Jordan Pepper, the South African racing sensation, is on fire once again, setting the track ablaze at the Norisring DTM drills. Fresh off his triumph at the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, driving for the Grasser Racing Team, Pepper dominated the practice sessions by clocking the fastest lap time of 48.857 seconds, leaving his competitors in the dust as the only driver to break the 49-second barrier.
Reflecting on his past success at Norisring, where he clinched pole position 11 years ago in the VW Scirocco Cup, Pepper expressed his fondness for the unique challenges the circuit presents. “The Norisring is unique; I like these tight and risky situations along the walls, where you have to be extremely focused,” he remarked confidently.
In a surprising turn of events, Gilles Magnus from Comtoyou Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 emerged as a formidable contender, finishing just 0.161 seconds behind Pepper. Thierry Vermeulen in the Emil Frey Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 and Porsche works driver Thomas Preining in the Manthey EMA 911 also showcased their skills by securing third and fourth place, respectively.
Maximilian Paul, the 25-year-old driving for Paul Motorsport Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2, proved his mettle by achieving the fifth-best time despite facing challenges on the bumpy street circuit. Paul emphasized the technical nuances of the track, highlighting the importance of sensitivity and a well-suited setup to navigate the demanding course successfully.
As the day progressed, the drivers pushed the limits in the second free practice session, with Pepper once again demonstrating his prowess by setting the fastest time of 48.898 seconds. Magnus and Vermeulen maintained their strong performance, securing second and third place as the competition heated up on the 2.162-kilometer track in Nuremberg.
With the adrenaline soaring and the excitement palpable, the stage is set for a thrilling weekend of racing at Norisring. Stay tuned as Jordan Pepper and the rest of the talented drivers rev up their engines to compete for glory on the challenging street circuit.
