Oregon Teams Stefano Comini had feared rain in the build-up to the weekend, and the heavens did indeed open for the first race of the Eurocup Mgane Trophy at the Nrburgring. Despite relentless pressure from TDS Racings drivers towards the end of the race, Comini held on to win for the fifth time in five races. Bas Schothorst came home in second, ahead of TDS Racing team-mate and leading gentleman driver David Dermont.David Dermont and Bas Schothorst gave it their all in qualifying, but their efforts proved in vain as Stefano Comini reaffirmed his status as the King of Qualifying. The Swiss driver took his fifth pole of the season, clocking the fastest time with his final attempt.Comini was caught cold by Schothorst and Dermont at the start of the race, but the Swiss star managed to climb back into second place just a few turns later. Schothorst finished the first lap at the head of the field, but the Dutchman lost considerable ground with a braking error that saw him go straight off the track. After a turbulent opening, it was Comini who led proceedings ahead of Dermont, Grgory Guilvert (Team Lompech Sport), Schothorst and Niccolo Nalio (Oregon Team).The rain quickly came to complicate matters, as it had done since the start of the day at the Nrburgring. Racing on slick tyres and with a waterlogged track, the drivers had to cope as best as they could. In testing conditions, Dermont caught Comini by surprise and went through to take first place. At this stage, the drivers had no choice but to head to the pits and change to wets, with some also taking the opportunity to refuel.Thanks to a good pit stop and a decision not to fill up with fuel, Dermont was able to lead the race for quite some time ahead of Comini, Schothorst and Guilvert. Unlike Comini, however, Dermont had to make another stop to refuel later on and had to push to extend his lead over the Swiss driver as far as possible. For his part, Comini had to be on his toes as Schothorst, Guilvert and Niccolo Nalio all rejoined the race.With ten minutes to go, Schothorst closed in on Comini and probed for a way past, and the tussle between the two drivers lasted several laps. Behind them, Nalio forced his way past Guilvert to move up into fourth place. Dermont returned to the pits to refuel with just three minutes left on the clock, before rejoining the race just behind Comini and Schothorst. The race went right down to the wire, but it was Comini who emerged victorious after brilliantly holding off the challenge of the TDS Racing pair.What they said:
Stefano Comini: I was worried it would rain, and it did. I was slow before I went into the pits, and slow when I left! Bas Schothorst was much quicker than me. I did what I could to fend off the challenge. It worked for me today, but it was intense out there.
Bas Schothorst: I would have liked to win, but it wasnt to be. Its still a good result though. It was a great battle. The tyre change went well, and after that I really found a good pace. But it was impossible to get past Stefano, especially when the track started to dry out and I lost speed. Im happy with second place I needed points.
David Dermont: TDS Racing really did a great job. It was a good decision not to refuel on my first stop, but we wanted to be safe by filling up a bit just before the end. Im happy to be on the podium and to record another win in the Gentlemen Drivers category.
