 325i saloon car in class V4. There are much more cars in this category and we can hence score much more points if we finish into top positions. For the more starters you have in your class, the more points are awarded in the classification – so the more competition, the more honour”, says team manager Rolf Derscheid. At the same time, he stops all ambitions to already fight for the championship in their very first year in class V4.
It is the first year in a new race car and in a new class, so we have to gain a lot of experience first and the competition has to be closely observed, he adds. Although the new car was practically ready to race when it was purchased, perfectionist Derscheid and his mechanical staff have been working on the car throughout the winter months. “There were quite a lot of small thing to change”, he informs. “The car was fitted with a new suspension unit of KW, we installed another seat, changed the steering wheel position and a lot of detailed work was completed. As our previous main sponsor has stopped his support and some negotiations with possible sponsors are currently carried out, the final design of the car has not yet been completed.” A little more than three weeks remain for the team to finish the race car as the first round shall take place on 2nd April. The drivers, however, have already been confirmed as follows: In addition to team manager Rolf Derscheid, regular drivers Michael Flehmer (Heiligenhaus/ Germany) and Ralph-Peter Moog (Korlingen/ Germany) will complete the team in the BMW 325i.
Small car to remain in V2
Derscheid does however not want to completely abandon his successful race vehicle of the last years and will continue to enter the car in class V2 with a new team of drivers. “We know the potential of the car and that it is absolutely competitive in its class. We have completely revised the car during winter and did not only replace wearing parts”, informs Derscheid regarding the V2 project. Matthias Butz (Bergisch Gladbach/ Germany) and Martin Hörter (Ransbach/ Germany) are under contract as drivers with the team manager and they will both compete in V2 from the first round at the rollercoaster race track of the Nürburgring. Butz has already completed many laps in the Derscheid-BMW during the free Friday practice sessions of last year. Martin Hörter has already gained experience in racing as he has been a regular driver in the VLN races in various classes. Derscheid places great confidence into his drivers: “We know all the “newcomers” very well and they all have already been part of our team. The drivers and I, we all know what we are getting into. I think that, considering the drivers in both cars, we have a competitive team which will be able to fight for points.” There are no further amendments as informs Derscheid further. “Why should we – the crew has been working together vey closely and very successfully since years so there is no reason for further changes!”
The Team Derscheid will compete in all of the ten VLN races with both cars. They are also planning to enter the 24h Race at the Nürburgring and the Nordschleife.
