The fourth round of the ADAC GT Masters in Assen, Holland, would bring the best results this year to date for team flatex-reiter. Two Lamborghini Gallardo GT3s were fielded by Team Boss Hans Reiter. Christopher Haase / Albert von Thurn und Taxis formed the duo with the start number 1; Jan Lammers and Marius Ritskes were at the wheel of the number 11 car.

Saturday afternoon’s qualifying was dominated by the Italian brand. On a damp track Albert von Thurn und Taxis and Marius Ritskes had the task of qualifying the Gallardo for the first race. In the second half of first qualifying it was Albert von Thurn und Taxis who became the first driver to break the 2 minute barrier. The 25-year old improved again to record a 1:59.083 minute lap time and in doing so claimed his first GT3 pole position! Marius Ritskes took 5th position on the grid for his home race.

The results in second qualifying, which determined the grid positions for Sunday’s race, were even better. Despite the increasing rainfall the team flatex-reiter drivers once again came out on top. Christopher Haase lapped quickly from the beginning and remained in the leading group throughout the session. The twenty minute qualifying session developed into a battle between Haase and Hennerici in a Ford GT. Haase threw caution to the wind on his last lap and secured the team’s second pole position of the weekend. Jan Lammers put his Lamborghini Gallardo in third position.

Race 1 was unexpectedly short. The Safety Car was deployed by the race stewards after an accident involving one of the competitors. The race was only restarted with 22 minutes to go. Starting drivers Albert von Thurn und Taxis and Marius Ritskes had handed over their Lamborghini Gallardos during the Safety Car period, so that Christopher Haase and Jan Lammers could at least run unhindered from traffic. As soon as the green flag was waved both team flatex-reiter drivers pulled away from the field immediately. They were able to complete the remaining laps in adverse conditions without risk and duly took the team’s first one-two.

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“A fantastic result for us this weekend. Everything ran perfectly. Albert made an excellent start before losing his advantage due to the Safety Car period. At the restart I was able to pull away again. I pushed immediately and was close to the limit. I was only able to reduce my pace a little and drive more controlled towards the end,” said a delighted Christopher Haase about his victory. “That was a well-earned victory for Christopher and Albert today.

They were clearly quicker than us today,” said Jan Lammers in paying tribute to his team mates and clearly enjoying another podium finish.

Both team flatex-reiter Lamborghini Gallardos would occupy the front row for race 2. Like Saturday, Christopher Haase pulled away immediately with Jan Lammers close behind. After only a few laps the lead was already 8.7 seconds and continued to grow. Christopher Haase was able to increase his pace a little more and in doing so pulled away from Jan Lammers.

The mandatory pit stops followed on lap 16 (#1) and 17 (#11). The running order remained unchanged after the fi eld had settled down following the round of pit stops. Albert von Thurn und Taxis held a 30 second lead in first place from Marius Ritskes and controlled the competition.

After 29 laps the second one-two for team flatex-reiter was in the bag.

Christopher Haase / Albert von Thurn und Taxis won from Marius Ritskes / Jan Lammers. “The race was great fun today,” said Christopher Haase. “The car and tires were perfect today, and we are now leading the championship. What more could we possibly ask for?” Albert von Thurn und Taxis fought with curious problems: “With such a large lead I didn’t have to drive on the limit anymore, but then you lose concentration and the danger of making a mistake grows. However, we’ve won again, a perfect weekend!”

Jan Lammers and Marius Ritskes fought with an ABS failure on the Lamborghini Gallardo, but were nevertheless able to finish second. Haase / von Thurn und Taxis now lead the standings with 46 points, Ritskes / Lammers are second with 29 points.