BES Nürburgring facts, stats and driver quotes 17.09.2013: All you need to know about this weekend Blancpain Endurance Series: Round 5 of 5 – Nürburgring (DEU)

All you need to know about this weekend



Blancpain Endurance Series: Round 5 of 5 – Nürburgring (DEU)

September 20th – September 22nd, 2013

4.556 km / 12-turn race circuit

Race Duration: 1000kms/6-hours maximum

Points awarded for each class as follows:

1st: 33 points; 2nd 24 points; 3rd: 19 points; 4th: 15 points; 5th: 12 points ; 6th: 9 points ; 7th: 6 points; 8th: 4 points; 9th: 2 points; 10th: 1 point



Event Schedule (All times CET):


Friday 20th September

Bronze Test Session: 15.50-16.50





Saturday 21st September

Free Practice: 09.00-10.30
Pre-Qualifying: 12.50-14.20
Qualifying Practice: 16.50-17.50
Post-Qualifying Press Conference immediately after Qualifying
Sunday, 22nd September 2013
Blancpain 1000 – 11.45-17.45
Post-race Press Conference immediately after podium ceremony

FULL ENTRY LIST  HERE  


QUOTES


Bas Leinders, #3 Marc VDS Racing Team, BMW Z4 (ProCup)

“In a 1000kms race there is double the time, double the trouble! Anything can happen. Last year, we were the favourites with WRT and all the pressure was on us because we were leading when we arrived at Navarra, whereas this year we don’t feel this pressure.


We have already done the maths, so everything is prepared for all the permutations. But of course the best thing to do is actually to win the race then we won’t need any calculators!”




Christopher Mies, #13 Belgian Audi Club Team WRT, Audi R8 LMS ultra (Pro Cup)


“We finished 4th at last year’s Nürburgring race which was good for us but we will be out to win this weekend for sure. It is tight and tough racing in the Blancpain Endurance Series but the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT guys are so good in the pit stops, so we are confident as always.


We have everything we need to do the job and I think it will be a great battle right to the chequered flag.”



Cesar Ramos, #44 Kessel Racing, Ferrari 458 Italia (Pro Cup)

“We will not change anything in terms of our approach for this race because we have a very small gap to the other cars (two points to Buhk, Stippler and Mies). We will do the same as we did in the other races. I think the best solution will be to take the last race as a normal event and not the final round of the series.


We will fight very hard during the 6 hours and at the end if we do everything properly and have some luck we will go back home happy.”



Marc Hennerici, #75 Prospeed Competition, Porsche 997 GT3R

“It is looking like another terrific event for a great end to the season. There is no doubt that it has been tough in stages for us this season but we believe we can really deliver on all the promise next weekend. The Porsche showed how strong it was in 2012 and in the 50th year of the 911 design it will be very satisfying to get a top result once again.”



Andy Soucek, #11 ART Grand Prix, McLaren MP4-12C (Pro Cup)

“I am very excited to get back in the car. We could not really drive a lot in Spa because we had technical issues and we could only race for one hour so it was a bit frustrating. So, we really think hard about this race as it is the last opportunity of the year to try and accomplish a good result and score points, like we did at Monza in the first round.”



Lucas Ordonez, #35 Nissan GT Academy Nissan GT-R NISMO (Pro-Am)

“It’s a long race so anything can happen but I will be racing with the championship in my mind. It will be a tough track for us so we really need to nail the set up. This is a very important event for me, for Nissan and for GT Academy.”




Peter Pyzera, #35 Nissan GT Academy Nissan GT-R NISMO (Pro-Am)

“I really like the atmosphere at the Nürburgring and that fact that this is my home race makes a big difference to me. It is only two hours from my home so I hope to get a lot of local support. I’m very proud to be part of this team and I hope we can hit our targets at the Nürburgring.


 It would be great to stay in front of Ferrari and maybe get a podium. To win the championship would be fantastic so like always I will give 100% and see what happens.”



Kazuki Hoshino, #23 JRM Nissan Nissan GT-R NISMO (Pro-Am)

“Thank you very much to Nissan for giving me the chance to race in Blancpain. I am very interested in the series and I like the track so much. I have been there five times for the Nürburgring 24 Hours but not this year so I am pleased to go there again. It is good to be part of the Nismo Global Driver Exchange.”



Jérôme Policand, #10 SOFREV-ASP Ferrari 458 Italia (Gents)

“Last year the Nürburgring was the circuit where we had our worst results so we want to change that this year obviously. The Ferrari 458 Italia is different this year, with the new aerodynamic kit and we are now on Pirelli tyres too!


But once again in our category, raw performance might be less important than it is in the Pro and Pro Am classes. It is the cohesion between the drivers that is really important, and we have had that since the beginning of 2013, so we will try to finish this season on a high note!”



Karim Ojjeh, #15 Boutsen-Ginion McLaren MP4-12C (Gents)

“I am very much looking forward to Nürburgring! It is going to be a really good test for us; it is only unfortunate that it is going to be the last race of the season! But what is going to be interesting is that we are going to be driving for the first time in a 1000-kilometer race. It will test us as drivers and also the car, but the Boutsen-Ginion team are strong and we can achieve a good result for sure.”




Sam Smith- photo SRO