The DKR Engineering driver was on unbeatable form in the first free practice session of the Prototype Cup Germany at TT Circuit Assen. All three manufacturers had cars in the top four.
The Prototype Cup Germany race weekend at TT Circuit Assen is up and running: the series organised by the ADAC and Creventic is making its very first appearance at the 4.555-kilometre racetrack in the Netherlands, and immediately put on a great show in FP1. The fastest time of 1:32.617 minutes came courtesy of Robin Rogalski (23/POL), who shares his Duqueine d08 with fellow DKR Engineering driver Valentino Catalano (17/Westheim).
“Firstly, it is obviously only the first free practice. However, it is always nice to kick off the race weekend with the fastest time. As such, I am very happy. I hope we can carry this momentum through to the end of the event,” said a beaming Rogalski as he emerged from his LMP3 sports car. “The car felt very good. The track in Assen is basically very quick, which makes driving an LMP3 car here thoroughly enjoyable.”
“Our goal for this weekend is obviously to win races,” added team-mate Catalano. “Personally, I would like to secure my fourth pole position of the season. This is my first time in Assen. I really like the circuit, which suits my driving style. With that in mind, we are optimistic.”
Second place, 0.304 seconds slower than Rogalski, went to fellow Duqueine drivers Gustavo Kyrila (29/BRA) and Nico Göhler (20/Grasleben, both BWT Mücke Motorsport). Sebastian von Gartzen (30/Butzbach) and Maximilian Hackländer (33/Rüthen, both Konrad Motorsport) were third. The Ginetta G61-LT-P3 duo was 0.344 seconds off the leading time.
Fourth place went to the Ligier JS P320 of Dino Steiner (54/Wehingen) and Nigel Moore (GBR, both Aust Motorsport), with a deficit of 0.352 seconds. As such, all three of the manufacturers involved in the Prototype Cup Germany were represented in the top four. Rounding out the top five were Jacob Erlbacher (23/Böblingen) and Courtney Crone (22/USA, both Gebhardt Motorsport), who are making their first appearance in a Duqueine in Assen.
