Photo Finish in the LMP2 Category at the Nürburgring
In the fourth round of the 2016 WEC season, held at the Nürburgring, Strakka Racing with a Gibson 015S – Nissan were just pipped in the battle for a podium position. In the final seconds of the race, the Ligier JSP2 leaped forward to cross the line in third position – with a 0.071-second lead over the team from Silverstone. The race was won by the Alpine A460 – Nissan.
The Eifel weather, usually a very changeable affair, surprised with consistency on this World Endurance Championship weekend. In sticky and hot conditions, 58,000 visitors witnessed an LMP1 race with partly spectacular overtaking manoeuvres, thrilling wheel to wheel battles – and at the end of the 194-lap race, the Porsche #1 prevailed against the two Audi R18s. For the World Champions who crossed the line with a clear lead it was the second consecutive win in their home race and they deservedly were celebrated by the crowds. Last year’s winners in the independent-team LMP1 category, ByKOLLES, struggled with technical problems and were forced into retirement with about half the race contested. Consequently, team and drivers were extremely disappointed. Before the end of the event, the circuit and organisers confirmed that a date for the German round of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship has been set for the 14th-16th of July.
Nürburgring – arguably the most legendary racetrack in the world
More than 90 years ago, on June 18th 1927, the circuit made its motor-racing debut with the Eifel-Race for motorbikes. Due to World War II, the race action came to a halt in the 1940s but from 1951, the newly founded Formula One was a regular visitor at the Nürburgring Nordschleife. 25 years later, however, after Niki Lauda’s nearly fatal accident, Formula One opted for not racing at the Green Heel any longer for safety reasons. Only after the opening of the new GP circuit with its length of initially 4.542 kilometres, the pinnacle of motor racing returned to the Eifel. In the new millennium, the circuit once again was massively modernised – for instance with a new entertainment and business centre – what turned the venue Nürburgring into an even more attractive venue. And the construction of the Mercedes-Arena resulted in the new track length of 5,148 kilometres.
Since mid-2016, the Nürburgring features a ‘RAVENOL-Kurve’ – the lefthander following the Michael Schumacher S. The ‘RAVENOL-Kurve’ made a very spectacular debut in the ADAC Zurich 24h Race: on the final lap it was the stage of the spectacular and crucial final overtaking manoeuvre. RAVENOL is technology partner of the Nürburgring and lubricant partner of the Nürburgring Driving Academy. As a supplier of driver training and driving experiences at the Nürburgring RAVENOL will continue to offer a diverse range of products – from, engine, gearbox and hydraulic oils to coolants, winter products, greases, additives, cleaners, and car-care products.
