The trip to Dubai paid off for Wolfgang Kaufmann, in two ways. The German professional joined not one, but two teams for the fifth edition of the 24 hour race in the United Arab Emirates.
Initially, a drive with a British team’s Porsche 997 GT3 RSR was on the cards, but that entry was withdrawn on short notice. Undaunted, the allrounder travelled to the crisis-ridden Emirate on the Gulf. On Wednesday, the opportunity arose for a drive with Kalman Bodis’ Hungarian team and their self-built Brokernet Silver Sting. On the way to scrutineering on Wednesday at noon, the second drive materialised, as replacement for an ailing driver with Aston Martin specialist Nicolas Mee’s team and their Aston Martin Vantage.
Both teams agreed to Kaufmann pulling “double duty” in this race: “Of course I realised that such a double work load at Dubai is very demanding; but I set my sights on reaching the podium with both teams. The groundwork for this was already done, as the Aston started from pole position in the very competitive SP3 class, and the Bovi Motorsports car also held pole position in its class”, Kaufmann explains the situation before the race.
“With Bovi’s perfectly prepared Silver Sting, starting driver Racz unfortunately had a coming together with another car on the second lap, and tyre damage subsequently sent the car to last place in the standings! Just when we had worked our way back to P17 of around 85 starters, we again suffered a blown tyre and lost precious time. Kalman Bodis and his crew really did an outstanding job and brought along an excellently prepared car, with many Porsche components. Just based on our form, a top 5 position would have been within reach, and deservedly so” - in 13th place and as class winners, the team got to the finish.
Driver changes proved to be a good workout for Kaufmann – Bovi Motorsport had the first pit garage, while the Aston Martin had its home in the last garage on pit lane… – “This was my first race with an Aston Martin, and pole position war a strong start while the crowning achievement of the weekend was crossing the finish line in third place of our class at the end of the 24 hours”, he says.
“I have driven a number of 24 hour races, be it Le Mans, the Nürburgring, Spa, Daytona Bahrain or Dubai; but this race was undoubtedly the toughest; and with two podium finishes, and both cars in the top 20 finishers, it was also very successful. I am looking forward to working with these highly professional teams again in the future”, a delighted Wolfgang Kaufmann summed up his Dubai experience after his return to a somewhat chillier Germany.
“The Dunlop tyres we had on both cars performed superbly. The pit work by Nicholas Mee’s crew, and the preparation of their Aston Martin Vantage, also was first rate. They are a very professional outfit, and we had plenty of fun racing together.”
Source : Wolfgang Kaufmann