Tags: Heico Sportiv Heico HS4 Odin motorsport Volvo
Volvo Specialist HEICO SPORTIV won in it’s first start with the HEICO HS4 ODIN in the “SP4T” class at the “37.Adenauer ADAC Rundstrecken-Trophy” at the Nürburgring- Nordschleife.
The 4th championship run of the Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring last Saturday was the first race for the HEICO HS4 ODIN .The transfer from street-legal concept car to fire breathing race car was accomplished in less than 3 weeks. Intensive track testing prior to the race was not possible due to this tight schedule. Even without a full testing program, ODIN performed astonishingly well and achieved a class-victory against the established Ford Focus ST’s in the category for cars with 2.5 litre turbo engines.
“We are very happy that we could drive the car home safely under these weather conditions. The car had no problems from the start. Visibility was terrible under these conditions.” Patrick Brenndörfer (Darmstadt) explained after his 8 lap run. Starting from position 87 out of 220 cars was more than difficult. “The windows fogged immediately so I had to drive to the Pit in the first lap.”
Brenndörfer continued. After a short stop the dull-blue Volvo with its silver TOYO decals was back in the race. Brenndörfer fought his way trough to the front and gave the 350HP Volvo S40 cockpit to his team partner Martin Müller (Griesheim).
On the now dry racetrack, Müller managed to drive a 11:26.659 on the circuit, which is a combination of the Grand-Prix and Nordschleife routes. That’s a time that would be good for a top 40 position. Müller gained many positions, partially due to perfect tire choice - many teams switched to slicks, but it started to rain again. Shortly before the third hour race-control stopped the grand prix because of the horrible weather conditions. Although missing some time in the beginning of the race, Team Heico finished in position 62 overall, and with the victory in the “SP4T” class.
“That was a great audition for the 24h race” Martin Müller smiled after the race. “My thanks go to the Team, which worked very hard, including many night shifts, the drivers, who brought the race-car back safely under difficult weather conditions, and of course our partners TOYO TIRES and the Volvo Auto Bank” Team Manager Holger Hedtke continued.
The next race for the HS4 ODIN will be on the 17th/18th of June, 2006 at the world’s hardest long distance race, the 34th ADAY 24hour race at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.
