LMS: Charouz again best petrol car, fifth overall - (17.08.2008)

The Aston Martin powered prototype of the Charouz Racing System team scored 5th pace at 1000 Nürburgring race. Drivers Jan Charouz and Stefan Mücke were also clearly the best of the petrol powered cars. First four places were swept by the works cars with powerful turbodiesel engines. Today’s race brought third point scoring finish for the Czech team, which is also the second best.

Both drivers and team improved the position thanks to four points from today’s race. They are fifth, just behind works Peugeot and Audi squads.

“We are happy because we can not beat works turbodiesels under normal circumstances. We are fighting in our own petrol championshipwhich we won today as we did at Barcelona in the spring,” said Antonin Charouz, Team Principal. “The qualifying was great, we were ahead of both Audis. We got many offers this weekend on both team and driver sides, so we are also happy in this area.”

His son and team driver Jan had several scares during the race, especially when he spun in a group of cars before the Michelin corner. “The car spun wildly on the dirt which other car left on the track. Fortunately I kept the car together and lost only two seconds,” said 21 years old pilot. “I was hit by a GT2 car later but fortunately our car withstood it.”

Twenty six years old Berliner Stefan Mücke was really looking forward to his home race. “I am happy that many fans came,” said Stefan. “We were the best petrol car in the race and got four points, so I am definitely happy. I was also pleased that our lap times were comparable with works Audis but turbodiesels have an advantage now and we can not do anything with it under current rules.”

While Jan was an innocent victim of a contact with a smallest GT car, Stefan got a hit from behind from one of the prototypes. “There were yellows, I slowed down and suddenly felt an impact. Fortunately we were able to continue but we lost a bit of time,” added the German driver.

“We fulfilled our aim to be the best petrol car, so we are happy. Given the difference between petrol engines and turbodiesels is very difficult to fight with both factory teams using diesel. We had few small incidents in the race which were not our fault but the car fortunately held together and we scored more points,” said George Howard-Chappell, Technical Director Aston Martin Racing.

Results
1000 km Nürburgring HERE

Standings
Drivers HERE
Teams HERE
Manufacturer HERE

Photo gallery - for high-res just click on thumbnails
Photo: BPA/Petr Frýba