There was a lot going on at the Nürburgring in the ADAC GT4 Germany – exciting stories and a review of the race weekend in the paddock radar
The ADAC GT Masters, which features the ADAC GT4 Germany, is more popular than ever with fans. So far, every race weekend in 2022 has set a new attendance record – including at the Nürburgring with 23,500 weekend spectators. During activities such as “Meet the Drivers” on the event stage in the paddock, the autographs of the ADAC GT4 Germany drivers were also in great demand.
After an accident at the previous GT4 European Series race weekend in Spa-Francorchamps, the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 of Vincent Andronaco and Leo Pichler (Allied-Racing) had to be completely rebuilt. “After the first inspection it was clear that we needed a new body,” explained team boss Jan Kasperlik.
“On Monday, the car was dismantled and the parts requirement was reported to Porsche. Of 128 items, we had all but three ready for collection on Tuesday morning. We were therefore able to start work immediately in the afternoon. On Wednesday evening my guys had the car ready. On Thursday we did some set-up work. Afterwards, the car was loaded at 5 pm and brought to the Nürburgring. Thanks at this point not only to my mechanics, but also to Porsche, whose supply chain worked perfectly.” Andronaco’s fastest time in the first free practice session proved how well the team had worked.
With Gabriele Piana, Vincent Andronaco and Theo Oeverhaus, three ADAC GT4 Germany drivers also took part in the 24h race at Spa held a week earlier, but contested by cars in the larger GT3 class. “I mainly drove at night in Spa. The driving style in GT3 is also completely different to GT4,” said Oeverhaus, who made his debut at the Ardennes classic. “After the race I went straight home to catch up on some sleep. From Monday to Wednesday I had to work. On Thursday we went to the Nürburgring.”
The field in the ADAC GT4 Germany has always been mixed with cars from different manufacturers – even at the front. Since 2019, sports cars from Aston Martin, BMW, KTM, McLaren, Mercedes-AMG and Porsche have taken victories in the series. Now, at the Nürburgring, there was the first triumph of the Toyota GR Supra GT4 of Marcel Lenerz and Cedric Piro (Piro Sports). This means that there are now seven brands on the winners’ list.
Toyota driver Marcel Lenerz will not forget Saturday in a hurry. In the morning he took his first pole position in the ADAC GT4 Germany and a little later his first race win together with team-mate Cedric Piro – and that exactly on his 25th birthday. “It was an incredible day. I simply gave myself a present with the triumph,” beamed the Hessian. In the evening, Lenerz had toasted with the team and friends to such a special day.
The new version of the BMW M4 GT4 was also presented at the event area in the paddock. After homologation, the racing car can also be used in the ADAC GT4 Germany from 2023. Many teams took the opportunity to take a close look at the new car.
Donar Munding made his debut in the ADAC GT4 Germany, driving an Aston Martin from Prosport Racing. The Stuttgart native is otherwise racing a Duqueine D08 in the Prototype Cup Germany and is second in the standings there. “I really like the ADAC GT4 Germany,” explains Munding. “I also feel comfortable in the GT4 car. However, there are significant differences compared to the LMP3. The aerodynamics are almost completely missing in the GT4. Instead, we have driving aids like ABS and traction control in the GT4. The weight is also extremely different.”
With Black Falcon from Meuspath, CV Performance Group from Niederzissen, Prosport Racing from Wiesemscheid and Racing One from Plaidt, four racing teams are based near the Nürburgring. The workshop of the Schnitzelalm Racing team from Allgäu is also located in Niederzissen. Thomas Angerer’s team won Sunday’s race and thus celebrated a home victory.
Super Motorsport also always delivers the Trophy classification of the ADAC GT4 Germany. The race on Saturday was won by Axel Sartingen and Daniel Schwerfeld (Black Falcon) in the Porsche. On Sunday, their brand colleagues Tano Neumann and Joachim Bölting (Overdrive Racing) were successful. On the podium for the sixth time in eight races was Jewgen Sokolowski (Prosport Racing). “I really enjoy racing here. The ADAC GT4 Germany is a super racing series. The competition is strong,” explains the Aston Martin driver. “My goal for the season is to finish in the top three in the Trophy standings. “
