Prototype Cup Germany on the support programme for the ADAC Truck Grand Prix. Guest start for local favourite Klaus Abbelen and the Frikadelli team. Freddie Hunt, son of former Formula 1 world champion James, starts in a Reiter Ligier.

There will be a certain Le Mans flair in the Eifel this weekend. The Nürburgring (15th to 17th July) hosts the second race weekend of the new Prototype Cup Germany. The LMP3 series, organised by the ADAC and Dutch promoter Creventic, lines up on the support programme for the ADAC Truck Grand Prix. Packed grandstands and a feast of spectacular motorsport are guaranteed. The two races, which last roughly one hour, will be streamed live and free of charge on Saturday and Sunday at youtube.com/adac, adac.de/motorsport and youtube.com/24hseries.

A team from the Eifel region is set to take its place among the international field at round two of the Prototype Cup Germany: Frikadelli Racing from Barweiler will make a guest appearance with a Ligier JS P320. At the wheel will be the experienced Klaus Abbelen, who knows the Nordschleife like the back of his hand. “I am pleased that there is now an LMP3 racing series in a German-speaking area. The LMP3 concept is on the rise internationally. The cars are attractive and fun,” says Abbelen. “The Nürburgring is our home circuit, so we want to put on a great show for the fans there. From a sporting perspective, we want to compete at the front. The top three is definitely the goal.” In the two Duqueine D08 teams Rinaldi Racing and Wochenspiegel Team Monschau, with local favourites Leonard Weiss/Thorsten Kratz, another two teams from the Nürburgring region will also be in action at the weekend.

Jacob Erlbacher starts for Gebhardt Motorsport in a Ginetta G61-LT-P3. He also knows the Nürburgring very well from a host of endurance races. He also raced on the GP circuit in ADAC GT4 Germany in 2020. “To go racing at the Nürburgring is always very special,” says Erlbacher, who shares the cockpit with Michael Herich. “I think the layout of the sprint circuit should really suit our car, as there are a lot of tight corners. We are definitely well prepared ahead of our trip to the Eifel, and are very motivated. However, we have not yet done any testing with the Ginetta at the Nürburgring. As such, we will definitely have some work to do on the set-up configurations in the free practice sessions. However, the team is strongly positioned. My goal is clearly to make it onto the podium. Realistically, I think we are looking at top-five finishes.”

Another team putting its faith in the Ginetta is Konrad Motorsport. Team principal Franz Konrad will be behind the wheel for the first time in the Prototype Cup Germany. The experienced driver, who can call on a wealth of experience at Le Mans, was unable to race at the season-opener at Spa-Francorchamps, due to an injury. He shares the cockpit at the Nürburgring with Axcil Jefferies, who started on his own in the British car in Belgium.

There are also some familiar names at Reiter Engineering. Here, the 2019 ADAC GT4 Germany champion, Mads Siljehaug, and Freddie Hunt, son of 1976 Formula 1 world champion James Hunt, share the cockpit of a Ligier. Toksport WRT, which is based just a few kilometres from the Nürburgring, also runs a Ligier. Sharing the driving duties will be ADAC GT Masters race winner Marvin Dienst and Berkay Besler. The duo carries a lot of momentum into the event at the Nürburgring. They lead the championship in the Prototype Cup Germany, thanks to two race wins at the season-opener at Spa-Francorchamps.

International flair in the Eifel comes courtesy of Eifel Racing Experience from Luxembourg, Mühlner Motorsport from Belgium (both Duqueine) and Inter Europol Competition from Poland (Ligier). Speed Factory Racing from Lithuania (Ligier) and Finnish team Koiranen Kemppi Motorsport (Duqueine) have the longest journeys to the Nürburgring. The field also welcomes another guest starter, in the form of Pegasus Racing from Alsace.

Broadcast times for the 2022 Prototype Cup Germany at the Nürburgring

Saturday, 16th July 15:45 – Race 1 Live – youtube.com/adac, adac.de/motorsport, youtube.com/24hseries Sunday, 17th July 14.55 – Race 2 Live – youtube.com/adac, adac.de/motorsport, youtube.com/24hseries