Falken successfully got both cars past the finishing line under the most challenging weather conditions in the third round of the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring. Drivers Martin Ragginger and Dirk Werner in the Porsche 911 GT3 R made a strong comeback around the Nordschleife, ending up in 8th place. Stef Dusseldorp and Alexandre Imperatori finished in 29th place in the BMW M6 GT3.
The “Green Hell” once again showed its unsympathetic face during qualifying. Under damp to wet track conditions, it was only a matter of minutes before the first incidents occurred, and yellow phases began to be signalled. This prevented the Falken cars from achieving any top rounds in this phase, the outcome being: 21st place for the Porsche 911 GT3 R (8:30.723 minutes), followed directly by their team colleagues in the BMW M6 GT3 (8:31.749 minutes).
The 4h race started in rain and 6°C outside temperatures. Despite the chaos caused by accidents, yellow phases and heavier rain, both Falken cars could initially claw back positions, finding themselves directly behind the Top 3 shortly before the first pit stops. But the extremely rapidly changing weather conditions forced the Falken Porsche to switch again to more suitable tires shortly after the scheduled pit stop; this unplanned visit cost it several positions. In the meantime, the Falken BMW made a somewhat ungentle acquaintance with the guard rail, but was able to continue on its way after a quick repair.
As the Falken duo entered the last third of the race, they were essentially in the same places as where they had begun a few hours back. But with a drying surface, particularly Ragginger and Werner again made an amazing comeback, regaining position by position to end up in 8th place, thereby finishing among the Top 10. Dusseldorp’s and Imperatori’s efforts were no less impressive than those of their team colleagues, as they fought their way back to 29th position.
Falken’s next race appearance will be the prologue to the 24h Race, the ADAC Qualifying Race 24h, on 18 and 19 May 2019 at the Nürburgring.
Source - FalkenTyre.com