Less than three months remain until the start of one of the world-wide most important motor sport events: the International 24 Hour Race at the Nürburgring. More than 400 race cars, about 800 drivers, at least 200,000 spectators and many hours of TV broadcasting in 140 countries – and right in the middle is the dmsi Youngster-Racing-Team with an Opel Astra OPC entered by Kissling Motorsport.
“The complete package is ready and the show can now finally start”, says Eberhard Kuhna, dmsi board of management for education and training in the DMSB (Deutscher Motor Sport Bund). “The way has been paved and all of our four drivers know by now that they will compete in the most challenging race of the year in their Kissling Opel Astra OPC.”
Since decades, Kissling Motorsport has been one of the most successful teams at the Nürburgring. The team which is based at Bad Müstereifel has scored many victories and championship titles. Stefan Kissling can hardly conceal his anticipation to see his youngster racing. “We are very proud to operate this project together with the dmsj. We really like to work with rookies and we know how well the youngster have been prepared for their race and educated by the Motorsport Academy.”
Before their race twice around the clock, Yannick Fübrich (Heilbronn/ Germany), Sönke Glöde (Stadtallendorf/ Germany), Dennis Näher (Leisel/ Germany) and Christian Schmitz (Herresbach/ Germany) will compete in at least four races of the VLN Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring for testing purposes. “We are very much looking forward to the next weeks and can hardly wait to get back into the cockpit”, the four drivers say unanimously.
For the VLN opening round on 2nd April, the reliable and updated Honda Civic Diesel of the Motorsport Academy Nürburgring will once again be used. “Tuning expert Wetterauer has checked the car in detail during the last weeks. The engine performance was improved and the weight was reduced”, informs team manager Christopher Bartz.
The calendar of the team then includes three VLN rounds in the Kissling Opel Astra OPC. “Three of the four drivers will alternatively start in the races so that each of them still has three races until the 24 Hours”, says team manager Christopher Bartz. The dmsi youngster racing team will compete in the VLN in the class of turbocharged standard production cars up to 2000 cc. As this class is not included as separate class in the programme of the 24 Hours, the rookies will have to compete in the competitive class SP 3T, a category of improved race cars. The configuration of the Astra will nevertheless be mostly standard production. “We will install a bigger fuel tank and a more powerful brake system”, explains Stefan Kissling.
