Prototype Cup Germany News Notebook

New Driver Line-Ups Allowed

Creventic and ADAC have made minor changes to the regulations for the 2023 season of the Prototype Cup Germany.

While the race format remains unchanged, Gold drivers are permitted for the first time in season two. The teams will also go head to head in a new Team competition.

As of 2023, professional drivers with the FIA’s Gold classification can also line up in the Prototype Cup Germany but only in a duo alongside a Bronze driver.

They are not permitted to start together with a Silver driver or on their own without a second driver.

As in 2022, the stationary times during the mandatory pit stop and driver changeover will be based on the make-up of the driver pairings.

Individual starters must also make a pit stop and accept a longer stationary time. The system of different length of pit stops is used to balance out the varying performance levels of the different driver line-ups.

A Team competition has also been launched for 2023 with the series now boasting four different classifications: the overall championship, which includes every driver; a Junior classification for all those born in 1998 or later; a Trophy competition for all Bronze drivers, and the new Team competition, towards which the results of each team’s best car count.

The race weekend format remains unchanged. It starts with at least two free practice session, each lasting at least 30 minutes. A separate 15-minute qualifying session is held for each race. If a car is shared by two drivers, each driver must be at the wheel for one qualifying session.

Race weekends will again feature two races in 2023, with each race lasting 55 minutes with a mandatory pit stop, which must be taken during a time frame yet to be defined.

IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship Winner Courtney Crone Set For Gebhardt Ginetta Campaign

IMSA Diverse Driver Development Scholarship Winner Courtney Crone and Gebhardt Motorsports are set to compete in the 2023 Prototype Cup Germany.

Crone says, “It is an honor to join Gebhardt Motorsports in their Ginetta LMP3 in the Prototype Cup series, the racing history and the achievements of Gebhardt Motorsports are both very exciting. I am looking forward to joining them for the first race of the year at the famous Hockenheimring. The Ginetta will be a new challenge for me, as I also learn the European circuits.”

Crone started 2023 season by winning the prestigious IMSA Diverse Driver Development Award. This launched her North American racing season, as she stood on the podium at Daytona International Speedway in the IMSA VP Racing Sports Car Challenge.

“We see a lot of potential in Courtney and look forward to having her on the team. The old Prototype Cup Germany season is gone…the new season is here for the Gebhardt Motorsport LMP 3 Team.”

First Dutch Team Entry

More Motorsport will be the first Dutch team to participate in the Prototype Cup Germany with 19 year old Max van der Snel and his father Mark van der Snel sharing a Ligier JS P320.

The car will be serviced and have technical support from the engineers and mechanics of Reiter Engineering, who participated in both the Prototype Cup Germany and Michelin Le Mans Cup last season.

“This is a dream come true for my father and me,” says Max van der Snel. “We have already raced together for the past two seasons, but competing in an LMP3 in the Prototype Cup at well-attended DTM and ADAC events is quite a challenge. We are pleased with the technical support from Reiter Engineering, who will assist us in the coming season to achieve maximum results together.”

19-year-old Max has been racing since he was 17-years-old when he took part in the Westfield Cup with his father Mark. In his first season, he became Rookie of the Year.

In 2022 he competed for the championship and finished second overall. Max studies Motorsport Engineering at the National Motorsport Academy of De Montfort University in Leicester and is also a part-time racing instructor at RSZ (Rensportschool Zandvoort). His father Mark has, in addition to two seasons in the Westfield Cup, also participated in the Dutch Radical Cup in 2012.

Racing Experience Returns

After a successful year in 2022 with winning the prototype class title in the GT and Prototype Challenge and several podium positions in the Prototype Cup Germany, the Luxembourgoise team Racing Experience is preparing to compete again in the German Series with at least one of their three LMP3 cars.

A second car looks distinctly possible.