Last Saturday, W&S Motorsport started the second round of the season of the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS) and celebrated class victory in Cup3 of the Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring (PETN) as well as the fastest race lap of the AVIA racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS #960. The sister car, the CMS Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS #962, achieved another podium finish in Cup3 with third place. The AM-Cup3 Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS #961 in Vöhringer design took the chequered flag in tenth place. The #992 AVIA racing Porsche 3 GT120 Cup crashed in the first hour of racing.

In rainy Eifel weather, the team of Patrick Wagner and Daniel Schellhaas began the morning qualifying over 90 minutes. The wet and dirty Nordschleife caused numerous incidents and so it was difficult to drive a fast lap. In the end, the AVIA racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup #120, driven by Paul Harkema, Tim Scheerbarth and David Jahn, qualified for fifth place on the grid in the PETN Cup2.

In Cup3, Marius Rauer, Moritz Oberheim and Finn Zulauf started the four-hour race from second place with the AVIA racing Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS #960. Directly behind them on the grid in fourth place, the CMS Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS #962 with drivers Philip Miemois, Mauro Calamia and Niclas Wiedmann at the wheel took the chase through the Green Hell. The three AM drivers René Höber, Sébastien Carcone and Heinz Dolfen in the Vöhringer Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 CS #961 started from eleventh place.

Finn Zulauf took over the start in the #4 AVIA racing Porsche Cayman GT960 and was able to take the lead of the group before the first corner, but was then hit by an opponent at the rear and spun. Thus, the 18-year-old lined up at the back of the field, began a hunt for positions and was able to fight his way back into the top 7. Marius Rauer took the wheel and continued to gain positions. Moritz Oberheim then provided excitement until the last second in a thrilling duel on the last lap for the lead, which he won confidently and was able to cross the finish line as the winner. The team was also able to score an extra point in the PETN for the fastest race lap. AVIA W&S Motorsport driver Rauer was particularly pleased with his first race victory of his motorsport career.

The Finn Miemois was able to take the lead in Cup3 after the start turmoil, but had to head for the pits for an emergency repair of the front after a contact and lost two minutes. Undeterred, Miemois skilfully and quickly made up positions again and brought the #962 back to the top of its class. Wiedmann then climbed into the #4 CMS Porsche Cayman GT962 and also kept up in the battle for the lead. In the final phase, Calamia took over the cockpit and showed his experience as reigning champion of the Cup3. The outstanding team and driver performance was rewarded with third place.

In the middle of the field of the second starting group, starting driver Höber with the Vöhringer Porsche Cayman GT4 #961 stayed out of all skirmishes and gained places. Carcone took over the car and continued the consistent performances of his colleague. Dolfen then brought the GT4 car home in tenth place in Cup3.

After winning the season opener and a promising fifth place on the grid, Paul Harkema started the race confidently. Unfortunately, the AVIA racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 992 #120 crashed shortly before the end of the first hour of racing. Harkema, who was on slick tyres, and other race participants were surprised by sudden heavy rain in the Wippermann section.

On 15 April 2023, W&S Motorsport will compete in the third round of the NLS. Then the racing team from Ofterdingen will again fight for further points in the Porsche Endurance Trophy Nürburgring, when there will again be exciting motorsport over four hours.

Quotes after the race

Daniel Schellhaas, Team Principal W&S Motorsport: "As in the first race, we also clinched a victory in the NLS2. This time in the Cup3. In addition, there is another podium finish in the class, which makes me particularly happy after the bad luck at the start. Thanks to the good strategy and incredibly good performances of the three drivers of the CMS Porsche Cayman GT4, this is a strong result despite the damage. The trio of the AVIA Porsche Cayman GT4 quickly fought back after the spin and delivered a mega-strong race. Moritz offered a thrilling showdown, which we were able to win and secured our first victory with the Porsche Cayman GT4 in the PETN. Our three gentlemen drove a solid race. The accident of Cup2 in the rain unfortunately clouds the overall result somewhat. The results today prove that we had done our homework after the first run. A big thank you goes to our team and all the drivers for their strong work throughout the weekend. We come to the third race of the year confident and confident."

Marius Rauer, Driver #960: "Unbelievable, we achieved the first Cup3 victory! I am very happy! For me, it's the first race win ever, which of course makes it even better. Finn made a great start and was able to bring himself back into the race from the very back. I also made up places before Moritz drove a really brilliant finish. We are also happy about the extra point for the fastest lap, as it can help decide the championship at the end of the season. We'll try again in two weeks!"

Niclas Wiedmann, driver #962: "The second round of the NLS is over. It was a miracle that we were able to finish the race. After a great start from Philip, we were able to finish first, but after a contact with a competitor, our front bumper was damaged. Therefore, we had to make an early pit stop for repairs, which cost us time. With a strong pace from Philip, we were able to get back to fourth place quite quickly. After a great last stint by Mauro, we crossed the finish line in a very good third place. We definitely had the pace to win the race, but luck wasn't on our side. We are looking forward to the next race and are definitely aiming for victory. Of course, my congratulations go to our team-mates Finn, Marius and Moritz, who were able to clinch the class victory. I would like to thank the team for a smooth process and another successful weekend."

René Höber, Driver #961: "An exciting weekend has come to an end. It was a lot of fun with Heinz and Sébastien, even if the conditions were not easy. The team did a great job as usual and my two colleagues were also doing well. We can be satisfied with tenth place in such a fiercely contested cup."

Paul Harkema, Driver #120: "The race started promisingly. From fifth place, I was at the front until the accident. I was on slicks at the end of my stint when a downpour knocked me and other cars out of the race. I feel sorry for the team and my two cockpit colleagues. We will attack again in race three!"