Round 5 of the FRL's WTCC series was held at the renowned Nurburgring. It was a five lap event encompassing both the Grand Prix circuit and the Nordschleife. At stake was a potentially huge points boost for the winner and the coveted "Lord of the Ring" title.
Green Flag and everyone charges off into the Green Hell
It would prove to be an interesting start as the dice roll from earlier that morning determined that a reversed grid would be used to start the event. At the green flag, Bryan Dean and Ethan Maestri would benefit from great starts to move up the order and into the lead position at the first corner. There was quite a bit of bumping, and some drivers did get out of sorts, but most of the ten car field came through cleanly. Ethan Maestri led the train through the GP segment of the circuit but swung a little wide into the NGK chicane. This opened the door for Bryan Dean to move around the #85 Audi and into the lead heading onto the Nordschliefe.
Behind these two, several battles for position were forming. Matthew Smith led Travis Billingsley, Paul Maestri and Andrew Steppat for a number of turns into the Nordschliefe. Eventually Matthew would lose control of his #12 Mercedes, giving up P3 and ending up in the tire wall. Behind them, Drew Dilbeck, Tony Tyree and Nicholas Hargrove were running in fairly close proximity to each other. Drew would have some troubles early on but would recover well enough. Tony would have several close calls on the slick grass which kept his advancement in check. Nicholas played it a bit more safe and while not avoiding the barriers entirely, kept his car clean enough for a time to keep himself in the race. Allen Ruff was less fortunate and found himself in trouble early and frequently. His Audi was often into the grass and damage was heavy enough to bring him into the pit at the end of lap one.
#12 Matthew Smith has a big off just before the Bowl
Lap 2 would see slight offs from nearly everyone as the field stretched out along the undulating turns of the Green Hell. Bryan Dean would stretch his lead a bit more over Ethan Maestri. Travis Billingsley was able to put some separation between himself and Andrew Steppat after an unsuccessful charge by Andrew ended with a bump to Travis' rear bumper. Andrew would suffer some damage that would slow his second lap significantly. Ethan Maestri would pit on lap 2 hoping that a shorter pit stop would pay off in the long term. Andrew would come in as well needing to repair the damage to his BMW.
Lap 3 would shape the outcome of the race as Tony Tyree would have trouble and be forced to retire from the race during this lap. At the end of the lap, Bryan, Travis and Paul would all pit allowing Ethan Maestri and Andrew Steppat to get right back in the thick of the fight. Bryan would have a sizable lead still, but Travis - in second place when pitting, would lose that spot to Ethan at the start of lap 4. Midway through the lap, Travis caught Ethan at the Bowl and Ethan pulled over to let the Volvo by. But just a few turns later Travis hit the grass and was into the barrier, giving Ethan P2 back. As the two started the final lap, Travis would pull alongside Ethan in Turn 1 of the GP course and tried to pass. Through Turns 2, 3, & 4 the two cars raced side-by-side. Finally, at the end of the Schumacher S, Ethan finally gave ground and Travis would race on to secure P2. Andrew had been gaining on the two cars as they fought for position in front of him. As Travis made his pass, Andrew was just coming up on Ethan at the start of the Nordschliefe. It looked as though he'd be able to put enough pressure on the Audi and gain P3 at least. But then Andrew touched the grass in a high speed turn in the early part of the course and faded back. Ethan would finish the race in P3.
Bryan Dean was able to pass for the lead early and never look back. He takes his #808 Audi S3 some 65 miles to victory. His first this season. An important victory because it gives him the "Lord of the Ring" title and 50 points as this was a double-point event. He also benefits from 3 bonus points for having the fastest posted lap time in the event. All of this giving him a much needed boost in the points after failing to show for Yas Marina. Travis Billingsley gets a solid P2 finish and 36 points added to his tally. Ethan Maestri gets a much needed P3 and 2 bonus points for the second fastest posted lap.
Bryan Dean, winner of Round 5 and Lord of the Ring
The series moves on now to Monza and the Race of Italy, November 27th.
