There was plenty going on both on and off the track at the finale of the 2023 Prototype Cup Germany. Here are a few fascinating stories from the outing at the iconic circuit in the Eifel Mountains.
Trophy presentation: The champions in all classes were honoured at the finale of this season’s Prototype Cup Germany. To this end, all the teams were invited to a celebration after the Sunday race. Gary Hauser (31/LUX) and Markus Pommer (32/Untereisesheim, both Racing Experience) won the title in the Drivers’ Championship. Their team principal Christian Hauser received the trophy for winning the Team competition.
Junior champion: The Junior competition was won by Dutchman Max van der Snel (20) at the wheel of a Ligier JS P320 run by More Motorsport by Reiter. “That was my first year in this car, but I did okay in it all season,” said van der Snel. “The title is the biggest success of my career so far.”
Proud father: Victory in the Trophy competition went to Mark van der Snel (52/NLD), who shared the More Motorsport by Reiter Ligier with his son Max. “It is obviously fantastic that we both picked up a title,” said a delighted Mark van der Snel. “Before the start of the season, we never expected to be so successful.”
Guest start for local favourites: As they did last year, Frikadelli Racing made a guest appearance in the Prototype Cup Germany with a Ligier JS P320 driven by Klaus Abbelen (63/Barweiler) and Felipe Laser (34/Leipzig). And with great success: Abbelen won the Trophy competition in both races and celebrated from the podium. “I am thrilled,” said a beaming Abbelen, trophy in hand. The team, which is based just a few kilometres from the Nürburgring, could perhaps start more races in the Prototype Cup Germany in 2024. “It is really great here,” Abbelen continued. “I could well be that we turn up again next year – and maybe even a bit earlier in the season. That will become clear over the winter.”
First appearance: Bretton Racing from the Czech Republic made its Prototype Cup Germany debut with a Ligier at the Nürburgring. “The team is brand-new. We are still establishing ourselves. We may also change the team name soon,” said Dan Skočdopole (20/CZE), who not only drove the Ligier but is also responsible for many administrative tasks. “Our goal is to move up into the LMP2 class soon. However, we will keep the LMP3 car and perhaps use it for customer drivers.”
Back again: Mühlner Motorsport was back in the Prototype Cup Germany at the Nürburgring race weekend. The well-known team from Belgium also started at the events at the Hockenheimring and Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, but sat out Zandvoort, the Norisring and Assen. At the wheel of the Duqueine was Xavier Lloveras (23/ESP), who had previously lined up for Van Ommen Racing by DataLab in the Prototype Cup Germany.
Four individual starters: Skočdopole was one of four drivers with a cockpit all to themselves at the Nürburgring, the others being Lloveras, Nigel Moore (31/GBR, Aust Motorsport) and Jacob Erlbacher (23/Böblingen, Gebhardt Motorsport). “You obviously get a lot more track time, as you are also behind the wheel in both free practices, the two qualifying sessions, and both races. However, when it comes to concentration it is more demanding than sharing the cockpit,” said Erlbacher. “In terms of fitness, I expected it to be more tiring. It was so much fun that I could have started another race immediately after the chequered flag.”
Out in front for the first time: Nico Göhler (20/Grasleben), in a Duqueine D08 run by BWT Mücke Motorsport, secured the front spot on the grid for Sunday’s race at the Nürburgring. The junior driver was delighted with the result. “This is the first pole position of my career so far,” said Göhler, who had previously raced in ADAC Formula 4 and Formula 3, and made his debut in an LMP3 car in 2023. The good grid position paid dividends. Göhler and his team-mate Gustavo Kyrila (29/BRA) ended the race in third place. That was enough to earn the duo third place in the overall standings at the end of the season.
