29.10.08 Wolfgang Kaufmann fastest of the GT brigade at Brno!

The Czech endurance racing season traditionally ends with the „Epilog“ 6 hour race. Together with Alexander Talkanitsa sr. & jr., Wolfgang Kaufmann raced the AT Racing Corvette C5-R prepared by Sepp Renauer. With this 2001 model GT1 car, Kaufmann and Talkanitsa have already secured the “Citation Cup” of the FIA GT Championship.

AT Racing Corvette C5R

Wolfgang Kaufmann

Kaufmann / Talkanitsa had a score to settle with the Epilog; in last year's edition, they debuted the Corvette here but dropped out of the race with gearbox trouble while on target for a podium position. Even before this, Kaufmann has taken part in many editions of the Epilog with various Porsche 996 GT3-RS and RSR run by Renauer Motorsport. His biggest success in this race to date was a third place overall in 2003.

As early as the first times practice session, the quasi-prototype DTM machines of Mercedes and Audi proved to be significantly faster around the 5 kilometre track. So the team's goal was to put pressure on the DTM cars with perfect preparation and constantly quick lap times. The AT Racing crew safely controlled the remaining GT field which consisted of 1 GT1 Maserati MC12 and a Pagani Zonda, as well as several Porsches and Ferraris. This although unlike the opposition, the Corvette ran with its FIA GT spec air restrictors.

The question of tyre choice became a pressing issue before the start of the race on Saturday afternoon as the teams were faced with a wet track, but no additional showers forthcoming. While the front row qualifiers all relied on wet weather tyres, Wolfgang Kaufmann opted for Intermediates on his AT Racing Corvette, a choice which proved to be rewarding. In his first 50 minute stint, Kaufmann worked his way up to second place overall before Alexander Talkanitsa, and then Alexander Talkanitsa jr., in only his first year of motor racing, took over the helm of the C5-R.

With the track continuing to dry up, the DTM cars with their all-professional driver line-ups managed to win back the podium places. In spite of their spirited effort, Wolfgang Kaufmann and the highly motivated AT Racing crew had to settle for fourth place at the 6 hour mark, as well as the honour of fastest GT in the field.

“Allowing DTM cars in this race is a big problem”, Kaufmann sums up this year's Epilog, “these cars are just too far evolved technically from the GTs and touring cars, and regularly manned exclusively with professional drivers. We have no chance to break into this league by ourselves. With three DTM cars in the race, we are an automatic fourth place finisher. Barring technical problems or accidents on their side, there is no way of moving up any further.”

Wolfgang Kaufmann's season may end at the Gold Cup at Vallelunga in Italy. First run in 1977, this 6 hour race may offer the opportunity for another drive with Giovanni Lavaggi's LMP1 prototype.