Solid start to the season for W&S Motorsport at the GTC Race in Oschersleben

Tim Horrell in the PARAVAN Porsche #30, which is equipped with a throttle ring installed on the steering wheel and a manually operated brake lever, completed the one-hour GT60 race on Saturday as a single entrant for the first time and performed well, finishing fifth in the GT4 class. On Sunday in the two 30-minute sprint races, the US American started from fourth place in both races and finished fourth in class and winner of the Trophy championship. 

For Marko Elser and Nico Gründel in the sister car #31, it was the first race weekend in GT4 cars and the two drivers were able to continuously improve. They finished the GT60 race in seventh position and in the two sprint races they finished fifth and seventh.

Moritz Berrenberg in the #32 also competed as a single entrant and completed his first race in the GTC Race. He began by familiarising himself with his car and gradually made his way up the field. He finished sixth in class in the first two races and fifth in the second sprint race. In the Trophy classification, he finished second in both races.

Roland and Luca Arnold in the #99 Mercedes-AMG GT3 achieved a joint podium finish in the GT60 race as a father-son team with a strong performance and second place, because at the Arnolds, racing is a family affair alongside technology development. Father Roland laid a good foundation with third place on the grid in qualifying and son Luca was able to take the first podium finish of the weekend. Luca Arnold contested the two sprint races and started from second position on both occasions. He set the fastest lap times in the field and finished second in both races. 

Quotes after the race

Patrick Wagner, Team Principal W&S Motorsport: "All in all, the weekend in Oschersleben went well. Tim drove well and only just missed out on the podium. I think he will be at the front next time at the Nürburgring, as Oschersleben is very difficult for him to drive. For Marko, Nico and Moritz, it was their first race in GT4 and they first had to adjust to the conditions. They did a good job and were able to steadily improve over the course of the sessions. We can build on this in the next races and certainly get a little further up the field. Roland and Luca also did a good job and deservedly finished on the podium three times. We are looking forward to the next race weekend at the Nürburgring and want to achieve good results there." 

Tim Horrell, Driver #30: "It was a true team effort this weekend. Big thanks to everyone on the team who repaired my car so I was able to race. Improvement is needed on my side but I’m feeling confident in the coming rounds going to more friendlier tracks."

Marko Elser, Driver #31: "The first race weekend of the GTC Race season is in the books. For me, the first free practice session was also my first contact with a GT4 racing car. I was immediately able to hold my own in the front midfield during practice and GT60 qualifying and keep up with far more experienced drivers. Due to unfortunate mishaps in qualifying for the GT Sprint race and in the GT60 race, we unfortunately didn't finish in the top positions in the races. I am really looking forward to starting the second race weekend of the season at the Nürburgring with more experience." 

Roland Arnold, Driver #99 and Managing Director of PARAVAN GmbH: "It was a successful start to the season. Three podiums, what more could you wish for. Luca has once again shown impressive development this weekend. Tim was also extremely successful again, congratulations on the victories in the Trophy classification. His successes clearly show that a handicap does not have to be a knock-out criterion in motorsport. Many thanks to the entire team." 

Luca Arnold, Driver #99: "That was a perfect opening act, even if more might have been possible at one point or another. I learnt a lot again, and it is always something very special to share the cockpit with your father. We are a perfect and successful father-son team. Thanks to everyone for a successful weekend."