In the lead up to the CORE VLN's and N24, we will be sitting down with the drivers of the first Pre-VLN podium and asking them a range of pressing questions from how they rate their performance in the Pre-VLN to how they see it affecting their build up to the daunting challenge that awaits them in a matter of months, the Nurburgring 24 Hours. In the second installment of these Q&A's, we are sitting down with Green Hell Heathen's @ItzRacing to reflect on the race that was, and how he hopes to perform down the line.
Interviewer: "You finished 2nd in the Pre-VLN race, behind rcb929, who was also in the BMW Z4 GT3, by 2 minutes and 53 seconds, what does that result mean to you, and how will it affect how you approach future VLN's, if it all?"
ItzRacing: "For me, the result is defintely a positive one, I have started the journey on a positive note with a solid podium placing and also came away with some solid running time in wet weather conditions. As for my approach, the result proved that my approach will yield solid race results if it is executed properly. My focus was on minimizing my own mistakes and also avoiding lengthy battles with other drivers that could result in a costly incidents. By running my own race I was able to get into my own rhythm and through pitstop cycles I was come out in a good position in the end".
Interviewer: "The Nurburgring is world renowned for being absolutely brutal. The combined challenge of dealing with unique corners, undulations and a narrow track with steel barriers lined around the circuit is definitely not one for the faint hearted, so with that in mind, is there a part of the track that you just back off the smallest of bits, as you feel it's incredibly easy to make a mistake there?"
ItzRacing: "I would say that Flugplatz is the one corner that is very easy to make a mistake on. On a good day you can easily take the corner flat out, but if you don't get it right it will spit you out the other side in a very bad way. During the racing conditions I usually find myself having a very minor safety lift, so I know for sure that i'll come out on the other side in one piece. The other place is the triple apex miss-hit-miss, it was a corner that I crashed on in my final stint during last years N24, that set off a chain of events that nearly cost Team GHH the win".
Interviewer: "Now, a complete reverse of the previous question, despite the track being one that many fear, many relish the challenge of driving it, and each person has a specific part of the track they enjoy pushing the limit on, what is your favourite part of the track?"
ItzRacing: "Basically from the first Karussel to the finish line is a really enjoyable section that I love to push the limit on. To begin with the track snakes left and right with plenty of rewarding corners if you take them on the limit. Then from Pflanzgarten to Schwalbenschanz is a flat out roller coaster ride that you ride on the limit. Then the final few corners after the Dottinger are a thrill if you get them right!"
Interviewer: "With the VLN's just weeks away, what are your aspirations for them, and just a bit further down the track, what is your target for the N24?"
ItzRacing: "For the VLN's the plan will be to run as many laps as possible and get myself familiar with whichever car we decide to race in the Nurburgring 24 Hour. The track being a very long one, it is a circuit that you can always find improvements on and running laps is the only way you can continue to learn and improve. Obviously I would like to finish as far up the order as I possibly can, but I also understand that even the VLN races are still a team game and a solid, clean race will go a long way to helping Team GHH up the starting order. For the N24, Team GHH will enter the race as defending champions, so there is some pressure to repeat our performance. The aim will be to do that, but we know that every team in the field has a lot of great drivers that will be hard to beat, and only by putting in clean, fast and trouble free laps, will we be able to put ourselves in a position to contend for the race win".
Interviewer: "Thank you for your time, I and everyone in CORE appreciate you sitting down and taking the time to answer the questions. We all look forward to seeing how you and your team perform in the upcoming VLN's. Best of luck".
ItzRacing: "Thank you very much".
Apart from that everyone drove cleanly and respectfully which was great to see. I hope to see you all on track soon for the VLN"s. 👍
