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Round 6 was held at the Nürburgring GP circuit, specifically the endurance chicane variant. Early in the championship it was to be the Nordeschliefe, but after a vote to the drivers the majority wanted the GP circuit. Perhaps it was the lesser of 2 evils as this track breeds side to side action on many of the corners. Either way, any layout of the Nurburgring was going to be a challenge for the whole grid in these low aero tin top touring cars.
With Tom sitting out qualifying due to penalties, it was up to Ryan and Chris to see where they lined up for race 1. Ryan was able to pull out a 2:06.691 on his last lap to take 26th place on the grid, 7th in Am. Chris was able to produce a good lap to put himself right in the thick of the am field in 33rd overall, 14th in class.
Race 1 was a feisty affair. There was side by side action aplenty. Ryan found himself door handle to door handle with many drivers in the early stages. A failed attempt at a switch over into turn 2 by Jaroslaw Cebula gave Ryan some damage and dropped places but finished within the reverse grid bracket in 24th, a strong 8th in class. Tom was able to capitalise early on and gain many positions making smart progress through the field to finish 13th in class, 30th overall. Chris was having a quiet race going about his business making good gains until a slight slide into the penultimate chicane sent him on a trip through the grass. Nevertheless a good finish 14th in class and a 33rd overall.
Race 2 carried on where race 1 left off. Chris smartly stayed out of trouble kept his nose clean and brought home a solid 8th in class, 23rd overall. Same couldn't be said for Tom and Ryan. After more aggressive driving around him Ryan ended up making a mistake into the famous hairpin collecting 2 drivers but spinning himself around into the pack and picking up major damage that required a quick fix. Tom had to make a similar stop after a separate accident through no fault of his own at Bilstein corner. 38th and 40th respectively. Hopefully Race 3 would bring a calmer field.
In race 3 Chris did a phenomenal job of holding out and holding up almost half of the Am field for Ryan to chase down and overtake in a brilliant stroke of teamwork. Tom managed to progress to finish just behind Chris. Chris held out as long as he could until a swiping touch by Stuart Bickley forced Chris onto the grass at ADVAN-Bogen. Despite this Chris and Tom finished 12th and 13th in Am with Ryan able to overtake and fight for an 11th. A solid team effort.
Now WTCS will go on break again for a week, with the returning race taking place at Suzuka. NOMAD pulling a slender margin in the teams championship.
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