July 11-13, Oschersleben (D)
JULY 11-13 2008 SAW LOTUS CUP EUROPE VISIT THE OSCHLERSLEBEN ARENA, GERMANY.
The previous weekend 5-6 July saw Lotus Sport
visit the circuit also, with there 2-Eleven Sports Light
entry into FIA GT4.
This provided a very good benchmark for the Lotus Cup Europe competitors to attempt to match the lap time of our own Lotus test driver, Gavan Kershaw (albeit with a slighty different circuit layout and tyres). Gavan’s lap time was 1:41.60.
Also present this weekend was the Dutch Super Car Challenge with 9 Lotus Exige, 1 Esprit GT2 and an immaculating presented Lotus Cortina for the classis race.
Saturday saw a late start with first free practise at 1830hrs. Weather conditions were generally good with the track damp in patches.
Twenty three cars entered the circuit with John Rasse # 212 in his Exige Cup setting fastest time of 1:46.95, closely followed by Thierry Verhiest # 200 1:47.11 and Luc De Cock with 1:47.21 in his Cup 240.
The 100 Mile Race
Sunday 0730hrs saw competitors preparing their cars for qualifying, again dry, humid but overcast with expectant rain over the course of the day.
Qualifying saw new tyres for most competitors and a quickening of the pace. Verhiest topped the times with a 1:42.99, second was Brian Cullen 1:43.48 and third Christophe Lisandre 1:44.77.
An interval between qualifying and the race of 4 hours allowed the competitors to alter the setup of there cars and relax for a period.
1430 hrs the race began under changeable and indecisive conditions, a short spell of light rain as the cars lined up at the end of the pit lane sent teams and mechanics hurriedly off preparing wet tyres.
The rolling start to the 100 miles race always provides an oppurtinity for the quick accelerating Lotus’ to gain some ground.
No one took more advantage of this than Christophe Lisandre who from third went straight into first in class by turn one lap one. No changes to positions were made in the first 10 laps until the competitors settled into there stride.
A Rasse / Montgomery battle interrupted by a Porsche who cut up the inside into turn one, with all fours wheels locked it just managed to turn in.
Thierry Verhiest began to rein in Christophe Lisandre with a relentless pace, and overtook him on lap ten.
An early pistop for Rob Montgomery caught his team unawares, they quickly recovered and Brian Cullen was back out and flying.
Between 30 minutes and 45 minutes all Exige and 2-Elevens had completed the mandatory pit stop.
A late dilemma saw Brian Cullen loose 6th gear with 15 minutes to go.
This resulted in the #202 2-Eleven bouncing off the rev limiter down the main pit straight.
The 100 Mile Race podium:
| Place | # | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 200 | Thierry Verhiest | 30 |
| 2 | 204 | Christophe Lisandre | 24 |
| 3 | 217 | Robert Montgomery | 20 |
