12H Series: Autorama team on a wave of success
TCR VICTORY IN CZECHIA Autorama Motorsport celebrated its third victory of the season on the endurance circuit at the 12 Hours of Brno. The team and driver Fabian Danz continue to lead the championship. In addition to Fabian Danz, who was already involved in the victories in Dubai and Mugello as well as the second place in Spa, the [...]
In addition to Fabian Danz, who was already involved in the victories in Dubai and Mugello as well as the second place in Spa, the fast Finns Kari-Pekka Laaksonen and Antti Buri took the wheel of the VW Golf GTI TCR from Autorama Motorsport. Buri and Laaksonen contested the first three hours on Friday alone (only one driver change), taking the Golf to the intermediate finish just 30 seconds behind the leading Cupra TCR.
Four-way battle at the top
The second part on Saturday was a tough one. The optimum mix of driver quality, consistent lap times, consideration for fuel consumption and tire wear was crucial. Of course, fast and flawless pit stops were also part of it.
The race increasingly developed into a nail-biter. After six hours, four teams, who were constantly changing positions, were only 38 seconds apart. Among them was the team from Wetzikon, technically supported by Wolf-Power Racing. Even a brief rain shower and a slight contact with the enemy by Buri did not throw them off course.
The calculation was a complete success
With seven and a half hours to go, the strategy team, in consultation with the drivers, decided to go on the attack and not spare anything. As a result, only Antti Buri, who had won the ADAC TCR Germany the previous Sunday, and Fabian Danz each drove a double stint. According to the fuel calculation, there should still be four liters left in the tank at the end...
The calculation worked out, and not just thanks to the impeccable work of the pilots. When the only Code 60 phase of the day dawned minutes before the end of the twelve hours, the team was relieved that an extra refueling stop was no longer necessary. With Buri at the wheel, the Swiss TCR Golf once again crossed the finish line in first place in the touring car classes of the European Series.
Incredible feeling
The team, for whom the project manager and team leader spoke, was correspondingly delighted.
Stefan Tanner: "This victory feels incredible. We've often led for a long time in all previous races. Here we were only ahead at the very end. That's what endurance racing is like! The competition once again demanded everything from us. I'm delighted for everyone who has been rewarded for their tireless work."
Since its outright victory at the Dubai 24 Hours in January, Autorama Motorsport by Wolf-Power Racing has been leading both the intercontinental and European rankings of the 24H Series for drivers (with Fabian Danz) and TCE/TCR teams.
Five more Swiss on the podium
Daniel Allemann drove the Porsche 911 GT3 R from Herberth Motorsport in Germany to second place overall and victory in the A6-Am class. The gap to the local winning team from Scuderia Praha and their Ferrari 488 GT3 was just 1'54 minutes. Adrian, Manuel and Philipp Zumstein also made it onto the podium in third place in the A6-Am class with their private Meercedes-AMG GT3.
Martin Kroll and his partners celebrated second place in the GT4 class behind a KTM X Bow in the BMW M4 from Hofor Racing by Bonk Motorsport. This was the second podium for the German-Swiss championship-winning team in 2018 after their victory in the 12 Hours of Mugello. Kroll also finished second as one of the drivers in the A3 class in a BMW M240i Racing Cup entered by Hoffer/Bonk.
The next race will take place from July 5 to 7, 2019 in Portugal (24 Hours of Portimao).
