Hi everybody
Finally I found some time to write about our adventures at the Nürburgring for round 5 of the International Drift Series.
Round 5 was eagerly awaited, especially from me. At round 4 I sucked big time and wanted to get the FAIL curse off me. If you do not remember, then check this post.
This round was held during the visit of the DTM at the Ring and the IDS had the Mühlenbacherschleife once again. Since we know this track quite well and lots of work on the table Alain and me skipped practice on Friday and arrived there on Friday evening. Andrew had already ripped the track allday long.
As I arrived the track layout looked awkward and I realized they changed it up. DTM had claimed some of the track and therefore IDS had to setup something new. This meant we had to practice hard on Saturday to get the lines right, especially since most of the drivers on Friday said it was not really easy.
IDS rd 5 2011 new course tutorial from Andrew Hirschy on Vimeo.
So Saturday morning we started our practice.
Andrew briefed us on what we should look out for and Alain and me started with chasing him and other drivers. As I realized quite fast this layout asked for a lot of speed to get it right. But since we have balls big as basketballs this was not a problem for us.
Even the ancient drifter needed to have big balls
So after some time on the track I started to feel quite comfortable and took it easy on the tires. Andrew and Alain kept searching for the right lines and I tried to advise.
We also sorted out some minor issues on the cars and kept them in good shape. Only Alain once again had some bigger problems with steering and engine power. Both were not working up to standard and it was really hard for him. These are moments where I really feel bad for him. He is such a talented driver with big potential. Unfortunately he gets hold back by technical problems all the time.
Alain not liking his car, especially if he has to wash it
Later on Saturday qualification started and we were in good hopes to get it going.
We all waited a bit and got in line relatively late. I got first and put in 3 solid runs.
After that I went straight to the judging tower to see how Alain and Andrew will get judged. Since we have some walkie talkies now, I could talk to them straight away and tried to give them some tips after each run.
Andrew and Alain both scored well. Andrew got 80 points, Alain 87 and me 90.
That put us in good position for the top 16 Battles coming up next day.
Nice drift trains of up to seven cars in the practice sessions
That evening we went out to have a nice dinner with the whole crew. This is something I always enjoy after a hard day of driving. I think this is one of the best part of such weekends. Hanging out with your friends and having a good time. „No homo“ but I love you all guys. 🙂
So Sunday was game day.
We got up early (which is one of the bad points of such weekends), had breakfast and got to the track.
Quickly we got the cars ready and back on the track for some last practice. I was scoping out my first battle opponent. He looked rather slow and was not connecting the track properly. So my tactic was to take off in my lead run and leave some space in the chase run.
After coming back to the pits during practice Alain was once again working on his car. As it turned out his steering was very odd. We could not locate the problem and Alain decided not to drive since it was just too scary. And believe me if Alain says this, it really must be like trying to grab the devil himself on his horns.
This was a sad moment since it might have been an era come to an end. More on that in another post.
So Alain did the only right thing, he got his Lexus ready as a support car. They put up two of our beach flags so our entrance for the battles was as epic as possible. We also threw in some extra tires, tools and drinks.
Then the opening ceremony started and we had a major entrance. The Lex was riding at slow speed and Andrew and me did donuts around it. Rene from MPS was taking car of some background smoke with his Skyline (the smoke must have been so thick that the rear bumper fell off).
So up at the starting line we set everything up and parked the car for a minute.
I talked to Andrew about his tactics and we got into the zone for the battles.
Then it was my turn. I started my lead run and just took off. It was a solid run, not too crazy but I knew I had a good margin on my opponent. So then it was time for my chase run and the memory of Lausitz was iminent. But finally I could hold my self back and was letting my opponent get some good distance. I closed in in the final turn and got the victory. NICE.
The FAIL was not with me no more.
Andrew was up against Joe from the driftbrothers. Unfortunately Joe got some good instructions from Faruk the judge just prior to the battles and that was not good for Andrew. He could not keep up and lost the battle.
Then it was time for the top 8 battle. I was up against Alex Gräff in his BMW e92 monster. He beat me in Hockenheim for round 1 due to technical problems and I needed revenge. So back into the zone.
Alex was the leader in the first run. I left some space since I knew I was one of the fastest in the downhill section. I followed and closed the gap towards the end. Was a solid run with a mistake from Alex and me having to straighten real quick due to this. 5:5 it was.
This was ok, since I knew I would do better on my lead run.
So off we took and I took no prisoners. I came in as fast as always and Alex spun. So I was on to the top 4. SWEET.
Here I met Micha Scherr from the Nissan team and his mighty Z32. He was killing it all weekend long and I knew this will be tuff. So I was like fuck it, let’s have some fun.
Micha was leading and I was chasing. I put in a solid run, nothing major though.
Then I was leader and took off. Micha was right there and pushed. I tried to go as always and kept it fast.
Then it happened again, Micha spun.
This was unbelievable, I went into the finals for the first time.
CRAZY.
In hindsight I think my speed and breaking points pushed the competition into those mistakes but maybe it was just luck. Who knows.
So then it was the final.
My battle partner was a 2.10m tall viking from the north called Niels Becker and his JZX90 Falken sponsored car. I heard some stories about him and saw videos of his driving. We talked prior to the battle and said let’s just have fun.
So then we took off, him leading me chasing.
I got really close on the final corner and almost crashed with him in his transition.
My lead run I got some distance but had a shallow line in the end.
One more time was called.
I was like ok, I will get you now.
So he was leading again and I stepped it up a bit. Got closer on him.
Then my lead run and I did as always.
This time I though I had him, since my feeling told me this was better then the first battle.
Again one more time was called.
My nerves were getting stretched but I had it in check.
So he lead again and prior to the last corner I did a major mistake.
I knew this was bad and the score showed it later on, 8:2.
Then he called 5 minutes to refuel.
He stepped up to my car and said what was going on. I told him I fucked up and he was like: „no worries, I will fuck up too and we go again.“ I had to smile and thought I hope so, too much fun to stop.
So then I was leading and he stopped drifting. He had some problems with the engine. So it was a 10:0 for me.
Holy shit I won.
I could not believe this, I was in shock.
All drivers and our superb support vehicle returning after the battles
I got back to the starting line and my people were already standing and applauding. Crazy stuff.
Immediately we all had to drive down to the judges stand for the final ceremony of the day.
We got there and did some burnouts with what was left of the tires.
After getting out of the car everybody came to congratulate and joy was flushing through my veins.
We got the trophies and the champaign bottles. Unfortunately me as a winner got the bottle as last and Niels and Micha already sprayed champaign straight into my eyes and all over me. But I got some revenge and since I won I really did not care.
So this weekend brought the first victory to the Speed Industries drift team and me in drifting. Crazy stuff.
Thanks for everybody who supported me over the years, helped at races and believed in me. I really could not have done it without you.
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Go team go!
And to finish off, my trusted weapon of choice