Last Friday, Rinaldi Racing went to the Nürburgring for the second round of the VLN.

At the Nürburgring/Nordschleife, Rinaldi Racing looked after the Wochenspiegel Team Monschau. The Ferrari 488 GT3 with the starting number 22 and the drivers Oliver Kainz, Jochen Krumbach and Mike Stursberg were there. Also the Porsche Cayman GT4 with the starting number 169 and the drivers Rene Offermann and Dirk Riebensahm.

On Friday, two tests were scheduled. So the three drivers could do some more laps on the GT3. The drivers on the Porsche were also able to get some more driving experience.

On Saturday morning, Kainz, Krumbach and Stursberg qualified in third place in the ProAm class and thus started the race from 26th place overall. The Cayman with Offermann and Riebensahm finished 5th in the SP10 class.

The start of the race went smoothly for both cars. Oliver Kainz in the Ferrari drove his lap times constantly and was able to make up some positions until the pit stop. After the pit stop, Mike Stursberg took over the steering wheel in the Italian car. After about an hour of driving, an accident occurred: in overtaking traffic, there was an unfortunate contact with another car. At full speed, the Ferrari spun and crashed head-on into the crash barrier. Thus the race was over for the team.

Things went better for the Porsche Cayman. Rene Offermann drove the start and could work his way up to 4th place of the class until the pit stop. Dirk Riebensahm took over the last stint and was able to claim third place in SP10 thanks to his good performance.

Michele Rinaldi: “It is very bitter for the Ferrari. After the accident at the first VLN round, we repaired the Ferrari and were looking forward to attack at VLN 2. But unfortunately, nothing came of it. Now we have to see to it that we get the Ferrari rebuilt for the qualifying race in a fortnight. Big praise to the team, who did a great job. Congratulations to Rene and to Dirk for a great third place in class. I’m sure they can both move up even further in the next races.”