Overall podium and early championship win for W&S Motorsport in the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie on a difficult weekend

Daniel Blickle, Tim Scheerbarth and David Jahn were among the fastest in qualifying and took pole position in Cup2 for the third time this season. From 14th place overall, the trio made up several positions at the start and were in the top 10. After a rain shower on the second lap, in which many cars crashed, the race was interrupted for around two hours and shortened to four hours. The AVIA racing Porsche #120 resumed the race from fifth place overall and first place in class and finished in the top three thanks to a good strategy and faultless performance. Blickle/Scheerbarth/Jahn secured the first overall podium in the NLS and another podium in Cup2 for the racing team from Ofterdingen.

The CMS Porsche Cayman #962 of Moritz Oberheim, Joshua Bednarski and Lucas Daugaard started from pole position in the Cup3 class and was the fastest car in qualifying for the fifth time this year. They maintained the lead in the race and took their fifth Cup3 victory of the season. This latest success saw them clinch the PETN Cup3 driver and team championship with just two races remaining. Oberheim/Bednarski/Daugaard continue to lead the overall NLS standings and have a 16-point advantage over their rivals. Daugaard also occupies first place in the Junior classification.

For Stephan Brodmerkel, Jürgen Vöhringer and Hendrik Still in the Massivhaus Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport #164, the day began promisingly with third place on the grid in the SP10 class. However, the race ended prematurely after an accident on the first lap. The driver remained unharmed.

Markus Lönnroth, Oliver Kunz and Stefan Bostandjiev lined up in the V5 class in the Porsche Cayman 981 2.7l #450 to collect more laps for their Nordschleife permit. They also took pole position in their class in qualifying and finished second.

The penultimate NLS race of the 2024 season will take place on 19 October.

Quotes after the race

Daniel Schellhaas, Team Principal W&S Motorsport: "It was the hardest race I have ever had to compete in. My thoughts after the accident in the paddock were far away from the sport and it was very difficult. As a family-based popular sports series, I would have preferred a different decision. Especially as the accident meant that not all teams were able to take part in the event! So, there was not much joy at the finish. It was certainly one of the greatest successes with an overall podium and winning the championship. Unfortunately, I cannot be happy at the moment and even a few days after the incident my joy is very limited. Me and the whole team wouldn't have raced that race! My thoughts are with the injured, especially with Team Smyrlis. We hope to receive positive news soon."

Daniel Blickle, Driver 120: "Of course, it's always something very special to be on the overall podium. Unfortunately, the whole thing was overshadowed by the numerous events on and, above all, off the track. Our thoughts were also on the podium with those affected and their families. In purely sporting terms, we once again put in a top performance. Despite all the turbulence, the team did its usual flawless job and we drivers did our bit. Unfortunately, it was 'only' enough for P2 in the super hard-fought Cup2 class. Everything is still possible in the fight for the championship, but we still have to improve a bit in the remaining two races. I would also like to congratulate Moritz, Josh and Lucas on winning the Cup3 championship and PETN Overall title ahead of time. To achieve this with two races to go is a mega strong performance by the drivers and once again underlines the extremely high and professional level at which the W&S Motorsport team works!"

Moritz Oberheim, Driver #962: "First of all, my sympathies go out to those involved in the accident on Friday. I wish everyone a speedy recovery! From a sporting point of view, things went perfectly for us right from the beginning. Qualifying was good and we were able to secure pole position. Joshua did a good job at the start and got the car through safely. Lucas also did a great job and we were able to take the win again. The season is going incredibly well for us and we even have the chance to win the NLS overall standings. We won the PETN and I am very happy! Many thanks to everyone and I hope it continues like this in the other races, it's just mega!"

Lucas Daugaard, Driver #962: "It is incredible! It is my first year with W&S Motorsport and it has been a fantastic season so far. Everyone has done a perfect job and not made any mistakes. I am very happy to be a part of the team and very happy to win the Cup3 championship early! We will continue to give everything and push, because we also want to win the remaining two races and the overall standings, where we are currently leading. There is still a lot to do and we will do our best to achieve our goals."

Joshua Bednarski, Driver #962: "In my first racing season at the Nürburgring, the dream came true with W&S Motorsport and my teammates Moritz and Lucas. The victory in the PETN Cup3 is the reflection of the perfect work of the team with the strategies, the preparation of the car but also the work on the data to improve our performance. Personally, I worked hard to get to this level, and it is a nice reward. We will continue with this same dynamic to ensure our first place in the overall ranking of the NLS to try to close this year 2024 perfectly."