VLN, Test Und Einstellfahrten – Report
Getting Ready For Another Great Season Most of the 2011 VLN teams took part in the six hours of testing available last Saturday, and for some of them it was their first chance of the season to test their machinery on the Nordschleife for the first time in 2011. Most eyes in the paddock were on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, of which there will be eight cars taking part in the VLN. On paper the best driver line-up of Chris Mamerow and Armin Hahne should make Mamerow-Racing the most potent Mercedes SLS AMG GT3. Black-Falcon will field three of the Benz’s with the car of Kenneth Heyer, Jan Seyffarth, Thomas Jäger, Ralf Schall and Jeroen Bleekemolen being the one that will have the best chance to fight for the overall win. Also fielding the new Merc will be Horn Motorsport, where Stephane Sarrazin and Sascha Bert will share driving duties with David Horn, as well as Rowe Racing and Race-and-Event. All teams reported no problems with their cars during the six hours of track time. Porsche is an ever-present in the VLN, with the marque already confirming the comeback of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid. Manthey-Racing will field no fewer than six cars. Marc Lieb did most of the test-work over the weekend in the green-yellow Porsche 911 GT3 R. “In the past couple of weeks I was either sitting on an airplane or sitting in a race car. But I am really enjoying being here at the Nordschleife. This year will be a tough one, with so many cars capable of winning.” BMW-Motorsport was once again represented by Schnitzer, which brought two brand-new BMW M3 GT2s to the Nürburgring in preparation for a title defence in the Nürburgring 24 Hours in three months time. Sharing driving duties were Dirk Adorf, Dirk Werner, Andy Priaulx, Jörg Müller, Uwe Alzen and Pedro Lamy. Schnitzer is planning on taking part in the first three VLN races. Back at the Ring was Audi Sport with an updated Audi R8 LMS. Mike Rockenfeller, Marco Werner and Frank Stippler pushed the car through the Green Hell, in preparation for a possible works assault on the VLN. Phoenix Racing will probably field two cars during all ten races this season. Last but not least was the P4/5 Competizione of the Scuderia Glickenhaus. Mika Salo, Nicola Larini, Luca Capellari and Fabrizio Giovanardi all took the wheel of the car, which N-Technology was testing for their assault on the Nürburgring 24. The team will field the car in the VLN season opener, this coming weekend, plus the 6-Hour race on May 14th. The team enjoyed a trouble-free run, giving all the drivers a chance to get themselves accustomed to the Nordschleife in their Ferrari. The VLN season opener is this coming Saturday. Sören Herweg | 
