Krumbach and Bermes extend their lead with a 2nd place

The Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium based Mühlner Motorsport Team were entered in the RCM-Grenzlandrennen, the 6th round of the German Endurance Cup, with the Krimskoye Porsche for Heinz-Josef Bermes and Jochen Krumbach.

The start of the second half of the season for Europe’s best supported endurance series enjoyed blue skies, sunshine and a dry track. 202 cars took part in qualifying, with 190 starting the 4 hour race at, unusually, 1pm, an hour later than the normal start-time. Over 28,000 spectators lined the legendary Norschleife circuit.

Mühlner Motorsport allowed their driver pairing just the bare minimum one lap each in qualifying, preferring to save the car, but they still qualified 3rd in their very competitive class. "In a four hour race it really doesn’t make any difference whether we start a row further forward or back, the result after 700km of racing and two pitstops is not going to be decided on the grid position. Thus we prefer not to take any unnecessary risks" explained Bernhard Mühlner his reasons for not chasing pole.

Krumbach drove the start turn and was instructed not to get mixed up in any unnecessary fights for position so he held his 3rd place but pitted after 9 laps in 2nd place as a car ahead had pitted a lap earlier. Bermes took over the refuelled car with fresh tyres for the 2nd 9 lap stint.

Krumbach took the car again for the final stint, at which point the Krimskoye Porsche was lying in 4th in the very competitive class. Krumbach pushed and was able to close the gap to the 3rd place car, and then overtake him and draw away to open up a 35 second advantage.

As the two leading cars were too far ahead, the Mühlner Team were ready to accept 3rd place and another podium when the 2nd place car came into the pits and retired with gearbox problems. And so Bermes and Krumbach in the Krimskoye Porsche were able to celebrate a 2nd place and to further extend their lead in the unofficial class championship.

"Our Porsche ran problem-free again. The 2nd place in this competitive class is another super result, which has added many points to our tally. As our Krimskoye Porsche now has 2 wins, 2 seconds and a third from the first 6 races, we are now the best place 997 Cup Porsche in the championship and lead the class, notwithstanding the no-score after the accident at the third round" summarized team boss Renate-Carola Mühlner the race and the season so far.

At the 6-hour race on 15th September both Mühlner Porsches will be entered. Alongside the Krimskoye Porsche for Bermes and Krumbach, the sister car in the blue design will be piloted by four Swedish drivers.

www.muehlner-motorsport.com

- Bernhard Mühlner -