There was plenty going on again at the third race weekend of the Prototype Cup Germany in Zandvoort. Here are a few fascinating stories from the paddock.
Summer Trophy: The race weekend in Zandvoort was named the “Summer Trophy” and offered a very wide range of motorsport, with ten different series featuring on the programme. As well as the LMP3 cars in the Prototype Cup Germany, a variety of Formula racing series from Southern Europe and Great Britain also took the track, as well as vintage cars from the likes of the Touring Car Legends from Germany. The international crowd at the circuit was thrilled.
Drivers like the track: The 4.259-kilometre Circuit Zandvoort is one of the favourite tracks of many racing drivers and has only grown in popularity since the modifications made a few years ago. “Zandvoort is just class, and incredible fun in an LMP3 car,” said Mühlner Motorsport driver Keanu Al Azhari (16/UAE), who started both races from pole position and took victory on the Sunday. “Zandvoort is one of the very best tracks out there for an LMP3.”
Switch to Ginetta: Sven Barth (43/Eberbach) started the season in a Duqueine D08, but lined up in the Ginetta G61-LT-P3 of Momo Gebhardt Racing for the first time in Zandvoort. “My size meant I was struggling in the Duqueine. Then Fritz Gebhardt had the idea of the Ginetta, in which I immediately felt much more comfortable,” Barth explained. “For example, the Duqueine has a higher top speed, but the Ginetta is very competitive in fast corners. The Ginetta is top when it comes to aerodynamics.”
A long trip: Tomas Granzella (20/URY, Racing Experience) did not want to miss the race weekend in Zandvoort and travelled specially from Uruguay to start in the Prototype Cup Germany. “I flew from Montevideo to Amsterdam via Madrid, so I spent a whole day travelling,” said Granzella, who was making his debut in the series. “It was a great honour for me to appear here. The team gave me a super car, which allowed me to quickly get used to LMP3 racing. Maybe I will start in this series again sometime, as I really like it.”
Engine delivery from Germany: MRS GT-Racing missed the free practice sessions in Zandvoort, due to a problem with the engine. “Fortunately, we were able to locate another unit, which arrived at the circuit at lunchtime on Friday. We would like to thank Rinaldi Racing for that, ” said Antti Rammo (41/EST). “The team then worked through to midnight to enable us to take part in qualifying on Saturday morning. My mechanics did a super job.” It was worth the effort. Despite starting from last place on the grid, Rammo won the Saturday race.
Birthday in a race car: Saturday was a very special day for Michael Herich (Brühl, Momo Gebhardt Racing), who was celebrating his 47th birthday. “What could be better than spending your birthday at a dream circuit like Zandvoort?” said a beaming Herich. “My children were with me, and my daughter promptly told everyone in the team in the morning. As such, I was obviously congratulated by plenty of people.”
Comeback: Jacob Erlbacher (23/Böblingen) made his first Prototype Cup Germany appearance of the season in Zandvoort, where he was at the wheel of a Gebhardt Motorsport Duqueine D08. “I really love racing in this series. I particularly like the calendar and racetracks,” said Erlbacher, who also lined up in the Prototype Cup Germany in 2022 and 2023. “I soon adapted to driving an LMP3 car again. It is like riding a bike – you never forget how to do it.”
Impressive gentlemen: The drivers in the Trophy competition really shone in Zandvoort. On Saturday, Antti Rammo (41/EST, MRS GT-Racing) not only won the class in his Ligier, but also took overall victory. Fellow Ligier driver Klaus Abbelen (63/Barweiler, Frikadelli Racing Team) claimed the class win on Sunday, and also picked up a trophy for second place in the overall classification.
Rapid Juniors: The Juniors were also in top form. Keanu Al Azhari (16/UAE, Mühlner Motorsport) won the Sunday race in a Duqueine, which also earned him victory in the Junior competition. One day earlier, Danny Soufi (20/USA, Konrad Motorsport) had been the top Junior in his Ligier. The American also made it onto the second step of the overall podium.
