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Total 911’s Motorsport Monday roundup – 19 May 2014

The Porsche 911 was well represented at Europe’s race circuits this weekend, with the Carrera Cup Deutschland, European Le Mans Series, and Blancpain Sprint Series wowing crowds across three countries.

Carrera Cup Deutschland rounds 3 & 4 – Oschersleben, Germany

Christopher Zöchling (centre) enjoys the plaudits of his maiden Carrera Cup Deutschland victory.
Christopher Zöchling (centre) enjoys the plaudits of his maiden Carrera Cup Deutschland victory.

The second Carrera Cup Deutschland meeting of 2014 saw the circus head from the Hockenheimring to the tight and twisting Oschersleben, a 2.28-mile circuit 80 miles east of Hanover.

Race one saw Austrian driver, Christopher Zöchling secure his first ever Carrera Cup victory, leading from start to finish after polesitter, Pieter Schothorst ran through the gravel at the opening corner of the encounter.

Behind, Porsche Junior, Alex Riberas finished second, just 0.4 seconds away from the top step of podium, while Christian Engelhart came home third for Konrad Motorsport. Riberas’ fellow Junior, Connor de Philippi finished seventh after a mistake.

Christian Engelhart rounded off a strong weekend for Konrad Motorsport, although he was pushed hard by Jaap van Lagen.
Christian Engelhart rounded off a strong weekend for Konrad Motorsport, although he was pushed hard by Jaap van Lagen.

Sunday’s second race saw the fourth winner from as many rounds as damp conditions greeted the competitors. Poleman, Michael Ammermüller was beaten away from the line by 2013 Supercup champion, Nicki Thiim, only for the Dane to fall into the gravel and retirement.

This mistake allowed Christian Engelhart through into a lead he would never relinquish, despite intense pressure from Jaap van Lagen. Ammermüller recovered to take third, ahead of new points leader de Philippi who, in turn, was chased home by Earl Bamber, winner of last weekend’s Supercup race.

European Le Mans Series round 2 – Imola, Italy

Ben Barker took the flag in 17th overall after he and Adam Carroll put in two impressive stints.
Ben Barker took the flag in 17th overall after he and Adam Carroll put in two impressive stints.

After his impressive Supercup performance in Barcelona, Ben Barker was in ELMS action at the Four Hours of Imola, once again behind the wheel of the Gulf Racing UK Porsche 997 GT3 RSR.

As at Silverstone, the last generation RSR struggled for pace, especially against the gambit of newer Ferrari 458 machinery. Partnering with Mike Wainwright and Adam Carroll, Barker’s 911 qualified tenth in the GTE class, the first Porsche behind nine Maranello machines.

After Wainwright’s opening stint, the Gulf Racing machine sat 33rd overall and 12th in class, nearly a lap behind the 11th-placed GTE-class runner. However, as Carroll and Barker took over, the car rocketed up the order.

The ageing Porsche 997 GT3 RSR struggled at Imola against the Ferrari 458 horde.
The ageing Porsche 997 GT3 RSR struggled at Imola against the Ferrari 458 horde.

By the end of hour two, the car was tenth in class, before vaulting into the position of lead Porsche by the end of the third hour before being passed by one of the IMSA Performance 911s in the final 60 minutes.

Barker was able to bring the car home in 17th overall, an admirable eighth in class behind six consecutive Ferrari entries. The next round of the series sees the ELMS head to Austria on 19-20 July.

Blancpain Sprint Series round 2 – Brands Hatch, UK

Farnbacher Racing would have given the Porsche 911 GT3 R its Blancpain Sprint Series debut at Brands Hatch but for a practice accident.
Farnbacher Racing would have given the Porsche 911 GT3 R its Blancpain Sprint Series debut at Brands Hatch but for a practice accident.

Porsche’s debut in the new-for-2014 Blancpain Sprint Series will have to wait until later in the year after an accident in the first free practice session ruled out Farnbacher Racing’s 997 GT3 R from taking part in Sunday’s two races.

British 911 ace, Nick Tandy had been due to make his first Blancpain appearance of the season at the Brands Hatch round however, teammate Philipp Frommenwiler crashed heavily at Stirlings bend, damaging the car beyond repair.

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