Callaway fights back at Nurburgring; holds on to 2nd in points + Suzuka 10 hours bonus coverage.
Capturing 18 positions on Saturday and 11 spots on Sunday capped off a thrilling weekend for the # 77 Callaway C7 GT3R at the Nurburgring.
The team discovered in qualifying a fuel leak from an intake rail damaged by a small bracket holding it in place that broke. The car was penalized per ADAC rules that bar outside help. The repairs set the stage for a charge from last (P31) to 12th.
Changing weather and the final lap cut short set the stage for another run from P19 to 8th on Sunday.
Climbing so many positions is exceptional, moving past blockers and in this case limited by a 50 mm restrictor.
Marvin Kirchhöfer and Markus Pommer scoring 12th and 8th (awarded 7th by default) hang onto second place with 2 races to go because the winners Lambo Orange 1 GRT Grasser team lie further back in the standing.
# 63 of Mirko Bortolotti/Christian Engelhart won on Saturday; # 82 Rolf Ineichen/Franck Perera won on Sunday.
Meanwhile the steadfast # 13 RWT piloted by David Jahn got off to a great start and he and Sven Barth finished 4th for their best result this season.
A drive-through penalty dropped them to 23rd on Sunday. Barth leads the championship for the Pirelli Trophy.
Thanks to team principal Ernst Wehr for commentary and analysis.
Results compiled by Wayne Ellwood
Bonus Coverage from Suzuka Japan
Jetting off to Japan, Callaway Pro Markus Pommer anchored the Bingo Racing Team Corvette C7 GT3R 006 making its second annual appearance at Suzuka for the Blancpain International GT Series 10-hour race. Note installation of night running lights.
Re-painted (wrapped) in “Corvette Yellow” for 2019.
The reward was 2nd place in the mixed driver class for PRO, PRO-AM, SILVER and AMATEUR.
It is an honor that team principal, Shinji Takei, one of Japan’s most prominent businessman opted for the distinguished Callaway C7 GT3R Corvette over other exotics.
Photos courtesy of Patrick Durand, AMP Magazine
