The Racing Experience driver topped the timing sheet in the first free practice session for the Prototype Cup Germany at the Nürburgring. Gebhardt Motorsport’s Jacob Erlbacher also impressed with real pace.
The finale of the 2023 Prototype Cup Germany is up and running. The first free practice session for the series organised by the ADAC and Creventic took place on Friday morning at the Nürburgring – and saw Markus Pommer (32/Untereisesheim, Racing Experience) clock the fastest time of 1:53.268 in his Duqueine.
Pommer set his time in the dying seconds of the 45-minute session. “We kept getting light rain during the practice session, and the track only dried out at the very end. That was when I was able to set the fastest time,” said Pommer, who starts alongside Gary Hauser (31/LUX). “The car felt great in any case.”
Pommer/Hauser were crowned 2023 champions last time out in Assen. “We definitely want to wrap up the Team title for Racing Experience here,” Pommer added. “As new Drivers champions, we want to perform well again here and win races.”
Second place in FP1 went to Jacob Erlbacher (23/Böblingen, Gebhardt Motorsport), who starts alone this weekend. Erbacher led the 15-strong field for long periods of the practice session, but ultimately missed out on the fastest time by just 0.013 seconds.
“I am obviously very pleased to start the weekend this way,” said a beaming Erlbacher. “Our focus was on trying out a few things with the Duqueine. I obviously know the track very well. My goal for the weekend is to qualify as high up the grid as possible and to finish on the podium in both races. That would be excellent.”
Third place went to the Ligier JS P320 of Klaus Abbelen (63/Barweiler) and Felipe Laser (34/Leipzig, both Frikadelli Racing), who are making a guest appearance in the Prototype Cup Germany at the Nürburgring. Laser’s fastest lap was 0.448 seconds off the top time. Fourth fastest, 0.703 seconds behind Pommer, were Gustavo Kyrila (29/BRA) and Nico Göhler (20/Grasleben, both BWT Mücke Motorsport) in another Duqueine. Rounding out the top five was Nigel Moore (31/GBR, Aust Motorsport), who starts alone in a Ligier.
