Chevrolet Motorsport Danmark - Well done

Since the very fine effort on Saturday everybody in the team felt the tension. "It’s like an examen" team owner Michael Klostermann tells. "The top management from Chevrolet Denmark, all the Chevrolet dealers and our sponsor are here, so everything has to be perfect. According to the programme the team was introduced and all guests were briefed about the current status of the cars and the expectations for the races ahead.

Cars were ready well before time thus giving the drivers the opportunity to drive a few laps to be familiar with the new setup and make the small adjustments that makes drivers feel happy. The Chevrolets are very hard in tire wear making all members of the team to ask for cold vinds or even a shower to cool down the track.

The new concept with rolling start have benne discussed in length making people fear for a big pileup in turn 1 when almost 9,000 BHP were released. The start went perfect, though, and Henrik maintained his third position. Pontus Mörth had to fight for his position surrounded by competitors. The close battle led to a broken suspension and he had to withdraw for repair. The hard working mechanics gave the thumbs up half an hour before the start to heat 2. On the track Henrik had to fight very hard to keep his position. A couple of laps behind the safety car allowed the tires to cool down a bit but not enough to withstand the pressure from Jan Magnussen who managed to get by on the very last lap.

Also the start for heat 2 went surprisingly well giving Pontus the chance for a well conducted race. Unfortunately he tried too hard. "It’s all my fault. I know my car is fast enough, but I was just a bit too eager and lost control for a second". Even fast working mechanics can’t make up for the time spend changing a flat tyre. Starting from third row of the grid Henrik went right into a fierce battle to maintain his position. It was a fight impossible to win and without even one or two laps behind the safety car it was just a matter of time before the front tyres would have to give up. He ended in a very respectable 8th.

Last heat was intended to be a safe home run but experience has learned all in the team to take nothing as granted until the checkered flag. Henrik finished 7th after an uneventfull race while Pontus found motivation in the fact that he couldn’t win the race but he were in a position to do most lappings. And so he did. From starting position 21 he ended 11th after a smooth and clean race.

The evaluation of the team after the first race weekend is very positive. Very good and well performing cars leaving no doubt that when the right setup is found we will be fighting for podium. The team is working like a dream team and team manager Kent Bo Steffensen has managed to double the team without any internal problems.

"I’m very happy with this team. The team spirit is better than anything I’ve seen elsewhere. I feel lucky to be on a winning team" tells Henrik looking at the clouds rolling in from the West – just four hours late to be of any help.

- Jan Gripping-
photos: Spider-Web.dk