STUTTGART, Germany — Heavy rain fell over the Eifel shortly before the start of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland race.
This threw challenges at the mechanics on the grid of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland as they quickly swapped slicks for rain tires, adjusted the anti-roll bars to a very soft setting and increased the ride height of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup to improve mechanical traction.
Also, the angle of the rear wing was set steeper to generate more downforce on the rear axle – with only a few minutes available to do this, more was not possible.
“Nevertheless, it was the right call not to have a rolling start behind the safety car but to have a standing start,” said winner Larry ten Voorde, praising the race director’s decision.
Competing for the GP Elite squad, the Dutchman clinched his 30th pole position in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – and he held tight to his advantage at the start and again when the race was restarted twice after safety car phases.
Repeating his dominant performance from Saturday’s race, he netted his fifth win of the season.
“The water on the track made the race feel like dancing on the edge of a razor blade,” said the two-time Carrera Cup champion, describing the track conditions. “But I think we put on a great show for the spectators.”
In the overall standings, ten Voorde now holds a significant lead over Harry King. The Englishman from the German team Allied-Racing crossed the finish line in fifth place at the Nürburgring. However, after causing a collision during the race, he was handed a 10-second penalty. As a result, King fell back to ninth place in the official standings.
Second place went to Porsche Junior Bastian Buus, who lined up on the grid next to ten Voorde on the front row. However, the 20-year-old Dane from the Allied Racing team had to work hard for it. Immediately after the start, he lost several positions and then locked horns for several laps with the strong rookie Alexander Tauscher, who held second for some time.
“This was only the second standing start in the rain in my career. I didn’t get off the line well because I got too much wheelspin,” admitted Buus. “I’m pleased that I still achieved second place – I really need those championship points.”
For Alexander Tauscher, Bastian Buus was not the only tough rival in the race. During the second half of the 15-lap sprint, the 21-year-old rookie went head-to-head with seasoned specialist Leon Köhler, his teammate at Huber Racing. Shortly before the finish, Köhler swept into third place.
“My start didn’t go well, so Alexander overtook me in the sprint to the first corner. Because he’s my teammate, I obviously didn’t want to take any major risks in the duel with him. At some point it worked out – I’m thrilled with my second podium finish this weekend,” stated the German.
Dutchman Morris Schuring took the flag in fifth place behind Alexander Tauscher. Vincent Andronaco finished sixth, thus winning the rookie classification.
“The race was extremely challenging due to the wet track and the limited visibility – but it was a lot of fun,” said the 18-year-old from Hamburg about his first rookie victory. In a repeat of Saturday’s performance, Sören Spreng crossed the finish line first in the ProAm category in his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. “I survived the chaos of the first laps and then managed to make it through the remaining laps unscathed despite the tough conditions,” reported the German, who also ranks first in the ProAm category.
“What a race! The mechanics had their work cut out for them right before the start and so did the drivers. I’m proud that despite the extremely difficult conditions, they gave the spectators an action-packed and fair show. I’m particularly pleased that Vincent Andronaco, another driver from the Talent Pool, has won the Rookie classification,” said Hurui Issak, Project Manager of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland.
“Congratulations also to Larry ten Voorde on his fifth win of the season and to Sören Spreng, who has emerged as a title aspirant in the ProAm classification.”
Keyword: Ten Voorde Wins Rain Race In The Eifel