About the series
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Munich. Curtain up for the second half of the Prototype Cup Germany season. The racing series for LMP3 cars organised by the ADAC and Creventic will be celebrating the fourth of six season stops this weekend at the Hockenheimring as part of the ADAC Racing Weekend. Full action is guaranteed. Instead of two, three races will be held at the Motodrom in Baden. This is not the only reason why the race weekend can set a decisive course in the title fight. Guest entrants will also be looking to challenge the established teams in the spectacular racing series. All Prototype Cup Germany races are available as a free live stream on the ADAC Motorsport channel youtube.com/adacmotorsports.
The Ligier duo Danny Soufi (21/USA) and Torsten Kratz (53/Mönchengladbach, both Konrad Motorsport) are travelling to Hockenheim as championship leaders. The two local heroes Valentino Catalano (18/Westheim) and Markus Pommer (33/Untereisesheim, both Gebhardt Motorsport) in the Duqueine D08 are close behind in second place. "Of course, we want to close the gap to the top of the standings at Hockenheim and even take the lead if possible. The best way to do that is with race wins," says ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Catalano, who is highly motivated. "The field is close together. In that respect, it will be an interesting weekend. The layout of the Hockenheimring has two characteristics: a fast part with the long Parabolika and a more technical part in the Motodrom. As a driver, you have to work hard there. The race weekend is very special for me as I live close to the circuit. So there will be a lot of supporters there to cheer me on."
Third-placed Duqueine brand colleagues Julien Apothéloz (23/CHE) and Riccardo Leone Cirelli (16/ITA, both BWT Mücke Motorsport) are also promising contenders in the title race. "The season is now entering the decisive phase. It's important not to make any mistakes and to score plenty of points. Hockenheim is particularly important, as we have three races there. I know the track very well and I'm confident," says Apothéloz, for whom the circuit in North Baden is also his home track. "For me as a Swiss, Hockenheim is the closest race track. I like the layout. There is always great racing there because of the many overtaking opportunities. We have the potential to compete for victories. BWT Mücke Motorsport has a strong line-up and I get on well with my team-mate. We are optimistic going into the race."
Sven Barth (43/Eberbach), who shares a Ginetta G61-LT-P3 with Michael Herich (47/Brühl, both Momo Gebhardt Racing), also has a short journey. "I'm really looking forward to the Hockenheimring. I've already clocked up countless kilometres there and know the track like the back of my hand. With our Ginetta, we will be able to show off in corners like the Nordkurve or the entrance to the Motodrom, where aerodynamic downforce is required," explains Barth. "This year, we want to finish on the overall podium at least once again. I have already collected many trophies in motorsport. But I'm still missing a trophy from the Prototype Cup Germany. However, the competition in the series is strong - and you have to bear in mind that my team-mate and I are not full professionals, but sit at our desks during the week. However, the Ginetta suits my driving style very well and still has a lot of potential. We want to utilise that at Hockenheim."
Overall, the field at Hockenheim is quite broad and offers a lot of variety. MRS GT-Racing, the Frikadelli Racing Team and AF2 Motorsport complete the Ligier faction. The second Duqueine from Gebhardt Motorsport and their brand colleagues Mühlner Motorsport will also be in action in North Baden. DataLab by Rinaldi Racing will make a guest appearance, fielding a Duqueine for the Brazilian Suellio Almeida and the German Luca Link.
