Kissling Team Wins The Start Of The Opel Astra OPC Cup

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:36

The start of the newly founded Opel Astra OPC Cup was won by a trio from NRW and Baden-Württemberg. At the VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring, the team also benefited from strategic mistakes made by the competition.

Ulli Packeisen (Wuppertal), Hubert Nacken (Steißlingen) and Ralf Goral (Moers) from Team Kissling won the start of the Opel Astra OPC Cup. At the opening race of the VLN endurance championship Nürburgring, the trio was right at the top of the podium after the four-hour race. "The Astra OPC is a great car, compliments to Opel and the Kissling team. It's just great that we were able to win the start," said Packeisen. After years of abstinence, Opel has returned to motorsport with its own Cup series. Of the 20 registered teams, 18 took part in the race.

Opel Astra OPC Cup season ends with the Münsterland Cup

The trio from North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg relegated Wolf Silvester (Nuremberg) and Mario Merten (Kelberg) with starting number 350 to second place. The trio had to approach the pit again shortly before the end and were 16.792 seconds behind at the finish. "Unfortunately, our strategy in the race was not ideal," said Merten, "as a result, our competitors came back and were ultimately able to overtake us shortly before the end of the race."

Jannik Olivo and Elmar Jurek from Berlin secured the last podium after a thrilling race with many changes in leadership. The fastest lap time in qualifying was achieved by Michael Funke (Breuberg), Hendrik Still (Niederzissen) and Rodney Forbes (Mühlheim). They needed 9: 42.313 minutes for the 24.358 kilometer combination of the Nürburgring short connection and the Nordschleife.

The second run will take place on April 27 at the 55th ADAC ACAS H&R Cup. A total of nine races will take place. The season ends on October 26th at the 38th DMV Münsterland Cup. (AG / TF)