Callaway Competition turned it around at the fourth round of the ADAC GT Masters at the Sachsenring. In an exciting, turbulent race on Sunday, the two Corvette drivers Markus Pommer (29 / Neckarsulm) and Jeffrey Schmidt (26 / Liestal) took Corvette's first win of the season. The strong eighth place on Saturday topped off the return from a miserable stretch.

Sachsenring reclaims success: After the difficult start to the ADAC GT Masters season and the long dry spell, the longest-serving and most successful racing team in the series is back on the road to success. The racing team from Leingarten returned last weekend, October 2-4, with a sensational victory on Sunday. The Corvette team’s frequently-mentioned bubble of hard times has finally burst.

Jeffrey Schmidt (26 / Liestal Switzerland) started the second race on Sunday from sixth on the grid. With a very good start, the Swiss driver was able to advance to P2 before getting to the first turn. However, he then had to fall back to third after the next series of turns. Jeffrey displayed great concentration all the way to the mid-race driver change.

In the second half of the race, Markus Pommer (29 / Neckarsulm Germany) pressured the leading Lamborghini of Franck Perera (36 / France) and Albert Costa Balboa (30 / Spain) from the GRT Grasser Racing Team lap after lap. He then decided not to risk P2 and a consequent podium win any longer. Then, as they crossed the finish line, the first-place team received a time penalty for an offense during a safety car phase, which cleared the way for the Callaway Corvette for its first win of the season.

Step by step, back to good fortune: On Saturday, after the seventh race, a return to joy. Starting 14th, the Callaway duo fought their way to a strong eighth place finish. It was the first step in the right direction after having been unlucky on Saturdays so far this season.

Callaway Competition achieved the hoped-for turning point through their team spirit and hard work. Even at the Sachsenring, which is not exactly on the Corvette C7 GT3-R's parade route.
Despite the long dry spell, the team always maintained a positive attitude and an irrepressible will to win. Setbacks were handled quickly. Now, the team’s next victory should be realized soon.
For the Corvette team, headed by Mike Gramke, it's off to the Red Bull Ring in Austria in a week and a half, where the team clinched their last victory last year. A good place to pick up where you left off on the Sachsenring.

“A very good result which is, of course, all the more beautiful since we’ve had a tough season so far. Everything went in our favor in qualifying, we were able to set a good lap and secure one of the front starting positions. After a lot of work this weekend, our Corvette was very good on the track, which was certainly the basis for the good performance, both in qualifying and later in the race. I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank the entire team, who never gave up. Everyone pushes and works hard for success. Even in the bad times, the team has never lost its motivation. The best thing about being up there is to see how everyone on the crazy and hard-working team has a huge smile on their face again.” Jeffrey Schmidt (26 / Liestal Switzerland)

“That was a strong weekend. Everything finally worked out. After we were basically competitive at the season opener at the Lausitzring, we had a lot of bad luck in the last few races, and it was often just minor things. This weekend we finally had luck on our side again. We weren't at the Sachsenring last year. So we had to figure out the track a bit first. We worked a lot on the setup and we were both able to improve. Jeffrey laid the foundation with a good qualifying effort and the start went well for us, although we actually thought that we would have disadvantages on the outside of the lane. At the outset, I was faster than the Lamborghini but I didn't want to risk second place.” Markus Pommer (29 / Neckarsulm Germany)

“We’re all overjoyed about this success after the long stretch of heartache. This was a breakthrough after the previous races. We wanted to make progress in both races at the Sachsenring and get into the points. The hard work of the entire team has paid off and we’ve shown that we’re on the right track. Now we have to take the momentum with us and continue to focus on bringing everything together. A big thank you also goes to all of our partners and sponsors, who’ve always cheered us on even in difficult times.” Mike Gramke (Team Principal)

ADAC GT Masters 2020:
16.10. – 18.10.2020 Red Bull Ring (AUT)
30.10. – 01.11.2020 Circuit Zandvoort (NED)
06.11. – 08.11.2020 Motorsport Arena Oschersleben FINALE

Text: A.Dannenberg / Motorsport-Karriere.de
Foto: Axel Weichert