Race ended before it started

All race drivers have experienced to retire before they reach the finish line and they know it’s part of the game but having done well during practice and qualifying only to retire before race start is hard. Michael Outzen had to face it during his participation in the 1,000 kilometre race in Barcelona this week:

- Everything worked perfect on Saturday. I drove a number of laps starting to get the feeling of the car. I was just marginally slower than my fellow drivers who had experience from Formula 1 and a lot of mileage in this type of car so I’m quite happy about that part

Being his first performance in a real powerful car Michael was tuned into learning mode.

- All nerves are on the outside of the driving suit when you get into such a car for the first time, sucking all inputs directly into the brain. It feels like being ahead of the learning curve constantly waiting for the next impulse to come. After a couple of laps you start using the experience and the lap times start to drop. These cars are so impressive in handling compared to Touring Cars that one almost feels intoxicated

Therefore was the disappointment immense when the car broke down during warm up. Since the car should be operational again on Tuesday it was decided to retire even before the start.

- I’ve got some experience and some good contacts. I know that I performed very well so I’ll be ready when luck comes my way with another offer. Right now I’m eager to get back and starting testing for DTC. I’ve learned a thing or two about sequential gearboxes this weekend and that knowledge is going to be used in my Chevrolet. 

-Jan Gripping -