Schothorst & Dermont set the pace for TDS Racing

A new record was set on the Nordschleife today in the Mégane R.S Trophy – Mégane Renault Sport’s newest series. Indeed, Laurent Hurgon clocked the fastest lap in a front-wheel drive vehicle on the circuit with a time of 8:07.97. Meanwhile, the drivers in the Eurocup Mégane Trophy were deep in preparation for an intense weekend of racing at the Nürburgring. Bas Schothorst and David Dermont (both TDS racing) took first place in the morning and afternoon sessions respectively, and the pair will no doubt feature heavily this weekend. 

There were several changes to the field ahead of the latest round of the Eurocup Mégane Trophy. Grégory Guilvert took Dimitri Enjalbert’s place in the Team Lompech Sport car, while Sebastian Stahl, on home soil, joined the ranks of Brixia Horse Power for his first race in the Eurocup. Bernhard Ten Brinke was the final new addition, and he makes his return to the category after a spell in rallying.

While the new arrivals prepared themselves for action, TDS Racing team-mates Bas Schothorst and David Dermont set about challenging for top spot in the first collective testing session. Michele Faccin (Boutsen Energy Racing) also mounted an early challenge at the top, before exiting the track and forcing a red flag.

Schothorst handled the restart well, and preserved his lead with a lap of 2:07.728. Overall championship leader Stefano Comini (Oregon Team) was never far from the action, though, and raised the tempo as the chequered flag approached. However, despite his best efforts, the Swiss driver was unable to dent the TDS Racing duo’s dominant display. It was Schothorst who finished the first session fastest, ahead of Dermont, Comini, Michele Faccin and Wim Beelen.

Dermont recorded his only Eurocup Mégane Trophy race victory at the Nürburgring in 2008, and he once again showed his feel for the track by setting the pace early in the afternoon. The Belgian took immediate control of the session and set a new fastest time for the day with a lap of 2:06.494. Team-mate Schothorst pushed hard to regain top spot, but Dermont managed to maintain his advantage.

There was a real tussle between Schothorst and Dermont towards the end of the session, with the pair matching each other blow for blow. In the end, however, it was Dermont who seemed the most likely to finish the session top of the leaderboard as he clocked a time of 2:06.044. Grégory Guilvert was determined to push Dermont all the way to the wire, but the Belgian once again managed to improve his best time. Dermont finished the session in the gravel trap, but it did not stop him from walking away with the fastest lap of the day. Comini, Faccin, Guilvert and Schothorst finished close behind.

What they said :

Grégory Guilvert: “I was able to do a few test sessions for Team Lompech Sport in the Eurocup Mégane Trophy a while ago. I really wanted to make the step up and compete in races. This weekend I’m here to do just that, and I’m very happy about it. I feel good about the car, even though there’s still work to be done.

Sebastian Stahl: “The opportunity to drive here came up in the last few days. I’m happy to be here and to be able to drive this excellent car. I really like the circuit and I’ve driven here many times, including in the Nürburgring 24-hour race. I had a problem with my foot, which is why I haven’t been able to compete that much recently. So it’s back to work for me now.”

Bernhard Ten Brinke: “Things went very well in rallying, but I felt I’d had my time and I was starting to miss the Eurocup Mégane Trophy. The comeback has gone well so far. I slotted back in straight away and I still really like the car. It’s quite a technical circuit with some fast sections, and I feel good on it. We’ll see how the weekend pans out, but my goal is to carry on with the season.”