Lurani Trophy Round 2
If there’s one thing to learn from the years of visiting, it’s never to trust a Nürburgring weather forecast!
From our position in the paddock overlooking the Veedol curves, a glimpse of the Nordschleife through the trees beyond, and the surrounding views of the Eifel mountains, the advance forecast of sunshine definitely didn’t necessitate unpacking the shorts! It was rain, but never heavy, on Friday, grey clouds breaking through to sunshine on Saturday, and similar on Sunday, but a constant wind.
Arrival was on Thursday for most, and a catch up while we queued at the welcome centre, then on into the paddock to set up and commence scrutineering. A lovely evening followed at Pistenklause, and amongst the fantastic display of photos on the restaurant walls, was a photo from the 46th Coppa Intereuropa at Monza in the 90’s, of a Stanguellini leading a Taraschi. The same duo of Italian makes were entered this weekend, with Andrea Guarino having a maiden outing in a Stanguellini, borrowing Bruno Ferrari’s, and Charly Bastiaanssen in his beautiful Taraschi.
Friday morning dawned damp, but there was no rush, as we weren’t out until 15.30 for qualifying. Manfredo Rossi had been out in the previous session in his Mustang, but when a red flag paused proceedings, he came in from a pole setting lap time to wait for the FJ session. Unfortunately for him it then dried up and a number of the field went faster while he sat in the assembly area waiting to go out in his Lotus 22.
So it was a modest 18 FJ’s who headed out onto track, Manfredo taking advantage of his earlier laps by setting the pace, but each time the pit board went out the gap to Clive behind came tumbling down, until Clive took pole by a 0.8 second margian. Fabian Fabek completed a Lotus 22 top three, but only just ahead of Stuart Roach, drifting his front engine Alexis Mk 2 to the limit.
Simon Jackson (De Tomaso) pulled in early with an oil leak issue, so only managed fifth, but Keith Pickering in his Britannia surprised usual Class C2 leader Christian Lange (Envoy) by showing a pace he wasn’t expecting after having lead at their previous meeting at Spa.
There was unfortunately trouble for Bruno Ferrari, the engine in his Branca giving up, and Guarino also found 4th gear absent, so both sadly packed up and departed before racing had even begun. Engine issues also for Charly’s Taraschi, but a spirited effort from Iain, Richard B-M, and Richard Sheppard had him ready to race by the next day.
Kindly laying on this weekend’s post qualifying social were Fabian Fabek and father Ingo, and as ever, grateful thanks to the hosts for supporting this tradition going, such a core part of our race weekends.
Race 1
For some, the main event of the weekend was the opportunity to take their FJ’s for two laps of the Nordschleife, and for Clive, he openly admitted his pole position in qualifying was more important in allowing him to be lead FJ behind veteran driver of the 20km circuit, Henning Meyersrenken, in his classic Porsche, with Grant alongside him for the ride, than for the racing itself. Clive held back in places to allow for a run at race speed for multiple corners for himself and the following pack. Fair to say everyone came back grinning and giddy from the thrill of it. A few hours’ breather followed, to refuel both cars and driver adrenalin, before they lined up for the start of Race 1.
Instead of lights out, it was red to green this weekend, and a great start from Manfredo saw him leading into turn 1, but it was short lived as Clive was soon past, and try as he might, Manfredo couldn’t quite emulate the leader’s precision lines as he hung on as long as he could, 3 seconds adrift at the flag.
Simon Jackson, with Jack in support, had diagnosed the De Tomaso’s problem prior to the morning’s adventure on the Nordschleife and was straight through into third from the start, whilst behind Stuart Roach had made up for a slow start and got past both Pickering and Guichard (Lynx Mk 3), but perhaps pushed that bit too hard, as he had to park up after 5 laps with a broken diff.
Only other retirement in the race was Lars-Goran Sjoberg, pulling into the pits the lap after, but both were back on the grid for Sunday, not without considerable effort replacing the Alexis’ diff for Stuart. However, Marc Schmitz, having taken the chequered flag, needed a recovery truck to bring him back, his Elva 100 suffering a big end failure. Marc was happy just to be out racing again after a break of a few years, so we look forward to him joining us again at Spa later in the year.
Prizegiving was on the stage by Parc Ferme, but the drivers were somewhat surprised when the traditional playing of the national anthem was absent, and instead as they left the podium, rock music was blasted out. All for a good cause though, to promote the later evening festivities, with a brilliant rock band performing the classics, enjoyed by many, culminating in an impressive fireworks display to round off the day.
Race 2
It was another relaxed start to the morning on Sunday, with the live streaming of Le Mans as a backdrop, before it was our turn again, and the 14 remaining runners made their way to the assembly area. Even for the planned quick start procedure, it was a surprise when the lights were red for such a short time before going green, so reactions needed to be quick!
What a race followed; 25 mins of nose to tail from the leaders, with barely a hayfever sneeze between them. Manfredo finally seized an opportunity to lead just a couple of laps before the flag fell, but was unable to make it last, and Clive sealed the double win by just under 0.3 seconds. But they weren’t alone in dualling, Stuart and Keith, in reverse order for the first couple of laps, were never out of touch, finishing sixth and seventh respectively, and likewise for Peter Laier (Brabham BT6) and Richard Bishop-Miller (Caravelle Mk II), eighth and ninth, until Richard’s drive shaft cruelly called enough just a few corners short of the finish line. The Lange brothers also enjoyed each other’s company on track, but the race was rather more lonely for Pierre Guichard once he broke free in fifth, commenting that he was going through his gearbox like he was mixing a salad!
While Grant cast his eye over the cars for a final time in Parc Ferme, the overall Race 2 trophies were presented, along with the Class awards, before all the drivers climbed on stage for a group photo, jumping pics included!
Next year is the 100th Anniversary of the Nürburgring, so no excuses, this event it just a wonderful atmosphere, but in the meantime, a full to the brim entry awaits in Charade, as we try a new circuit to many for Round 3.