Young guns eagerly await premiere
After
a turbulent start to the
season with three young drivers climbing the podium, the Porsche
Carrera Cup entourage travels to Valencia for the first race of the
season abroad. On the calendar of Germany’s fastest brand trophy series
for the first time is the 4.005 kilometre Circuit Ricardo Tormo, where
round two takes place on 23 May. Winner of the season-opener, Nicholas
Tandy, is very much looking forward to the premiere. “I was never in
Valencia and I’m very curious about the track,” says the 25-year-old
Briton from Konrad Motorsport. “The fact that many other drivers don’t
know it could be advantageous for me as a newcomer.”Sitting second overall in the standings, Niclas Kentenich (Farnbacher Racing – PZN) from Germany is regarded at 21 as one of the young guns of the series, which features the new, 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup this season. Martin Ragginger, who clinched third at round one, is just one year older. Driving for Schnabl Engineering, the Austrian heads to the second race full of confidence – especially since he has already contested a race in Valencia. “The track is flowing and very challenging,” he says. “It has several very fast corners and some that need a lot of pluck, for instance after the finish straight.” The former Porsche junior expects the race to be fiercely competitive: “It’s going to be tough. The competition is close and the track offers many chances to overtake.”
Double Carrera Cup champion Uwe Alzen (Germany, Team Herberth Motorsport PZ Olympiapark) is also keen to grab his chance. After pocketing fourth place at the season-opening race, the Porsche makes cup pro now pins his hopes on a podium spot. Finishing ninth in Hockenheim, Harald Schlegelmilch (Konrad Motorsport) was the best-placed of the three hopeful youngsters that receive support as “Porsche Motorsport Talents”.
At their first square off, the 22-year-old Latvian beat 18-year-old Ferdinand Stuck (Farnbacher Racing – PZN), son of the German racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck, and 23-year-old Tim Sandtler (MRS Team PZ Aschaffenburg) also from Germany. Ferdinand Stuck knows Valencia from a one-day test there. His verdict: “Quite fast, totally cool. I did well there.”
TV station Motorvision broadcasts the race in Valencia live on 23 May from 10.15 hrs (repeat at 20.30 hrs). Highlights will be televised on Sport1 on 26 May at 22.15 hours. Further magazine reports are shown on n-tv (25 May at 16.05 and 0.40 hrs) as well as DMAX (30 May at 11.30 hrs).
Drivers’ classification after 1 of 9 races
1. Nicholas Tandy (GB), 20 points
2. Niclas Kentenich (D), 18
3. Martin Ragginger (A), 16
4. Uwe Alzen (D), 14
5. Robert Renauer (D), 12
Team classification after 1 of 9 races
1. Konrad Motorsport, 27 points
2. Herberth Motorsport PZ Olympiapark, 26
3. Schnabl Engineering, 20
