A lesson learned for Black Falcon at the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany debut

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It was a premiere for BLACK FALCON at the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany season opener in Hockenheim. During two spectacular races on the 4,574 kilometer long track, the German squad based in Meuspath (Eifel) managed to score their first points in the championship and even finished on the podium in the amateur trophy.

The three Black Falcon Porsche 911 GT3 Cup finished their first race in 10th (#4, Gabriele Piana), 14th (#6, Carlos Rivas) and 21st (#40, Tom Kieffer) position, while Rivas also scored a second place in the amateur cup. The second race saw Piana and Kieffer pass the finish line in 11th and 12thposition. Rivas had to retire after an accident. 

Start number 4 – Gabriele Piana – RN Vision Team Black Falcon
The race weekend started with a 10th place in the free practice session on Friday afternoon for Gabriele Piana behind the wheel of the RN Vision Team Black Falcon’s Porsche number 4. In the split qualifying session, the Italian set the 10th (race 1) and 12th (race 2) fastest lap times. Starting from position ten, Piana quickly moved up the grid in race 1 before he dropped back during the 25-minute long run and eventually finished in 10th position. The second championship race on Sunday morning began well for Piana who started from 12th place. During a battle for position in the "Spitzkehre" section, he touched a competitor who lost control over his car causing his vehicle to spin. The race director imposed a drive-through-penalty on the 30-year-old, which eventually led to a final result of an 11th place.

Start number 6 – Carlos Rivas – Black Falcon
In Porsche number 6 Carlos Rivas debuted in the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany. He was the sole of the three Black Falcon drivers who entered the amateur ranking of the Porsche Carrera Cup. In free practice, Rivas was 18th overall and 5th in the amateur cup - a result he managed to repeat in the first qualifying session. For the second race, he qualified 2nd in the amateur cup and 15th overall. During the 25-minute long first race, Rivas showed a flawless performance and moved up the grid climbing position by position. After 14 laps, the 40-year-old Luxembourgian crossed the line as 14th overall. At the same time, he secured a 2nd place in the amateur cup allowing him to attend the podium ceremony. Rivas did not finish the second race. After a braking mistake, his car collided with two competitors damaging the car too much to finish the race. Rivas got penalized after the race for causing a collision and was forced to move down 5 positions on the starting grid at the next race.

Star number 40 – Tom Kieffer – Black Falcon
Tom Kieffer replaced regular driver Christian Engelhart and started as guest of the championship in car number 40. The Luxembourgian used the time of the first free practice sessions to familiarise with the vehicle and was rewarded with the 19th fastest time. He qualified for race 1 in position 21 and secured position 22 for race 2 on Sunday morning. During the first race, the 42-year-old was involved in a series of nail-biting battles with his competitors. A small mistake cost him some time but Kieffer fought back and gained another position during the last lap, eventually crossing the finish line in 21st position. The final race on Sunday morning brought the best result for Kieffer. In an action-packed race, he came home as 12th, gaining 10 positions from his initial start position 22.

Team Black Falcon after the race:

Eve Wallenwein, Teammanager Black Falcon:
“We are quite happy with the results of race 1. A top 10 result and the second position in the amateur cup are a good debut in the Porsche Carrera Cup. During the second race, we got introduced to the particularities and tough conditions of sprint racing. But we knew from the beginning that it wouldn't be easy, especially during the first couple of races. We will analyse the weekend and will apply the new learnings at the Lausitzring.”

Wolfgang Drabiniok, Speaker RN Vision Team Black Falcon:
“The 10th place in the first race shows the potential and speed of Gabriele. During the second race, he fought really well and gained a lot of positions before he risked a little too much. Thus, he had to accept a drive through penalty – that’s racing. The opening round was a good reference of where we are in terms of speed. We are happy about the fantastic debut of RN Vision Team Black Falcon. All people involved did a great job.”

Gabriele Piana, driver start number 4:
“As expected, the grid is very strong and overtaking is hard. To be amongst the top 10 in the first race was a great debut. In the second race, I had position six just within reach but I happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when I got hit by a competitor. After that, the car did not work as well as before.”

Carlos Rivas, driver start number 6:
“I drove my first laps on the track just weeks before, when we tested on Hockenheim circuit, so the first session was a bit harder than usual. I had a good first race and was able to gain positions and I’m really happy about the second place in the amateur cup. In the second race, I had a perfect start and was really motivated to bring home another good result. After a contact at Spitzkehre, my tyres locked up and I crashed into two other drivers – the race was over.”

Tom Kieffer, driver number 40:
“I had some great battles and was pushed to my limits. It was a great challenge and an unforgettable experience to compete on this grid. Both races were great fun for me and I’m happy that the car didn't get any scratches during the races.”

The second Porsche Carrera Cup Germany race weekend will take place from 19th to 21st May 2017 at the Lausitzring, with the German Touring Masters Championship (DTM) being the host of the event once again.