The fight about the title in the Opel Astra OPC Cup remains exciting. The top teams have closed the gaps amongst each other at the seventh round of the Opel Make Cup within the framework of the VLN endurance racing championship event last weekend. After his victory at the 45th ADAC Barbarossapreis race, Mario Merten (Kelberg/ Germany) was able to reduce the gap to the championship leaders Jannik Olivo and Elmar Jurek. The two drivers from Berlin had taken the start from pole position and were dominating the race for quite a long time when they came to the pits for an additional refuel stop shortly before the four hours race duration had elapsed. After that, the road was clear for Merten who was supported by the current VLN Champion Ullrich Andree (Cologne) at his second victory in the Cup. Jurek and Olivo took the chequered flag with a gap of 23.340 seconds behind the Opel Astra OPC with start number 350. This is the 70th class win for Merten in the VLN.
“This was a very important victory in terms of the Championship”, said Merten after the prizegiving ceremony. “The decision in the Opel Astra OPC Cup is not yet taken as there are still two races to go.” The championship table after seven races shows him in second place with a score of 125 points and 22 points behind the leading driver duo Olivo / Jurek. For more than three and a half hours, these top two drivers provided a fantastic battle about the lead for the Opel fans around the Nürburgring Nordschleife. “The fight about first place was really great fun and it was absolutely fair”, said Andree with a compliment to his competitors who, in turn, were happy to return the compliment. “It was a great fight. We always gave each other enough room during the many overtaking manoeuvres.” Jurek and Olivo lost the possible victory in the final stage of the race only. “We came to the pits once again for refuelling just before the race end. This was a safety stop as it was not clear whether we would be able to complete another full lap”, explained Jannik Olivo. A clever decision of the team from the tactical point of view because each point counts in this highly competitive Cup.
Thomas Gerling (Uchte/ Germany) made his debut in the Opel Astra OPC Cup to substitute Michael Brüggenkamp (Gersheim/ Germany) who had to cancel his participation on short notice in the Astra with start number 344. At his first participation in the VLN, Gerling finished together with his team mate Thorsten Wolter (Berlin) in third Cup position. The happiness in the finish was accordingly high: “This is absolutely fantastic”, said the 46 years old race driver. “Of course, I had first of all to get used to the 300 HP strong Astra but I had the feeling to drive safely and quickly came very quickly.” Having taken the start from fourth grid position Gerling and Wolter were quickly able to move into third class position which they would not abandon until the finish. “We have completed a safe and regular race which might have been the key to success today. We have achieved our target to defend the third place against the Fins pushing behind us.”
The leaders in the championship after seven out of nine races in the current season are Jannik Olivo and Elmar Jurek with 147 points. With a gap of 22 points into second place follow Mario Merten with 125 points and two races to go. Thorsten Wolter and Michael Brüggenkamp (108.5 points) have now moved into third championship position after their third place in the race.
The fight about the championship will enter into its final stage in only two weeks time. The eighth race of the Opel Astra OPC Cup on 12 October 2013 will cover the distance of four hours again. An early decision about the championship title in the Opel Astra OPC Cup will not be at this time but Mario Merten as well as Elmar Jurek and Jannik Olivo can well prepare their title win that weekend. The Opel fans may look forward to an exciting final in the battle for the title.
