VLN Race 8

Date: 3 October 2015 //

Place: Nürburgring, Germany//

Organiser: VLN //

Team: Adrenalin Motorsport and Teichmann/Frozenspeed Racing

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I had not planned to drive this weekend, but late Friday evening I got an offer I could not refuse…:-) so ended up driving the Frozenspeed Racing SP7 Porche 911 GT3 prepared by Teichmann Racing with my fellow Norwegian friends Torleif Nytroen and Morten Skyer. Being a 2009 MK1 997, the car is not the most competitive in the class, but still brilliant fun. First time for me in this model, so approached it with respect; stick sequential Porsche was also a first for me. The car had been perfect for Morten andVLN15Z_0770D Torleif in the Friday free practice, I joined the team too late for the Friday test, so puzzled faces when Morten had to abort the first qualifying lap with “rear not behaving well”. Nothing could be seen so Torleif took it out on GP and immediately came back with the same message. After much head-scratching something was tightened at the rear left, Torleif set off again, reported “all well” and completed his qualifying lap. I then got into the car for the first time; quick explanation of the buttons and switches and off; two laps were programmed. The car felt a bit more nervous than the 997 MK2 from the previous two races, but the stick sequential was no problem, just more work. Found 9:06 in my 2nd lap and that was the quickest qualifying lap in the car, but not better than 13th of 15 in class (P51 of 155 overall), oh well.

Torleif started and had a greVLN15Y_0565Dat 8-lap stint putting in a couple of 8:58 laps, fighting with and beating another Teichmann car, improving our position to P12 and P37 overall. Morten took over and maneuvered the car safely through a 9-lap stint that was plagued by lots of code-60, dropping to P42 overall, but improving to P11 in class. Finally it was my turn! Car felt gVLN15AH_0057Dreat and I quickly got settled into a good rhythm, but just as the lap-times began to tumble the tyres started to degrade. After a couple of unexpected oversteers, I decided to stop pushing and settled for bringing the car back home safely. However, when the Manheller SP6 BMW that I had previously overtaken started to show in the mirror, I found enough inspiration to at least keep him behind me. Final result P35 overall and P12 in class – and lots of fun, thanks guys!

Thanks to Jochen @ Frozenspeed Motorsport Photography for fantastic photos – as always!

As usual, I also did data Analysis and Coaching for Adrenalin Motorsport.