Robert Lechner On The ‘Ring 24 Hours
In The DBRS9
© Johannes Gauglica

Robert Lechner knows his way around the Nürburgring: “I lived close by for a while, I have some experience on that track” – and some success as well. Lechner won the 2002 edition of the Nürburgring 24 Hours, with Zakspeed Racing, and came home in third place three years later, with the same team. Two years on, the 29 year old man from Salzburg is involved in an intriguing, and potentially race-winning, project that involves an Aston Martin DBRS9, the first GT3 car to hit the Nordschleife.

Lechner is no stranger to Aston Martins, he races the #36 DBR9 for Jetalliance Racing in the FIA GT Championship. The Nordschleife, of course, is not homologated for GT1 cars. Outwardly, the DBR9 and DBRS9 appear very similar; so what difference is there, and how does it make itself felt to the driver?

“The GT1 is more responsive; the DBRS9 we drive on the ‘Ring has to weigh some 200kgs more, as per the regulations. But it doesn’t necessarily handle “heavier”, in fact it creates more pressure (weight) on the rear axle, and the weight can be balanced better. But it isn’t quite as edgy to drive as the DBR9.”

On the ‘Ring, the DBRS9’s road car DNA is an advantage: “A GT1 car wouldn’t be so much faster round this track at all,” Lechner reckons, “because the chassis would still be too stiff.” – Phoenix Racing also campaigned a DBR9 in FIA GT last year, and has adapted some GT1 components, such as the cooling system, for use in their DBRS9.

The difference is more evident between the Aston and Lechner’s old office, the Dodge Viper GTR-S:

“I am glad the Viper is still in the hunt but, you can’t help but notice it’s getting on a bit. It is just as heavy as the Aston (1350kgs), their basic layout is the same, but the weight is making itself felt much more. The Nordschleife has been improved significantly over the years, many sections have been newly paved, so you can run a stiffer suspension. A few years ago you just wanted as much suspension travel as possible; nowadays you can set the car up in a more subtle way.”

Lechner will share the Aston Martin with Marcel Fässler, Sascha Bert, and Klaus Ludwig; and he knows his team mates well: “I have known Marcel since my Formula 3 days, we raced against each other at Macau in 1998. Sascha Bert was on the (Zakspeed) team when we made third place in 2005; and we also collaborate occasionally at the driver trainings we hold” – this, along with the Walter Lechner Racing School, a racing team, and a host of other activities, is Robert’s day job.

“I have also raced with Klaus Ludwig, although no one remembers that! In 2003, Klaus was supposed to do the 24 Hours with Zakspeed, but eventually it didn’t happen; but we did do one German championship race in preparation for the 24 Hours, and finished second. Klaus is my father’s age but I always need to step on the gas so he doesn’t make me look old!”

Maybe this is the secret behind the Aston Martin’s very respectable pace in the last two, four-hour endurance races on the ‘Ring? Certainly, the car seemed perfectly at home on the twisty, bumpy German track. Ludwig/Bert were in third place when they had to park the DBRS9, while Lechner/Fässler managed second place, their best lap times only some two seconds off the fastest race laps. Not bad for a car with precious few racing miles on the clock.

So what else lies ahead in 2007 for Robert Lechner? “I will concentrate on FIA GT, with Jetalliance Racing; I am very glad this drive came together! Also I would like to do the Mil Milhas, the 1000 mile race at Interlagos, later in the season; I am working on that.”

One subject that inevitably is brought up in any conversation with Robert Lechner is his brother. Robert and Walter Lechner were scheduled to share a car in FIA GT in 2005 when, just before the start of the season, Walter was diagnosed with leukaemia. Since that time, one side of Robert’s helmet has been painted in Walter’s colours. Will the two brothers race together again? Robert’s answer is quick and clear.

“Definitely! Walter is doing fine; we run a company together so we meet every day. We aren’t working on anything in particular right now but it’s only a matter of time!” – First of all, though, Robert Lechner is off to the Nürburgring for the 24 Hours on June 9/10.