The first win for GRT since the GT World Challenge Europe race at Silverstone in 2017 (then known as the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup).
GRT Returns to the Winning Track in the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS
Marco Mapelli, Franck Perera, and Jordan Pepper win the 3-hour race at the Nürburgring in the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2. Grasser Racing re-enters the title fight in the Endurance Cup after their first win of the season. Gottfried Grasser: “We are finally back where we belong, fighting for victories and a championship.”
The Magic of Nürburgring: A Strategic Victory
In the 2024 season, the Nürburgring magic continues to work for GRT. The legendary circuit in the Eifel region was the venue for the third round of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup for the Austrian Lamborghini team last weekend. The GP circuit, a modern addition to the historic track, measures 5.137 kilometers (3.194 miles) and features 16 turns, offering a mix of high-speed straights and technical corners that make it a favorite among drivers for its challenging layout.
Unbeatable Performance: GRT Dominates the Field
In this endurance series, the team competed with two Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2s against a top-class field of 50 GT3 cars. The PRO line-up of Lamborghini factory drivers Franck Perera, Marco Mapelli, and Jordan Pepper achieved a successful comeback at the Nürburgring after missing out on victory at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. The trio once again demonstrated their impressive speed and secured Grasser Racing’s first win of the season in the Endurance Cup in the 3-hour race. Thanks to this success, the team now holds third place in the overall standings.
From Pole Position to Victory: A Flawless Race
It was a flawless performance at the front of the field for over three hours! Franck Perera, Marco Mapelli, and Jordan Pepper claimed victory in the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup race at the Nürburgring, marking Grasser Racing Team’s first win since the 2017 race at Silverstone. The car took the lead in the opening lap of the highly competitive race and never relinquished it throughout the event.
Strategic Execution: GRT's Path to Victory at the Nürburgring
The foundation was laid by the three Lamborghini factory drivers in the #163 car, supported by MOUNTAIN WOLF, during Sunday morning’s qualifying. Starting from third place, Jordan Pepper had an excellent starting position. In the first few corners, the South African took the lead with the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2. Under stable weather conditions, he kept his pursuers at bay. After the first pit stop, Marco Mapelli continued the duel for the lead and maintained the position. The final pit stop was decisive. The GRT crew brought Mapelli in before the competitors for the final driver change to Franck Perera. The Frenchman brought his tires up to optimal temperature, preventing an overcut by the rivals. With a determined maneuver, he reclaimed the lead and extended the gap to ten seconds in the last hour of the race, securing a comfortable victory for GRT.
Milestone Victory: GRT's Resurgence in the Endurance Cup Standings
For GRT, the victory by Perera, Mapelli, and Pepper marked their first overall win in the Endurance Cup since 2017. Seven years ago, Gottfried Grasser’s team won the title in this fiercely contested endurance series of the SRO Motorsports Group. With this triumph, the three Nürburgring winners now hold third place in the drivers’ standings. In the team standings, GRT is just 16 points behind the leaders. With two races remaining, the Lamborghini Squadra Corse-supported team still has every chance of winning the title. The next round of the Endurance Cup will take place from September 20 to 22 in Monza.
Jordan Pepper (RSA) / Marco Mapelli (ITA) / Franck Perera (FRA)
#163 Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO2
PRO CUP
Qualifying: P3 – Race: P1
“It was an incredible weekend at the Nürburgring. We picked up right where we left off at Spa and showed great speed from the start. We knew before the race that we had a strong package. It was crucial to get through the first lap and then focus on the race. After a perfectly executed start, I avoided the chaos and took the lead. From then on, it was a perfect race. The pressure was immense, but we were able to keep the competitors at bay throughout the race, and finally, Franck was able to pull away and bring home the win. I’m very happy with my first Endurance Cup win since 2019 and my first victory with GRT and Lamborghini in this championship. A big thank you to Gottfried and the team for bringing me on board, and kudos to the entire crew for such a great car.”
Jordan Pepper
“A big thank you to the entire team, who truly deserved this victory. They’ve given us a great car all year long. We were already the fastest in the field at Spa, and now we’ve finally managed to secure a win. We’ve known since the season opener at Le Castellet that we had the pace for it. It’s a huge relief for all of us. We’re heading into the next race weekend at Monza with a good feeling and will be even more focused. This was a team success, and that’s what it’s all about. Everyone contributes their part, and that’s how we want to win this championship.”
Marco Mapelli
“I’m very proud of our team and my teammates. We wanted our revenge after Spa. We didn’t fight for the win there, but we had a strong car since the start of the season and worked hard for it. With Jordan as a teammate, another crucial piece of the puzzle came together. This weekend, we demonstrated again how important good teamwork is. We worked perfectly this time, and I congratulate everyone in the team for this success, especially Gottfried. It means so much to all of us to be back at the top with GRT. We’ve earned it because we’ve had tough times. Of course, our goal now is to get into the title fight. We will keep pushing!“
Franck Perera
“With this victory, a dream has come true for us. We’ve been competitive in the Endurance Cup all season long and, aside from the tumultuous start at Le Castellet, we always had the potential to be at the front. This weekend, we finally put everything together and were rewarded for it. It was an incredible performance from Franck, Marco, and Jordan, as well as from the entire team. After the race at Spa, we had a score to settle, and we brought that motivation to the Nürburgring. It spurred everyone on, and we delivered. The success in the Endurance Cup makes me particularly happy, as we’ve had a few tough years here. Now, we’re finally back where we belong, fighting for victories and a championship. A big compliment to everyone involved and a huge thank you to our family at Lamborghini Squadra Corse. Without the manufacturer’s support, none of this would have been possible, and we are proud to repay the trust placed in us with these results. Lastly, I’d also like to commend our rookies in the Silver Cup, who showed a really impressive form this weekend. The guys were incredibly fast during the race, and I’m sure we’ll see them on the class podium this year.”
Gottfried Grasser, Team Principal of GRT
Photos: © SRO Motorsports Group // Gruppe C
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