2011  International & Single Seater News News of young WRDA members who are competing in the International & Single Seater arena.

                                                             Andy 2nd on Nordschleife debut 


Aston Martin works driver Andy Meyrick made his debut in the VLN endurance racing championship at the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife track in Germany this weekend 24/9/2011, with a view to participation in the 24-hour race at the same track in June next year. Driving an Aston Martin Vantage GT4, (nicknamed The Smurf) he was partnering Wolfgang Schuhbauer and Jurgen Stumpf in the four hour race and finished 2nd.   Schuhbauer is Aston Martin’s Nürburgring Test Centre Director, and an expert on the 24.4 kilometre (15.2mile) circuit, while Stumpf is a seasoned Nürburgring pilot. One of the longest and most daunting tracks in the world, set amongst the Eifel mountains, Andy had to get up to speed with the 33 left-hand and 40 right-hand turns, unforgiving cambers and varying road surfaces that make up each lap. Later Andy described the experience 'It was awesome. I got a liitle lost, but it was fun. We finished 2nd in class (and 28th overall from the 150+ entries) so it was  mega job by Ason Martin Germany and my team mates Jugen & Wolfgang. The VLN is a really cool & amazing championship,” enthused Andy. “There are big ‘works’ teams such as we’d be used to seeing in international sports cars, and blokes with trailers – all mixed up together. And you’re all mixed up in the pit garages too, with up to six cars in one garage! I managed to get up to speed with the track and feel comfortable with it quite quickly and ‘Smurf’, our Aston Martin’s nickname, did us proud. I wasn’t really sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised by the car; it did everything you wanted it to do and was really quick and reliable. We all drove well and made no mistakes so it was a good result for Aston Martin and for the three of us. In fact, I believe it was their best qualifying result so far. We achieved all our objectives for the weekend, and I’ve now got one VLN finish under my belt. My next race will be at the end of October, with Wolfgang and Jurgen again in ‘Smurf’ and I’m really looking forward to it.”

WRDA member Andy has been keeping himself race sharp since Le Mans,  with historic racing and testing in a variety of different cars, & couldn't wait to go racing for Aston Martin again. “I’m excited to be going to the Nürburgring and race with Aston Martin. It was a good challenge and very entertaining – I was thankful that I was with good, experienced driver Wolfgang and Jurgen as there was a lot to get to grips with in a short space of time.”  In line with regulations for rookies, Andy will have to take part in two VLN races prior to the 24-hour race, and his second race is due to take place in October.

Report Rob Allender

www.andymeyrick.com