Enjoyable debut for De los Milagros at Nürburgring
Spain's Jose Manuel de los Milagros debuted in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series held at the Nürburgring last weekend, and although he was hit by some rivals in both races - preventing him from getting the expected results- the Ford Autolix Competition driver was one best rookie drivers over the weekend with competitive lap times.
De los Milagros drove a Ford Mustang entered by Ford Autolix Competition who also fielded Borja García and Salvador Tineo.
After the free practice sessions, De los Milagros approached the qualifying session with a clear objective in mind: to set a competitive lap time. He set a time of 1:35.103, to start 15th on the starting grid, more than one second and half slower than the pole position but a good performance in a new car on a new track.
Race one took place on Saturday and the start was not that easy for De los Milagros as to avoid a clash with another car went to the tail end of the field (25th). Pulling off a superb drive he finished 17th and setting his fastest lap over the weekend: 1:34.694. As the grid for the second race depended on that fastest lap, De los Milagros started 14th on the grid.
“I was hit by another car in such a senseless way and had to pit to change a left front tyre, because it punctured. I rejoined the race, but one lap behind the leaders, under safety car. I was in top-ten, even when I was lapped. But then another car hit me on the main straight and I spun. Fortunately I still managed to get into the race, finishing 18th, and gaining experience with the car”.
The Madrid-born driver was delighted as, in his own words, “the team congratulated on my performance. Our pace was quite good, and now we have to keep working because our target is to become a front-runner. And I´m sure we will achieve it. There is a high level, with former GP2 or Le Mans drivers, even Formula 1! My lap times were similar to them. And we will carry out a test in August, so it will be extremely useful. I wish to thank Ford Autolix Competition this great chance, because it was an unforgettable experience. I feel immediately at home. I would to congratulate Borja García and Salvador Tineo, as they won and finished on the podium and, in the case of Borja, moves closer to the series lead”.
