GT-MES IS BACK!
After epic Season 10 and Finale in Le Mans, we have taken couple week break.
But Season 11 is now here, many new drivers, but also many returning names. Small rule changes, new calendar.
Nurburgring remains as season opener, for now 11th time. Many drivers have made their debut in here in Germany, for some it has been their first taste of league-racing. As season opener, it is also very popular preseason test-track, testing their new cars, and then seeing how they rank up against others in first race of the season. But often that does not tell full picture. More and more champions do not win in the Round 1. Season is long, ballast and championship system give everybody chance to bounce back later in the season.
Drivers are still regulated to use medium-compound during the race, but tyre wear should be reduced. Fuel instead will play bigger part this season, giving smarter drivers chance to play around in strategy. Performance between classes now bigger than before, and new BoP should even the playing field even more.
Gr2
jonimestari91 finally made it happen, after several seasons, he secured his first championship last season in Le Mans, beating his teammate
sota59 by just one point. But drama started right after the season had finished, news broke out that pair had swapped to rival
Nissan. sota59 commented chance:
''It was not what we planned for, but we were quite open to prove ourselfs in different car. It is quite a change, lot to learn, but season will be interesting''. 5-time champion sota59 has won in Germany twice before, but not since Season 4, and has recently been outmatched by his teammate in opening round. jonimestari91 has won here once in the past, and kicked off his title run last season with a podium.
''Last season objective was to start the season on podium, 3-4 was positive start, and we are looking for the same. New car is big wild card, we might be off the pace, but experience hopefully gets atleast one of us in to top 3'' - teamboss sota59. Finnish-pair also secured last season their 3rd Manufacturers-title together, and they hope to bring their new team Nissan, its first Manufacturers-title.
After winning Gr2-title in his debut season,
G4 Rotary came short defending it. After the season he pushed for the move for
Honda, that has won 9-drivers titles and 6-manufacturers titles, he looks to return winning ways. G4 Rotary said:
''First season not in a Nissan, the car feels very different and I don't think we have quite found the sweet spot for setup yet. The GTR was easier to be consistent with but I think the NSX has more potential, and we will unlock that potential as the season develops. It will be interesting to see how the new Lexus-guys deal with strategy and lapping Gr3-cars. I have a feeling that no race will be easy.'' Danish
de-luck4 joins him as teammate, after doing couple races together last season. He lacks experience compered to favorites, but is hardworker, that will surely be key for him and his team. He said that his goals for the season are to get used to Gr2-cars, and get clean races under him, but also help his teammate in title fight.''
Lexus has proven to be good car recent seasons, and
Spookyluki and
Hatton93 look for good debut season. They are up against it, facing 3 drivers that have won last 5 Gr2-titles. Both drivers are looking for good battles in their first season in multi-class racing, consistency and clean races should get them results as season goes on. And rookies could always bee dark horses already in Round 1...
Gr3
Audi was the team to beat last season in Gr3, and it was
Ryslan Zharinov that won the drivers title. Effort from
Nils almost helped team to reach Manufacturers-title as well, but came short. German-manufacturer is keeping the line-up same, making them favorites in Gr3 once again. 3-time champion Nils commented his chances:
''I'm really hoping to get some Podiums throughout the season and consistent results for the team. I don't expect any wins but a very, very close grid with a lot of racing everywhere you look!'' Reminder that he did not expect wins last season either, but he ended up starting the season with his 5th home win, when Ryslan Zharinov ran out of the fuel couple corners to go.
''The participants are strong and I will try to give them a fight this Saturday!'' said the defending champion.
After just coming short of the title,
RLH_Wesley99 was selected driver of the season. 6-race long podium streak, 3 of them wins, including the masterclass in wet Spa. He has made move to
Mazda in the offseason, returning manufacturer to GT-MES.
''I'm hoping to have a good season like last season again and hope to clinch the title in this season''. Dutchman starts the season as one of the biggest favorites, but dont count out his teammate
osully14, driver that also won race last season.
''Hope to keep more consistent this season. Mazda feels a very good car so want to capitalise on the chances I may have. Looking forward to the new season''. Hopefully he does not have technical issues that he suffered last season.
Ferrari also returning the series, after one season away. They make good signing with
GTS_BOCA_SAFFA, driver that won 2 races last season in Gr2, including one in Nurburgring. He has complained his new car being unstable, but if he can overcome it, he should be one of the favorites. He is joined in the team by
GTO250GTO from Germany, will be interesting to see what he is able to do.
Golden Bear Motorsports has been represented by
amuda74 last couple seasons, now with teamboss
John Wanderin, American team is ready to challenge in
BMW. amuda74 has time to time shown flashes of his speed, but inconsistency has kept him away from any major results.
''I’m optimistic going in to round 1; the car feels much better than last season, but we struggle a lot with front tire wear so I guess we’ll have to see how the others are managing it''. He will keep to improve, and you can expect him to challenge for podiums in some races this season. John Wanderin has competed in other SRF-leagues in the past, look out for him aswell.
Porsche has in past 4 season won 12 races, their driver has finished 3 times runner up in championship, and they have secured 2 Manufacturers-titles. They are still looking to win their first drivers title since Season 2, and Nukeshot Motorsport might deliver that.
y_bearr_ and
NS_Mika_46 might be making their GT-MES debut, but are no rookies in the racing business.
''I hope i can do well. I'm really rusty, as this is gonna be my first full season of racing since NES Season 5. I hope i can score some good points, and maybe with some luck a podium, I am mostly focusing on consistency and see where we can take it. and look where we are in the field Saturday''. y_bearr_ might be the most realistic driver in Round 1 to expect result from, as he has recently performed fell in ARS-championship,