AVIA W&S Motorsport and Sorg Rennsport win the season opener of the Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring

Meuspath. The 68th ADAC Westfalenfahrt last Saturday marked the opening of the second season of the Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring (PETN) as a Porsche one-make series as part of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS). In Cup 2 class, AVIA W&S Motorsport (#120) with Paul Harkema and Tim Scheerbarth finished first. Cup 3 class was won by Sorg Rennsport (#959) with Heiko Eichenberg, Fabio Grosse and Patrik Grütter. A total of 27 vehicles competed in the PETN at the season opener. Among them were 13 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of the 992-generation in Cup 2 and 14 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS (982) in Cup 3 class.

Qualifying on Saturday morning began in cold but sunny conditions and the track was still damp. With a time of 8:59.454 minutes, Hendrik von Danwitz in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of the Frikadelli Racing Team (#111) was fastest around the 24.458-kilometer combination of the short version of the Nürburgring GP circuit and the Nordschleife, thus securing pole position in Cup 2 class. The first starting position in Cup 3 class went to Moritz Oberheim, who is competing for AVIA W&S Motorsport (#960) this season, with a time of 9:11.882 minutes. With this, the first points of the season were awarded to the pole setters.

Opening victory for reigning PETN Cup 2 champion AVIA W&S Motorsport

In both classes of the one-make series, the race was characterized by thrilling duels and numerous lead changes. In Cup 2 class, reigning PETN team champion AVIA W&S Motorsport (#120) with Paul Harkema and Tim Scheerbarth saw the checkered flag first after four hours and 27 laps. "That was a debut made to measure, just the way you want it to be. First race, first win, unfortunately not first pole but the fastest race lap – we can be very happy with that. The car was well prepared and we were able to drive a great pace", summarized Tim Scheerbarth, driver of the number 120 AVIA W&S Motorsport. Second place in Cup 2 class went to Mühlner Motorsport (#123) with Marcel Hoppe and Peter Terting. The PETN debutants Max Kruse Racing (#100) could claim the third place on the podium with Nicholas Otto and Benjamin Leuchter.*

After the first race, Herbert Lösch of KKrämer Racing (#112) leads the AM drivers' standings in Cup 2 class. The driver line-up was completed with team manager Karsten Krämer and Pro-driver Alexey Veremenko. "We are totally happy that we were able to follow up on last year's opening success - this time in the AM classification. Herbert made a great debut and Alexey also did a super job. Our ambition with the 112 is to be among the front runners in the AM classification," explains Karsten Krämer, driver and team boss of KKrämer Racing. Second place went to Heiko Hammel and Andrew Engelmann from Max Kruse Racing (#127) ahead of Klaus Abbelen and 'Jules' with Pro driver Hendrik von Danwitz from the Frikadelli Racing Team (#111).

Sorg Rennsport with most points in Cup 3 class

Heiko Eichenberg, Fabio Grosse and Patrik Grütter saw the checkered flag first in the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS (982) of Sorg Rennsport (#959). As a result, the team not only collects full points for the race, but is credited with an additional point for the fastest race lap in their class. "Patrik made a really good start from second place. In my stint I was able to overtake the AVIA Cayman and Fabio was able to pull out a minute lead at the end – that's how we won the race. It was a great weekend: the right tactics, the right drivers on the car at the right moment - we hope it continues like this," said Heiko Eichenberg, driver of car number 959. Pole-setters AVIA W&S Motorsport (#960) with Moritz Oberheim, Marius Rauer and Finn Zulauf followed with a gap of 1:09.898 minutes ahead of Smyrlis Racing (#952) with Francesco Merlini, Christopher Rink and Philipp Stahlschmidt.

The amateur classification of the Cup 3 class was won by Matthias Beckwermert and Stefan Kruse from Adrenalin Motorsport (#930) with Pro-driver David Griessner in their PETN debut. "A great experience to finish the season opener like this. For us drivers as well as for the whole team racing of this car was new territory. David and Stefan did a mega job and the team was top prepared. We found a good balance over the course of the race weekend," explains Beckwermert. Second and third place went to Team Oehme (#944) with Leonard, Moritz and Niklas Oehme and Team Mathol Racing (#955) with 'Coco', Alex Fielenbach, Rüdiger Schicht and Marcos Adolfo Vazquez.

The second race of the season is the NIMEX 47th DMV 4-Hour Race and will take place on April 1.

*Provisional result