The Frikadelli Racing Team will join the grid for the Prototype Cup Germany finale at the Nürburgring in mid-October; the Ligier JS P320 will be driven by Klaus Abbelen (63/Barweiler) and Felipe Laser (34/Leipzig). Both had already competed at the Nürburgring last year and were able to shine with a third place.

"Our appearance in the Prototype Cup Germany 2022 was a lot of fun for all of us and that's why we're coming back now. We are also currently considering expanding our portfolio in 2024 and possibly contesting the Prototype Cup Germany in addition to the Michelin Le Mans Cup. Our start at the Nürburgring is therefore also a small test for this," says Klaus Abbelen, team owner and driver in one. At the moment, Abbelen and his team mate Felipe Laser are competing in the Michelin Le Mans Cup, which regularly features 30 or more LMP3 cars. The two Germans captured eighth place at the season opener in Barcelona, their only top ten finish to date. In the overall standings, they are in 18th position with one race to go.

The 63-year-old entrepreneur Abbelen already raced motorbikes in the 1980s, but then took a break for professional reasons. In 1989 he returned to motorsport, but this time it was to be machines with four wheels. In 2005 he founded his own Frikadelli Racing Team. For many years now, the Nürburgring has been his home track - not only because he and his Frikadelli Racing team are based in Barweiler not far from the traditional track, but also because Abbelen himself completed countless races there as a driver. "I really enjoy being at the Nürburgring and I think it's also the track where I can deliver my best performances." And much like the Eifel circuit, he also enjoys the LMP3 racers. "The cars are not easy to set up and it's a real challenge for the drivers to fully utilise the aero potential of the LMP3. You do need a fair amount of courage in fast corners. But I like this challenge."

Abbelen shares the car with Felipe Laser. The 34-year-old celebrated one of his greatest successes at this year's 24 Hours of Nürburgring when he triumphed at the wheel of a Ferrari 296 GT3 entered by Frikadelli Racing together with Earl Bamber, David Pittard and Nicky Catsburg. "Felipe sits in race cars a lot as a racing driver and as a Porsche instructor, so he has a lot of experience. And he has a very good handle on the LMP3, especially in wet conditions. We also get on very well as people."

And what are the goals of Klaus Abbelen, who was able to clinch a podium finish in the same constellation and at the same venue a year ago? "We first have to get used to the conditions in this year's Prototype Cup Germany, which the established racing teams have already done. We certainly have a small disadvantage there. We want to try to get through the races without making any mistakes and of course we will do our best. It would be great if we could finish among the top three teams again, which I think we can do.