From 24.-26.07.2020, as part of the FIA CEZ, the Automotodrom Grobnik racing circuit in Croatia was the stage for the guest race of the Pfister-Racing Touring Car Challenge (PRTC). The circuit, which is situated close to the port city of Rijeka in the north western part of Croatia, offers the racing drivers a challenging and varied 4.168 kilometer drive. The “high speed sections” in particular, with their height variations and curve combinations, offer the drivers plenty of fun. It goes without saying that one or two took the opportunity to make a visit to the nearby Mediterranean and soak up the atmosphere.
Once again, the weather conditions had a role to play on the racing weekend. While the teams and rivers were welcomed on the Friday with a pleasantly warm temperature of 25 degrees, the clouds gathered over the racing circuit on Friday night, with the ensuing storm catering for wet driving conditions on the Saturday morning.
This time in the Pfister-Racing Touring Car Challenge (PRTC), 9 racing drivers went into battle with CHEVROLET Cruze 1.8 LT V3 Eurocup racing cars. The motto of the racing series, “real cars, real racing”, was plain to see on the racing circuit, with superb touring car action.
In the first qualifying session to determine the starting grid, Sven Grossman secured his first pole position with the fastest lap time under driving conditions that were still slippery and wet, ahead of Björn Dietrich and Dennis Bröker (GER). Young driver Sandro Ritz (GER) secured an excellent fourth place on the starting grid ahead of Roman Holzner (GER).
After the touring cars had taken their positions on the starting grid, everyone was eagerly waiting for the lights to go out and for the standing Grand-Prix start. As the race got underway, Dietrich managed to snatch the lead, pulling clear of Grossmann and Holzner in the first lap of the race. Behind them saw a battle for supremacy between Roman Holzner, Sandro Ritz and Dennis Bröker, which Aaron Morf (GER) used to his advantage, making his way into third place with an excellent maneuver.
At the front of the pack, Grossmann seemed to stick like a limpet to the rear fender of Dietrich, putting him under intense pressure lap after lap in the battle to come first. With his skillful positioning, however, Dietrich was initially able to keep him at bay.
Further down the field, Dennis Bröker managed to pull off a great performance, making his way towards the front. Sandro Ritz, meanwhile, was forced to retire early after hitting the gravel bed, and had to be content with being one point ahead of Patrick Huber (GER).
As the race drew to a close, the asphalt on the Croatian race track had more drama in store, however. Grossmann continued to put Dietrich under pressure, asking everything of the leader to maintain his pole position. While Dietrich was forced to defend himself against a continued assault, in the last lap of the race, disaster struck, with damage to the drive shaft of his CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup 1.8 LT V3 racing car. He limped over the finishing line in a wounded vehicle in 7th place.
Sven Grossmann, meanwhile, celebrated his first touring car victory, which he had certainly earned. Dennis Bröker and Aaron Morf completed the winners’ podium, finishing ahead of Roman Holzner, Mathias Gaiser (GER) and Dirk Ehlebracht (GER).
In the second qualifying session to determine the starting grid for the Sunday’s race, the physical fitness of the racers was also put to the test, as dry and hot weather conditions had returned to the Automotodrom Grobnik.
Once again, it was Sven Grossmann who secured the fastest lap time on the asphalt, booking his second pole position ahead of Björn Dietrich and Roman Holzner. Yet the young driver, who is half German, half French, was forced to experience a déjà-vu of Saturday’s action: Just like Saturday, Björn Dietrich grabbed pole position from him shortly after the race got underway. Behind them, Aaron Morf also got off to a strong start, securing third place.
From position 6 on the starting grid, Dennis Bröker found himself playing catch up, and battled with Roman Holzner for position. In the heat of the battle, however, he pushed his racing car beyond its limits and damaged his front and rear bumpers, which slowed him down.
At the front of the pack, leading driver Dietrich once again had a good view of the blue and white racing car of Grossmann in his rear view mirrors. A braking mistake on the first curve by Grossmann relieved the pressure on Björn Dietrich, however, who subsequently left nothing to chance and secured his second win of the season, finishing in front of Grossmann.
As the race ended, Dennis Bröker secured 4th position behind Aaron Morf. Roman Holzner, Mathias Gaiser and Dirk Ehlebracht again had good races, crossing the finishing line on positions 5 to 7. Sandro Ritz, who is just 16 years old, took eighth place ahead of Patrick Huber.