Now the ADAC GT Masters is finally starting into the 2020 season. The “League Of Super Sports Cars” was a guest at the Lausitzring this weekend. 33 super sports cars from 8 different manufacturers entered the race on the 3,442 km long course. At the same time, Car Collection Motorsport sent an Audi R8 LMS GT3 into the fourth round of the Nürburgring endurance series.
At the first run of the ADAC GT Masters this season, the EFP Car Collection by TECE team posted their first success of the season. Elia Erhart started from position 28. After a great start, Erhart completed the first lap in 21st place. At the mandatory pit stop, which must be held between the 25th and 35th race minute, Elia Erhart handed the car to Audi Sport driver Pierre Kaffer lying in 17th position. Kaffer continued to catch up in the race, so the duo crossed the finish line in 13th place overall and 2nd place in the Trophy classification.
Pierre Kaffer: “Overall, we can be very happy with the weekend. At the first round this year we were able to position ourselves twice in the midfield on our own and score once in the points. So our performance curve clearly shows what the entire team deserves. Many thanks to everyone for the great work and also to my team-mate Elia, who showed two great races. Another thanks goes to Audi, who once again provided us with a perfect car. I’m very happy and I’m really looking forward to my home race at the Nürburgring.”
At the same time, the 4th round of the Nürburgring endurance series took place at the Nürburgring. Milan Dontje, Mike David Ortmann and Audi Sport driver Markus Winkelhock competed in the Audi R8 LMS GT3 #44. In qualifying on Saturday morning, the Eifel opened the rain clouds. It was the first time for Dontje and Ortmann with a GT3 car on the wet Nordschleife. Accordingly, they went to work with caution. From the 14th place they started the 4-hour race. Until the end of the race the trio fought their way up and they were in 8th place at the drop of the checkered flag.
Peter Schmidt: “After we were not able to enter the last two races, we could finally attack again. Mike had to deal with difficult weather conditions in his start stint. It is not easy to keep the car on the track with slicks on the still wet Nordschleife. But he mastered his stint brilliantly and was able to catch up with the top group more and more towards the end. Markus and Milan also caught up in their stints and we were able to finish the race on a satisfactory 8th place.”
Sunday at the “League Of Super Sports Cars” started with qualifying. Audi Sport driver Pierre Kaffer should drive out the position on the grid. Once again, the high level of the field was evident. With only 0.504 seconds behind the pole position it was “only” the 16th place. Kaffer also got off to a good start and fought his way forward to 13th place until the pit stop window was opened. Until the last lap, Elia Erhart was consistently in the top 15 and was on course for points again. Then, unfortunately, he was pushed roughly off the track and crossed the finish line at position 17. But also in Sunday’s race he secured 2nd place in the trophy classification, which he now leads with a 19 point lead.
Elia Erhart: “15th place would have earned us another championship point. It’s a shame that we ended up being deprived of our wages by such an unnecessary scene. Nevertheless, as I said, we can be very satisfied with our performance. In the Trophy classification we achieved second place twice at the Lausitzring, which now gives us the overall lead there. Many thanks to our entire team EFP Car Collection by TECE for the excellent work, especially with the first-class pit stops.“
