Several class wins, a Janine Shoffner marathon, the debut by Sabré Cook and many more stories marked the NLS 8 at the Green Hell. Here's what happened.
The race day at the Nürburgring for the 8th round of NLS started with fog - too much fog - and the delay of the qualifying session early in the morning. Let's sum up the stories of the women that took the start of this round around the Green Hell.
We have the usual Nürburgring-specialists like Janine Shoffner, who was set to enter the race for the first time alone in the car for the 4-hour long race distance; Chantal Prinz, Sophia Gachot, Michelle Halder, the returnees Simona de Silvestro and Jasmin Preisig as well as newcomer Sabré Cook.
After the delay of the timed session, the race started 12:30 local time with the #30 of Abbelen/Andlauer (Porsche 911 GT3 R) on pole with a time of 7:53.542 minutes, ahead of the #5 of Kolb/Stippler (Audi R8 LMS GT3) and the #44 car of Harper/Hesse/Verhagen (BMW M6 GT3). The #30 car defended the lead at the start, while Krognes/Pittard/Tuck (#34 BMW M6 GT3) came back from third into second position, ahead of the #5.
The #30 pulled away quickly from the rest of the field, building a lead of 2,5 seconds ahead of the #34 and the #5. But there was drama for the #34: after the first 30 minutes, it drove back slowly to the pits with a rear right puncture. And more drama for the leading #30, who received a drive through penalty because of a jump start.
As the #30 came to the pits to serve their penalty, the #5 took over the lead - but not for long, as #30 came back into the leading position after a little more than an hour into the race. The #39 squad of Kohlhaas/Szymkowiak / Foster (Ferrari 488 GT3) showed great determination as they stopped in the pit entry and the driver pushed his car all the way to the pit stall to refuel and rejoin the race.
With one hour left, the debuting Aston Martin Vantage GT3 #21 of Thiim/Martin took over the lead and pulled away, while the #5 Audi defended their second position against the #44 BMW M6. And it was the Aston Martin to cross the line in first on their debut in the series, with Thiim and Martin behind the wheel ahead of the #5 Audi of Kolb/Stippler and the #44 BMW of Harper/Hesse/Verhagen.
But let´s have a closer look to the classes that had female participation the last weekend.
AT(-G) - Simona de Silvestro
Victory in class for Simona de Silvestro in her second Nürburgring appearance together with Marco Timbal and Jaxon Evans in their Porsche Cayman GT4 from Four Motors GmbH. The second car in class wasn´t able to finish the race, giving the top step of the podium to the Porsche factory driver. But, more importantly for the fast Swiss lady, she completed the 18 laps for her Nordschleifen-permit.
Cup5 - Sabré Cook
W Series driver Sabré Cook was new to the championship and entered her first NLS event with Yeeti Racing, sharing the car with Thomas Krebs and Domenico Solombrino. And with a P7 in class, they brought the car home. A happy Sabré Cook said: "Thanks to Yeeti Racing for the chance to drive such a mega track- can’t wait to do it again!!"
SP3T - Michelle Halder, Jasmin Preisig
Michelle Halder and her brother Mike were able to finish on a high again with a third place in class. Michelle was indeed happy about the day: "Despite being late due to heavy fog, it went well for us today", she wrote. "We could finish the qualifying on P4."
"This race I was allowed to drive the start again and then handed over the car to Mike. After Mike completed his laps, I was back into the car. I was able to cross the finish line in P3. Many thanks to our team, who did a great job again."
Directly behind the Halder duo, Jasmin Preisig and Lars Nielsen crossed the chequered flag in fourth place with their Volkswagen Golf 7 GTI TCR from Max Kruse Racing. "Definitely not our weekend" commented Preisig. "With a puncture and minor technical problems, it was not what it should be today. But that's also part of it - that's racing!"
SP5+SP6+SP7 - Chantal Prinz
As the only SP6 car in that class, Chantal, Alexander Prinz and Martin & Michael Kroll finished 8th with their BMW M3 CSL from Hofor Racing in the combined classes SP5, SP6 and SP7.
SP9 Am - Janine Shoffner
Nordschleife veteran Janine Shoffner wanted to race the longest distance alone and, considering their position in the standings over the year, she felt safe to attempt the frankly impressive challenge. She went for it and did complete the 4 hours of NLS8 on her own.
Despite many battles, she finished her race in second place in class, adding another podium to her resumé. "P2 - so close to P1! Just 7 seconds." - she commented. "It was a tough but fun day, 4 hrs in the car is hell on earth but so worth it!"
"Great way to end the season - huge thanks to Flo and the Getspeed team, all amazing as always and of course to Moritz and Dave!"
V5 - Sophia Gachot
Sophia Gachot once again shared a Porsche Cayman with Holger Gachot and Pilip Ade. They would finish 5th in their class.
The next and last round of the 2021 NLS season will take place on 9th October - obviously, at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
