2022 24h Nürburgring Qualifying 1&2 Report

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2022 24H Nürburgring / NLS
2022 24h Nürburgring Qualifying 1&2 Report

【24h Nürburgring – Qualifying 1&2 ／ Nürburgring】

Strong showing by Walkenhorst and Yokohama at Day 1 of the 50th Nürburgring 24 hours

24h Nürburgring

Date	26 May 2022
Course	Nürburgring (Germany)
Weather	QF1 : Fine ／ QF2 : Cloudy
Surface	QF1 : Dry ／ QF2 : Dry

With the spectators out in full force right from the first day of the 2022 Nürburgring 24 hours, track action for the 50th edition of the “Green Hell” classic started on Thursday with two practice sessions. 135 cars took out to the track, eager to put on a good show from the very beginning for the large action-starved crowd that is allowed to fill the hills around the Nürburgring Nordschleife for the first time since 2019.

During the first 90 minutes opening session which started at 12:30pm, Walkenhorst Motorsport did not hesitate to get into the spotlight. Christian Krognes managed to set the second-fastest time of the day in the early stages in 8’15.936s in his Yokohama-liveried #101 BMW M4 GT3. Both Walkenhorst Motorsport and Yokohama underlined their ambitions for a strong finish at the 50th edition of Germany’s premier race right from the get-go.

Both the 90 minutes day time session and the three hour night practice on Thursday evening were held under dry conditions and moderate temperatures, providing ideal conditions for all drivers to get into a good rhythm for the rest of the weekend when the conditions are expected to be more mixed.

The #100 BMW M4 GT3, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the BMW M brand with a special livery featuring its characteristic red and blue colors, experienced two sessions without trouble, ending the day in 41st position.

On the contrary, the #102 Alpecin-liveried BMW had an eventful day with contact in both sessions, finishing in 29th overall. The Pro-Am car will have to start the race from the back of the first starting group due to a “Code 60” infringement. These incidents however didn’t stop the preparation for the race with all drivers doing their mandatory laps during darkness.

DRIVER VOICE

Sami-Matti Trogen　[Walkenhorst Motorsport]

“For me, this is the first time I’m doing this race with all the spectators at the track. It was really, really nice. I really enjoyed driving the night session, seeing all those people having a good time and yes, it’s true, smelling the barbecue inside the car. We are very happy with the car in general. Christian was really fast in both sessions. Right now we are preparing for the race, so it was good to have two trouble-free sessions. Both Yokohama and Walkenhorst Motorsport are really well prepared, and the cold conditions we are expecting for the race should really suit us.”