Marvin Dienst and Berkay Besler set the fastest time of the first free practice session in the Prototype Cup Germany at a rainy Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. Torsten Kratz and Leonard Weiss were second fastest, ahead of the pairing of Axcil Jefferies and Maximilian Hackländer.
The competitors in the Prototype Cup Germany had to cope with rain in the first free practice session, which resulted in one or two spins. However, they managed to avoid any impact with the crash barriers, meaning all the teams and drivers can continue their preparations for this afternoon’s first qualifying session.
Berkay Besler (23/TUR, Toksport WRT) coped best with the conditions, setting the fastest lap time in his Ligier. The Turkish driver and his team-mate Marvin Dienst (25/Lampertheim) lead the championship ahead of the final two races of the season. Torsten Kratz (51/Mönchengladbach) and Leonard Weiss (24/Monschau, both WTM Racing) were second fastest on the 4.574-kilometre track, 0.248 seconds slower than the two Duqueine drivers. Axcil Jefferies (28/ZWE) and Maximilian Hackländer (32/Rüthen, Konrad Motorsport) were also within striking distance of the leaders, with a deficit of 0.387 seconds. Dany Soufi (19/USA, Konrad Motorsport) was fourth, with fifth place going to Sebastian von Gartzen (29/Butzbach) and Gary Hauser (30/LUX, Racing Experience).
Meanwhile, Rory Penttinen (42/FIN, MRS GT-Racing) was seventh fastest on his debut in the Prototype Cup Germany, while his team MRS GT-Racing is also new to the LMP3 series. “We had a few issues, because the display failed. Plus, this is my first time in Hockenheim. However, I like driving in the wet and am glad to be racing in the Prototype Cup Germany.” MRS GT-Racing’s outing in Hockenheim was arranged somewhat hastily, with principal Karsten Molitor’s team only able to complete its first kilometres with the brand-new Ligier JS P320 yesterday afternoon. “This is the team’s first LMP3 race, but I have driven in this class before. I hope I can help them a little with my experience,” said Finland’s Penttinen.
