On the Nürburgring, the Carrera Cup Deutschland heads into the final phase of the season. Only three races are left, but not one of the 40 drivers has been able to pull away from the field. After claiming his first victory in Europe’s fastest one-make series five weeks ago in Zandvoort, Chris Mamerow (Germany) travels to the Eifel as points leader. This season is the 22-year-old’s fourth in the Carrera Cup. Last year the quick youngster ranked fifth overall.
Mamerow has a tough nut to crack in 2007 – the very experienced Uwe Alzen (Germany) shares the same points tally with Mamerow. The 40-year-old racing professional claimed his first Carrera Cup title back in 1992. On the way to this success Alzen won on the Nürburgring. The circuit obviously suits the German: he won again in 1993, in 2006 he turned the fastest race lap in 1:32.531 minutes, and was flagged off in second position just 0.9 seconds behind the winner Dirk Werner (Germany).
Nicolas Armindo from France currently ranks third. Just seven points separate the professional racer from Alsace from the two leading pilots. The 25-year-old has already secured victory this year at round three on the EuroSpeedway and is always good for a top result. Sitting just two points behind the Frenchman is Richard Westbrook from Great Britain. So far this season, the London man has climbed to the top of the podium three times, on the Hockenheimring, in Oschersleben and at round four on the EuroSpeedway. However, for the reigning Porsche Mobil1 Supercup champion these top results were offset by two zero results. Last year, Westbrook secured third here on the Nürburgring.
Sharing the same points tally with Westbrook is Joerg Hardt. The German, who lives in Bonn not far from the Eifel circuit, still holds hopes to snatch the points lead. With two pole positions and four second placings, Hardt has shown he has the speed. Like Hardt, Christian Menzel regards the Nürburgring as his home race. Ranking sixth, Menzel is the only driver in the current Carrera Cup aside from Alzen who has won on this track. In 2005 he not only claimed victory on the Nürburgring but went on to become champion.
The seventh round of the Carrera Cup Deutschland takes place on the 3.629 kilometre sprint version of the traditional Eifel circuit. The race on Sunday takes off at 12.35 pm (CEST) and is contested over a distance of 23 laps or 83.467 kilometres.