Two wins in Belgium for Toksport WRT duo. Experienced Jamie Winslow and newcomer Damian Ciosek complete Ligier one-two.
Marvin Dienst and Berkay Besler bagged a brace of victories as they enjoyed a perfect weekend at the opening round of the new Prototype Cup Germany, which is organised by ADAC and Dutch promoter Creventic. After Saturday’s triumph in Spa (Belgium), the German-Turkish duo also won the Sunday race in their Ligier. Jamie Winslow/Damian Ciosek from the Inter Europol Competition team took second place – also at the wheel of a Ligier. Third place went to Wochenspiegel Team Monschau, who lined up in the Ardennes with Leonard Weiss and Torsten Kratz at the wheel of a Duqueine. “Two wins on the opening weekend of the Prototype Cup Germany is a perfect way to start the season. I hope it continues this way,” said Turkey’s Besler for the record.
Pole-sitter Marvin Dienst successfully defended first place at the start, while Torsten Kratz slotted into second. Eike Angermayr (Reiter Engineering) was initially running fifth in his Ligier, but then skidded into the gravel on lap two, causing a break in the racing. After the re-start, Dienst retained his position at the front of the field until he came in for the mandatory pit stop. However, Besler and the Toksport WRT Ligier returned to the track in second place, behind the Mühlner Motorsport Duqueine of Matthias Lüthen and Donar Munding.
Besler managed to wrest the lead back from Lüthen and then set about pulling clear of his rivals. Behind the leading Turk, Jamie Winslow and Leonard Weiss also overtook Lüthen. Third-placed Weiss came under pressure from Santiago Concepcion Serrano, but was able to successfully defend his position. However, Concepcion, his partner Giorgio Rosa and the Speed Factory Racing team could be satisfied with fourth place: A gearbox issue had caused them to miss both qualifying sessions on Friday, and meant they were forced to start the races from the back of the grid.
The battle for fifth place also intensified in the closing stages of the race. Konrad protégé Axcil Jefferies, the only single starter in the field, attempted to force a mistake out of Sebastian von Gartzen ahead of him, but he remained focussed and error-free at the wheel of the Racing Experience Duqueine. As such, the team from Luxembourg crossed the finish line in fifth place, ahead of the Ginetta of Konrad Motorsport. Lüthen eventually finished seventh for Mühlner Motorsport.
Races three and four of this season’s Prototype Cup Germany will take place at the Nürburgring in mid-July as part of the ADAC Truck Grand Prix.
Marvin Dienst: “It was a short race for me this time, due to the stoppage. I held onto first place at the start and handed the car over to Berkay in the lead. He then did a good job, which allowed us to celebrate a double victory.”
Berkay Besler: “I came back out in second place after the driver changeover, but was able to overtake the car in front of my quickly, as I had a really good car.”
Damian Ciosek: “Second place is a great result for me on my first appearance in an LMP3 car. It is actually more than I expected. However, I have a good teacher in Jamie, who has a lot of experience with these cars. And the team also did a very good job. They have really helped me to improve consistently.”
Jamie Winslow: “I am very pleased with second place. The Inter Europol Competition team, my team-mate Damian Ciosek and I have not been working together for long. This was our first race together. Furthermore, it was Damian’s first LMP3 outing, having only started out in motorsport this year. I have nothing but praise for his performance.”
Torsten Kratz: “My start was good and I was immediately able to gain a position from third place on the grid. Unfortunately, the safety car appeared after just two laps and the race was stopped very soon thereafter. After the re-start, I managed to get in one lap more before handing the car over to Leonard.”
Leonard Weiss: “I am happy with third place. I had to keep an eye on my rear-view mirror towards the end, as Santiago Concepcion Serrano was lurking behind me. However, despite coming under pressure, I was able to keep him at bay.”
