VLN 2019: Kick-off with many Swiss 🎥
PREVIEW The Endurance Championship Nürburgring (VLN) starts on Saturday. Switzerland is strongly represented - but not with Nico Müller and still without Yannick Mettler, who is driving Mercedes for the first time. The 2019 VLN comprises nine races, eight of which are over four hours and the one on August 3 over six hours. The races will be held on the 24.385-kilometer [...]
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The 2019 VLN comprises nine races, eight of which are over four hours and the one on August 3 over six hours. The races will be held on the 24.385-kilometer version of the GP circuit and Nordschleife.
Preparing for the 24 Hours - but without Nico Müller
Some teams use the first three rounds to prepare for the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, which will not take place until June 21/22 - the weekend of the Swiss Formula E race in Bern. This is the reason why Nico miller has to pass this year. He is needed as a test and reserve driver in the Audi Sport Team ABT Schaeffler electric races and these dates do not permit any starts at the Nürburgring.
Yannick Mettler at Black Falcon
At least for the first two VLN races, also Yannick Mettler missing. Last year's VLN GT4 champion and 24-hour winner is switching from the BMW M4 to a Mercedes-AMG GT4 from Black Falcon, but will only contest the most important races for the time being. These include the third VLN round, the qualifying and 24-hour races and the 6-hour race as the fourth driver. Scheduling conflicts with a project he's still hiding won't allow for more. We are curious...
Despite the absence of Nico Müller (and also Marcel Fässler), there are Swiss with good chances on the overall winner's podium. One is Alexandre Imperatori on a BMW M6 GT3 from Falken Motorsports - it's just a shame that the Freiburg-based company, which is based in Shanghai, is apparently competing with a Chinese license again.
Ambitious Ferrari project
For this, as reported, the in Zug grown up and living Philip Ellis (Welsh father, German mother) competes under the Swiss flag for the first time. At the Nürburgring with GetSpeed Performance on a Mercedes-AMG GT3.
With the prospect of further deployments starting Alex Fontana on March 23 in a Nissan GT-R for the first time in the premier class on the Nordschleife. Returning there Octane126 with a Ferrari 488 with Simon Trummer, New addition Jonathan Hirschi and the German Björn Grossmann (multiple European champion) as driver. An elaborate project - the joint long-term goal of the Zurichers and the Italians is the first victory of a Ferrari in the 24-hour race.
Rahel Frey and Jasmin Preisig as team leaders
Other Swiss with well-known names are aiming for class victories. Rahel Frey supports Audi customer Bernhard Henzel in the SP8 class. His R8 LMS is running on tires from Giti, which is attracting attention with an all-female team (girls only). That's why Rahel is also involved there as a coach. One of the female drivers in the SP3T class on the VW Golf GTI TCR from Giti Tire Motorsport by WS Racing and at the same time the most experienced one is Jasmin Preisig. The first VLN races also serve the ladies to prepare for the big marathon in June.
Competition for Yerly and Rothenberger
In the TCR class go Frédéric Yerly and Sandro Rothenberger on the grid. Following the withdrawal from Honda Racing Team Schmid, Yerly switches to a Cupra with mathilda Racing, with whom he drove in the VLN final round in 2018. Sandro Rothenberger will again be on the grid with his private Cupra. The TCR competition is very strong at the start of the season with two factory Hyundai and a top Honda Civic and VW Golf each.
In its second full season, the company is striving Philipp Hagnauer on a Porsche Cayman S, is aiming for victories and the title in the V6 production cars. With a brand-new 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport takes Ivan Jacoma tackles another VLN season, this time in the Cayman GT4 Trophy by Manthey Racing (Cup 3 class).
Willy Hüppi (Porsche 911 GT3 Cup/SP7), Manuel Amweg on a Toyota GT86 (SP3) from Milltek Racing, the duo Max Langenegger/Beni Badertscher on their private Peugeot RCZ (SP2T), the brothers Michael and Martin Kroll plus Michael's son-in-law Alexander Prinz as well as Roland Eggimann on two BMW e46 (SP6) from Hofor Racing and Herbie Schmidt on an Opel Astra GTC (VT2) are - as far as known - other Swiss participants.
Livestream from the race
The race starts on Saturday at 12 noon. You can follow the practice (from 8:15 a.m.) and the entire race in the livestream at this link:
