There was plenty going on again in the paddock at the fourth race weekend of the Prototype Cup Germany at the Hockenheimring. Here are a few fascinating stories from the paddock.
The fastest: The LMP3 cars in the Prototype Cup Germany put on a great show as part of the ADAC Racing Weekend at the Hockenheimring. The platform, which is geared toward mass sport, served up a feast of quality motorsport with various different series, including the ADAC Tourenwagen Junior Cup, GTC Race, the Cup und Tourenwagen Trophy, TW GT Revival, and the Spezial Tourenwagen Trophy. The Prototype Cup Germany was also the fastest series of the race weekend. Markus Pommer (33/Untereisesheim, Gebhardt Motorsport) set the fastest lap time of 1:34.999 minutes in a Duqueine D08 in Q3.
Fourth platform: The Prototype Cup Germany is appearing on a diverse range of stages in 2024. The outing at the ADAC Racing Weekend was the fourth platform, on which the LMP3 cars have gone racing. The season-opener at Spa-Francorchamps took place on the same bill as the 24H Series. The Prototype Cup Germany then formed part of the support programme for the high-profile DTM at the Lausitzring, and lined up at the Summer Trophy in Zandvoort. The two remaining events at the Nürburgring and the Sachsenring will again take place at DTM race weekends.
Lots of track time: The drivers in the Prototype Cup Germany had plenty to do at the Hockenheimring. With two free practices, three qualifying sessions and three races, this was XXL motorsport. In total, they racked up more than five hours of track time. This was well received in the paddock.
34 minutes of anticipation: The race weekend at the track near Heidelberg was a home outing for Gebhardt drivers Sven Barth (43/Eberbach), Michael Herich (47/Brühl), Jacob Erlbacher (23/Böblingen), Valentino Catalano (18/Westheim) and Markus Pommer. “The Hockenheimring is absolutely my home circuit. It takes me exactly 34 minutes to get from my front door to the paddock. It is obviously nice to be able to sleep at home,” said Pommer. “I know every bump and detail of the track. That is definitely a little advantage.”
Back again: For the first time this season, DataLab Sports with Rinaldi joined the field on the Prototype Cup Germany grid. “We have raced in the series in the previous two seasons, and feel right at home here,” said team principal Michele Rinaldi. “The Prototype Cup Germany welcomes teams with open arms. We are confident that the series will continue to go from strength to strength.” DataLab Sports with Rinaldi will make their next guest appearance this weekend at the Nürburgring.
Double shift: Rinaldi driver Luca Link (20/Günzberg) was not only making his debut in the Prototype Cup Germany at the Hockenheimring, but also lined up in the STT. “It was a mega weekend and I took a lot from it,” said a beaming Link. “Starting in two series meant there was a lot to do. I drive a Porsche Cayman GT4 in the STT. However, I obviously enjoyed the LMP3 more, because it has more downforce and is simply faster. It was not actually as difficult to adjust as expected.”
Overseas guest: The second driver at DataLab Sports with Rinaldi was Suellio Almeida (30). The Brazilian was putting pedal to the metal for the very first time in European motorsport. “Hockenheim was a big step for my career. I started out in sim racing and have now been racing on the track for about 2.5 years,” said Almeida, who is also a well-known YouTuber. “It was just incredible to drive an LMP3 for the first time. The car is awesome. The series here is a perfect environment for me, in which to continue learning. Furthermore, the Hockenheimring is a really exciting racetrack.”
Rapid juniors: Julien Apothéloz (23/CHE) and Riccardo Leone Cirelli (16/ITA, both BWT Mücke Motorsport) won the first two races at the Hockenheimring in a Duqueine. In doing so, they also picked up the trophies in the Junior competition. The top junior in race three was Ligier driver Danny Soufi (21/USA, Konrad Motorsport).
Gentlemen impress: The Trophy competition was a really diverse affair, with each of the three races won by a different gentleman. Torsten Kratz (53/Mönchengladbach, Konrad Motorsport) came out on top in the opening race. Race two went to fellow Ligier driver Antti Rammo (41/EST, MRS GT-Racing), while Klaus Abbelen (63/Frikadelli Racing Team) was the best-placed Trophy driver in another Ligier in race three. Abbelen had two reasons to celebrate. He also took overall victory alongside his team-mate Felipe Fernández Laser (35/Leipzig).
