“Four in a row” for PRTC Eifel king Tim Schestag at Nürburgring GP circuit

Nürburgring. Rounds 9 & 10 of the current season in the Pfister-Racing Touring Car Challenge (PRTC) were held at the legendary Nürburgring GP circuit from October 16-17, 2021. The Nürburgring once again lived up to its name with the famous “Eifel weather” and changeable conditions, which was to add some extra action to an exciting racing weekend. The 5.148 km long track version with the famous “Schumacher-S” should be a lot of fun for all the drivers.

As usual, the Pfister Racing Touring Car Challenge (PRTC) is also a good springboard for newcomers to motor racing. Marco Chianese (ITA) from Würzburg, Germany, another new driver, made his touring car debut at this racing weekend.

“Real cars, real racing. That’s the motto of our racing series. We offer professionally organized races with appealing touring cars in 4 qualifying categories, at reasonable costs and with good marketing. This concept is becoming increasingly popular, and we have been pleased with the great response. Last but not least, our racers put on a terrific show for the spectators!” stated organizer Andreas Pfister at the beginning of the racing weekend.

David Stein (GER, Usingen) made it into the top 5 on his home circuit

All of the racing cars are equipped with standard tires from TOYO TIRES, with the semi-slick Proxes R888R, which, in combination with the central fielding and “rotating system” of the CHEVROLET and CUPRA racing cars by Pfister-Racing GmbH, ensure a competitive race at an affordable price.

The winner of the 2021 Pfister Racing Touring Car Challenge (PRTC) will receive a free test drive in the 350 hp TCR racing car.

Challenging mixed conditions in qualifying and race 1

The 30-minute open training session was still held under cold but dry weather conditions, and the racers had the opportunity to look for the best braking and turn-in points on the track, as well as to warm up the TOYO-TIRES semi-slicks to the right operating temperature.

In the important qualifying session to determine the starting grid, the onset of rain then provided an extra dose of excitement with mixed conditions on the track. Tim Schestag (GER, Walldorf) was able to make perfect use of the drier conditions at the start of the session and set a fast time straight away on the second lap, which helped him into pole position once again. The first row of the grid was sensationally completed by youngster Noah-Gabriel Vogler (GER, Ranstadt) in his CUPRA Ibiza V1 Cup racing car.

In the second row Dirk Ehlebracht (GER, Oberursel) and Robin Renz (GER, Filderstadt) finished ahead of Roman Holzner (GER, Munich) who had not yet given up their hopes of winning the race.

Pole position, a record and two more victories for Tim Schestag (GER, Walldorf)

The start of the first race on Saturday morning with a rolling Indianapolis start was now awaited with great excitement. Once again, the track was still partially wet and slippery, which demanded the utmost concentration from the racers.

The first laps were already neutralized by the “safety car” at the start of the race and the drivers prepared for the re-start, which Schestag was able to use to lead the race. Behind him, Robin Renz and Dirk Ehlebracht each moved up one position, followed by Roman Holzner as well as Marco Bedrich (GER, Cottbus) and Thomas Eckert (GER, Nuremberg).

The winning drivers in race 1: (f.l.t.r.) Robin Renz, Tim Schestag and Dirk Ehlebracht

Some great wheel-on-wheel battles also took place in the midfield: guest starter Claus Gramlich (GER, Frankfurt) was quickly able to get used to the Nürburgring and fought with Marco Chianese and Patrick Huber (GER, Stuttgart) for the other points placings.

The track now began to dry gradually, which allowed faster lap times. At the front, Tim Schestag did not let himself get rattled and extended his lead over the competition lap by lap until it disappeared from his rear-view mirrors.

Meanwhile, in CUPRA class 1, Noah-Gabriel Vogler took a commanding lead ahead of Pascal Fiedler (GER, Reinhardshagen). In CUPRA class 3, Alexander Sailer (GER, Berlin) handled the CUPRA Leon MKII DSG racing car with increasing skill during the race.

The first four drivers had taken their positions and behind them Marco Bedrich managed to establish himself in front of Thomas Eckert, but the man from Nuremberg was able to keep up with Bedrich.

Most of the drivers raced without any mistakes despite the difficult conditions and once again offered flawless touring car motor racing.

Schestag secured a commanding victory ahead of Robin Renz and Dirk Ehlebracht, who completed the podium. Roman Holzner finished in 4th place ahead of Marco Bedrich and Thomas Eckert.

Thrilling four-way battle in the second race with photo finish by Holzner/Ehlebracht

In the second race on Saturday afternoon, the PRTC racers were then rewarded by the weather gods with some rays of sunshine and a completely dry race track.

However, this reshuffled the cards again: Who could adapt fastest to the better gripping conditions on the race track now?

The race was again started with a rolling Indianapolis start and immediately heralded with a bang in the first bend: Marco Bedrich and Thomas Eckert did not agree on the Eifel “right of way” in the first bend and Bedrich far too optimistically set his braking point too late. Making the entry into the bend impossible and resulting in Bedrich colliding with Eckert’s rear axle, which meant an early end of the race for both of them.

Thomas Eckert was the unlucky one in the second race

The ensuing four-way battle between Schestag, Renz, Ehlebracht and Holzner at the head of the field offered no less action. All four drivers set very fast lap times and stormed away from the rest of the field in their own league.

This time it was much more difficult for Schestag to keep his lead and he had to face some hard attacks from Robin Renz, but he was able to counter each of them. Schestag therefore achieved "four in a row”. Dirk Ehlebracht and Roman Holzner battled no less hard for 3rd place, which Holzner held onto by just 0.035 tenths of a second in an impressive photo finish crossing the finish line!

David Stein was also able to improve his speed significantly and managed to make it into the top 5 at his home race with a lot of fan support. In 6th place Claus Gramlich was closely followed by Marco Chianese, who both also showed a great race, ahead of Patrick Huber. Meanwhile, victory in CUPRA class 1 went to Noah-Gabriel Vogler as usual.