WestCoast Racing drivers Fredrik Lestrup and Martin Matzke finished 16th in the first ADAC GT Masters race at Nürburgring after having started 20th. The race was run in difficult conditions with the field starting behind the safety car due to wet conditions. During the race the rain stopped and the track dried up partially with the rain coming and going. Some teams elected to change to slicks in the pit stop where as WestCoast Racing and others stayed on the rain tyres the whole race.

Martin Matzke drove the first stint and intitially climbed several places until he lost some grip in the tyres and fell back. He went into the pits around 22nd place halfway through the race.
”It was a difficult race in difficult conditions. I made a good start but towards the end of the stint it was very slippery and I struggled for grip. At least we finished the race with the car in one piece and gained some positions. I hope for a dry race tomorrow as I think it will suit our car better,” Martin said of this stint and race.

Fredrik Lestrup took over the steering wheel and drove the last stint. He was in the midst of an intense battle, overtook six cars and fought for positions just outside the points. He was happy with the stint but had hoped for a better position.
”It was actually one of the best races I’ve driven and a lot of fun racing other cars the whole stint. It is not the position we hoped for but we knew it would be tough to score points today. At least we had some good race pace and could gain a lot of places. The tyres overheated the last two laps which cost me a position. It was exciting with the conditions changing so much and with some driving in slicks and others on rain tyres. Each lap was completely different, nothing stayed the same for more than one lap. The car felt better today so now we prepare for another day and new conditions tomorrow,” Fredrik said.

The second race starts at 12.30 tomorrow Sunday. Fredrik Lestrup then starts and takes the first stint.

Raceresult, race 1 ADAC GT Masters Nürburgring