The ADAC Masters Weekend debuted this weekend, 4th to 6th May, at the Dutch track of Zandvoort with its long-standing tradition. A total of 8,500 spectators attended the weekend to watch the twelve races of the ADAC GT Masters and Formel ADAC, ATS Formel-3-Cup, ADAC PROCAR and Supercar Challenge support events.
ADAC GT Masters
The ADAC GT Masters put on a fine spectacle as it premiered at the Dutch circuit at Zandvoort. The first foreign round of the 'League of Super Sports Cars' in 2012 ended with a thrilling scrap between Daniel Keilwitz and Jeroen den Boer. Keilwitz and team-mate Diego Alessi finally emerged victorious against the two local drivers den Boer and Simon Knap - the first Corvette victory in the ADAC GT Masters since 2009; so this represents a home win then for Callaway Competition's 6.2-litre V8 Corvette engine built by Amsterdam-based engine tuner Aart Andriessen.
White-blue dominated the second race of the ADAC GT Masters at Zandvoort. This challenging circuit saw the two Dutch drivers Jeroen den Boer and Simon Knap secure the BMW Z4's first victory in the ADAC GT Masters at their home race. A well-known TV sports personality presented the action-packed events: Andrea Kaiser is now part of the 'ran Racing' team on kabel eins and broadcast live for the first time.
Formel ADAC
First an accident in qualifying, then a home win in the third race: the only woman on the Formel ADAC grid made history at the second race weekend of 2012. After an accident in qualifying, seventeen-year-old Dutch driver Beitske Visser missed the first race on Saturday as a precaution, and finished in the points for the first time in the second race on Sunday. She then rounded off her weekend's racing in her native Holland with her first victory as a Formel ADAC young driver in the third race.
"My back still hurts a bit after the accident in qualifying, but winning has certainly helped me forget the pain," said the Dutch driver. Team-mate Marvin Kirchhöfer was even more successful. The young ADAC Sports Foundation driver secured pole position in practice and posted two dominant victories in the first two races. He was the only youngster from ADAC's Formel 'school' to finish on the podium in all three races.
ATS Formel-3-Cup
The ATS Formel-3-Cup with more powerful engines and the newly introduced push-to-pass system formed part of the ADAC Masters Weekend and was commencing its new season. Three different winners finished on the podium in each race - only Australian Mitchell Gilbert had two finishes in the top three. Jimmy Eriksson won the first race from Lucas Auer and Gilbert. Yannick Mettler took the second race from Rene Binder and John Bryant-Meisner. Third victory of the weekend went to Kimiya Sato from Gilbert and Dennis van de Laar. Auer now leads the rankings from Gilbert after the Zandvoort round.
ADAC PROCAR
The two races of the ADAC PROCAR were peppered with exciting duels around the 'dunes' circuit. Whilst the field quickly settled down in Division 1, drivers in Division 2 fought hard for podium places. Jens Weimann and Guido Thierfelder finally emerged victorious in their respective divisions, repeating their success from Oschersleben. The two delighted winners, now at the head of their divisions, take a comfortable lead to the next race at the Sachsenring.
Supercar Challenge
The Supercar Challenge featuring Corvettes, Ferraris and Vipers, the biggest GT and touring car championship in the Benelux, delighted spectators at Zandvoort with spectacular cars and racing. In the first of two races this weekend, Rick Abresch / Diederick Sijthoff in the GT1 Corvette Cr6 won through against Mad&Daring Racing team-mate Alex van't Hoff. Speedy duo Abresch / Sijthoff also won the second race to round off the ADAC Masters Weekend.