Jasmin Preisig: "It finally worked out".
FIRST VLN VICTORY IN THE TCR CAR August 1 was a holiday not only for Nico Müller in the DTM. Jasmin Preisig also had the pleasure of a class win at the Nürburgring, as did Ivan Jacoma. After being absent from the first three races of the VLN endurance series at the Nürburgring, Max Kruse Racing returned with its two VW Golf [...]
After being absent from the first three races of the VLN endurance series at the Nürburgring, Max Kruse Racing made an impressive return to the Nordschleife with its two VW Golfs - and with the Germans also Swiss Jasmin Preisig.
In a completely rainy qualifying session, regular drivers Andy Gülden and Benny Leuchter put the two VW Golf GTI TCRs, modified for use in the SP3T class, on the first two grid positions. The four-hour race itself began in mixed track conditions and ended in summer weather.
Intra-team duel for class victory
Midway through the race, the fast VW brand ambassador from Schwellbrunn had taken over the number #10 Golf from double starter Leuchter in the lead. In the other car with the #333, Dutchman Tom Coronel, who was practicing for September's WTCR round, completed a three-hour stint from the start before handing over to Leuchter.
Gülden and Leuchter drove away from the rest of the SP3T field, crossing the finish line in a photo finish and thus securing the double victory for the team. Afterwards, the woman from Appenzell was able to celebrate with Gülden and Leuchter - on Switzerland's national holiday.
Jasmin Preisig: "I am mega happy! Finally it worked out with the victory! The whole day went great and both cars were in front from the start despite difficult conditions. It was very exhausting due to the heat, but it was still extremely fun. I'm glad that we were able to bring our performance to the finish line for once!"
30th victory for Ivan Jacoma, reward for Peugeot private team
Ivan Jacoma has long known what it feels like to win a class. But the 30th success at this year's first start on the Nordschleife was still something special for the head of Porsche Centro Ticino. With Kai Riemer as his partner on the 718 Cayman GT4 CS, they took almost 70 seconds off the ten opponents in the Cup3 class over the distance.
After their bad luck in the last race, the Peugeot RCZ of Max Langenegger and Bernhard Badertscher needed a lot of time for repair. Although they were solo in the SP2T class, the finish, rewarded with a big trophy, was a nice reward.
Other good Swiss placings
In cooperation with Bonk Motorsport, Hofor Racing brought its two BMW M4 GT4 in third and fourth position of the SP10 class over the 25 laps.
At the first start with last year's TCR champion team mathilda racing (with Frédéric Yerly, who is taking a break in 2020), Matthias Schläppi finished sixth with two Germans in the SP3T class dominated by Max Kruse Racing.
Also 6th among twelve teams on identical BMW M240i Racing came former Young Driver Gustavo Xavier with two Germans in the Cup 5 class.
Alex Imperatori just misses the podium
Best Swiss in the race won by the BMW teams Rowe Racing and Walkenhorst Motorsport with their private M6 GT3s was Alexandre Imperatori.
With works driver Romain Dumas and Porsche junior Dennis Olsen as partners, the Freiburg native (resident in Shanghai), who drives with a Chinese license, finished 50 seconds behind the fastest of the two Porsche 911 GT3 R cars from KCMG in fourth place overall. In addition, this car marked the fastest race lap.
The two-minute highlights primarily show the decision in the battle for overall victory.
