RACING EXPERIENCE WITH PODIUM-FINISH AT THE LAUSITZRING FOR THE THIRD ROUND OF THE ADAC PROTOTYPE CUP GERMANY
Tuesday, 23th August 2022, Lausitzring, Germany
The weather forecast for the race weekend at the Lausitzring was thrilling, as thunderstorms and rainy conditions were standing on the schedule for the third round of the ADAC Prototype Cup Germany, which was held within the ADAC GT Masters last weekend.
Having had some training sessions with dry conditions on Thursday and Friday in the Free Practices, both drivers Gary Hauser and Sebastian von Gartzen were up to pace to aim for more points in the championship and secure the third position in the overall standings.
For the first qualifying session early on Saturday Morning, Sebastian von Gartzen was set to qualify the car – an exciting challenge as the rain was responsible for declaring the session as wet.
Never having driven the LMP3 car in these conditions before, Sebastian could quickly adapt and impressed with P2 for the start of Race 1 on Saturday afternoon.
As the regulations determine the qualifying driver as race starter, Sebastian tried to secure P2 after the green flag when the still wet conditions made him brake too late for the first corner, falling back to P4. Having a good pace with very competitive lap times for the rest of his stint, he handed over the car to Gary Hauser during the mandatory pitstop, who could with his pace close up and overtake the rival in front, bringing home the first podium finish for Racing Experience in P3 in this championship.
On Sunday Morning Gary was in the car for Q2. Making his last-moment decision to start on slicks in mixed conditions, the tyre choice let him finish on P3 for Race 2.
Falling back to P4 after the start, a safety car erased the gaps throughout the field and Gary was able to took P3 back during the restart.
When Sebastian was in the car for the second stint, Racing Experience was running on P3, with only P1 and P2 in front, as these teams could profit from the safety car and the lower mandatory pitstop time because of their Silver-Bronze driver line-up.
Sebastian battled until the last lap, when he unfortunately couldn’t hold the competitor behind and finished on P4.
Hence, in the overall classification Racing Experience is currently standing on P3 and will aim for the vice-championship title in the last round of the ADAC Prototype Cup at the Hockenheimring on October 21-23th.
Christian Hauser, Team Owner Racing Experience, said, “This weekend was full of challenges, as we had very tricky conditions due to the weather. I am more than happy, that we finally scored the podium position, both drivers and the team definitely deserved this one. We will fight for more in Hockenheim!”
Gary Hauser, Racing Experience driver, said, “What a great result this weekend! We were able to show our pace in dry as well as in wet conditions. The car felt great on this bumpy track, we did a lot of improvements on our setup and it’s amazing to be back on the podium! Thanks to the team! The aim is to end the season in P2 in the overall championship!”
Sebastian Von Gartzen, Racing Experience driver, said, “For me it was challenging to go into Q1 without having driven the car before in the wet. For that I am even more happy that I could qualify the car on P2, the team did an amazing job and Gary and me did were very competitive in both races. Nevertheless I am a little bit upset that I couldn’t hold the competitor behind in Race 2, it would have been the second podium of the weekend! But we are P3 in the overall classification, I am looking forward to the last round in Hockenheim!”