The opening round of the VLN season at the Nürburgring which took place under blue skies and bright sunshine turned out to be a really spectacular motor sport event. 20 Renault Clio Cup race cars took the start in the Renault Sport Speed Trophy to cover the four hours race distance. The team of Schläppi Race-tec GmbH scored a superior victory after 23 race laps and went right into the championship lead of the VLN overall classification.
Holger Goedicke and Mathias Schläppi already dominated the timed practice session of the 58th ADAC Westfalenfahrt, the first race of the VLN Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring. With a lap time of 10:04,974 minutes around the still wet track of the Nordschleife, the duo set fastest time in class Cup 3 and controlled the other Renault teams. The Schläppi Race-tec GmbH crew finished the race with a brilliant 56th place overall and with a win in class Cup 3 and at the same time in the Renault Sport Sped Trophy.
“We had to master some smaller problems at the beginning of the race. But finally, everything turned out well today. A perfect start of the season”, said a happy Mathias Schläppi. The further strategy of the race driver from Switzerland is clear; “Last year, we finished the Renault classification as vice-champions and we are now ready to fight for the title. We hope that things will continue as successfully as they are now.”
The second place in the Renault Sport Speed Trophy was achieved by Knut Wolf and Marc Beckord, entered by the team of Fleper Motorsport. Beckord’s summary: „The weather was simply fantastic and it was absolutely great fun to race at the Nordschleife with the Clio. We can be really happy with our second position.” The podium was completed by the team of Roadrunner Racing GmbH and with drivers Jürgen Peter and „Rennsemmel“.
Dominik Brinkmann and Thorsten Wolter had an unlucky race. After the start, the team first dropped back into twelfth position after a collision. Brinkmann and Wolter then caught up brilliantly and made it up into the lead of class Cup 3. “I was leading my class but then had to stop in the very last lap due to a lack of fuel”, said a disappointed Brinkmann. “Up to our retirement, we could however demonstrate the excellent potential of our car. We will now definitely not throw in the towel but attack again right at the next race.”
In addition to Brinkmann and Wolter, six other Renault Clio Cup out of the 20 starters had to retire from the race. With 30 points, Holger Goedecke and Mathias Schläppi ate now in the lead of the Renault Speed Trophy. With 9.75 points each, the two drivers are also leading the overall classification in the VLN.
The second round of the VLN Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring, the 36th DMV 4 Hour Race, will take place on 30th April.
