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Peter Dumbreck achieves N24 podium ambition - special feature

By MJP Media | 19 May 2015

Brit Peter Dumbreck claims a third-place finish at the gruelling Nürburgring 24 Hours with Falken Motorsports team-mates Martin Ragginger, Alex Imperatori and Wolf Henzler.

Ambitions were high for Falken Motorsports at the Nürburgring and the team didn't disappoint! From 19th on the grid, British driver Peter Dumbreck and his Falken Motorsports team-mates had a smooth and consistent drive in the Porsche 997 GT3 R to claim the team's first podium finish at the demanding German endurance race on 16th-17th May.

"What a race the Nürburgring 24 Hours is!" said an elated Dumbreck. "After a fourth-place finish last year, there was an expectation to improve on this and the team really pulled together to make this happen. We had the predictably unpredictable weather conditions, with light rain in the night making the track very slippery, but the Falken tyres and the car performed faultlessly. We made the right tyre choices and we all drove consistently to put us in this fantastic finishing position that we were all hoping and pushing for."

Preparation is key in endurance racing and the team, supported by Japanese tyre manufacturer Falken, was equipped with 280 slick and intermediate tyres and 160 wet tyres for the changeable conditions at the German circuit. Specially created for the challenges of the Nordschleife and the Porsche race car, the tyres were designed to complete just nine laps of the circuit. "We work really closely with the Falken team to ensure we have the best rubber for the unique demands of this 24-hour race," says Dumbreck. "Although the tyres could last much longer, we know that we only have enough fuel for nine laps before needing to pit, so it makes sense to utilise this time for new rubber."

On this fresh rubber, Dumbreck and team-mates Martin Ragginger, Alex Imperatori and Wolf Henzler set a lap time of 8:22.064 around the almost 26km circuit during Friday's qualifying session to line up on the tenth row of the starting grid that featured 152 cars. At race start, Ragginger made a strong getaway off the line, evading collisions and then it was all about consistency and avoiding penalties to maintain position. "With the aim of improving safety, speed restricted zones were enforced throughout the race," says Dumbreck. "Obviously we want the race to be as safe as it can be but this method does need to be looked at to keep everyone safe. We had a few issues in the race with some hard braking as people slammed on to meet the speed limit, but we avoided any penalties during the race, which was really important for us and our podium strategy."

Due to the extra strain the restricted zones put on the drivers, team principal Sven Schnabl decided that the Falken Motorsports team wouldn't do double stints in the race however during the night, Dumbreck was running so well that he completed two back-to-back stints despite the drizzle and limited visibility. "For me, a 24-hour race is a very special event and being out there on the Nordschleife during the darkness is exhilarating," explains Dumbreck. "The double stint wasn't originally planned but the car was feeling good and running well, so I wanted to make the most of it. Obviously it;s exhausting - I can't even explain how exhausting - but the thrill is unbelievable!"

In the clear light of day, the Falken team was still going strong as the race neared its exhilarating conclusion and the podium came into sight. "In the closing stages, Wolf came in to replace a tyre as a precaution as the podium within our grasp we wanted it at all costs," adds Dumbreck. "We completed 155 laps, just one lap less than the two cars ahead, with the final lap in 9:11 minutes, which was quite appropriate in a Porsche! But what a feeling to finish on the podium! The whole team was ecstatic after all the effort invested in the build-up and during the race itself. In a race like this it really is about the team with morale carrying you through the huge distance. We knew the car and the tyres could do it so I really want to thank all involved that helped achieve this brilliant position in such a hard-fought and punishing race - bring on 2016!"

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