The German XRAY Nitro Touring Car Team dominated the German National Championship 2007 by sweeping the whole podium.
The German National Championship in the Nitro Touring Car category was held the last weekend of August, and after several qualification rounds the best German drivers from different regions qualified into the very last main final race to compete for the prestigious title of German National Champion.
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As the competition level has been very strong in Germany in the prior qualification rounds this season, the competition was very thrilling and very close. Already during these qualification rounds the team was doing very well with Dirk Wischnewski and Robert Pietch winning in South area, Martin Christensen winning in North area, and Andreas Myrberg winning in the Center area. Of course all other teams were doing well and several rounds were won by other teams. As such, everybody was preparing for the last final race. Martin Hudy from the XRAY Factory Team participated at several qualification rounds to be able to race in the last official Championship. However, only a few days before the race his confirmed place was cancelled and some big discussions were made; after this, Martin decided to go to another race in Austria. In a twist of fate, Martin received acknowledgement that he was again allowed to race in Germany but by then it was too late. So a bit of stress was present right before the race but once the raceday came, everybody was just fully focused on racing.
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In qualification, Team XRAY showed that it would be the team to beat by setting the fastest lap times with Dirk Wischnewski taking the TQ position with Robert Pietch in 2nd place. Martin Christensen qualified in 13th place but later on worked his way into the main final.
The final was full of thrilling racing when Robert Pietch overtook the lead from Dirk Wischnewski who was cruising in 2nd place behind his teammate. Martin Christensen did a very nice showcase too taking him up to 3rd place so at the end all three XRAY NT1 cars crossed the finish line in a row sweeping the whole podium.
Final Results of German National Championship 2007:
1. Robert Pietsch - XRAY NT1
2. Dirk Wischnewski - XRAY NT1
3. Martin Christensen - XRAY NT1
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Winner Robert Pietsch gives his personal perspective of the German National Championship:
I am very happy to win the German National Championship. The race was difficult because we had a lot of rain during practice and there were 129 drivers who liked to practice in dry conditions; every one of these drivers wanted to do their best and win. The car worked very well right from the beginning. I was consistently doing the best times with Dirk in the practice. In Qualifying we had only 3 runs. I was in 2nd place behind Dirk. I was happy with this, because I was not in a good heat. For the final I started very carefully because I have started off with large tires. I got into a collision with another car which put me off the track and I lost about a half lap behind Dirk. After 15 minutes my car was perfect and I could close the gap on Dirk. I overtook him and pulled away maybe 8-10sec ahead of him. These were the positions we held until the end. My set-up was similar to the European Championship in Madrid. I only changed to the front differential and used a thinner anti-roll bar in the rear and softer springs.
Thanks to XRAY and to Juraj for making the best touring car out there and thanks to the whole XRAY team for perfect work and support. Thanks to all my other sponsors and all the other drivers and teams for a nice race.
