VLN 4-Hour Preview – Pepper straight back to the ‘Green Hell’

South African Bentley racer Jordan Pepper heads to this weekend’s second round Nurburgring VLN race, the 42nd DMV 4-hour race on the notorious 17km Nordschleife, looking to improve on his podium debut performance there last weekend.

“We’re going into VLN round 2 at the Nurburgring just two weeks after race 1 – that’s quite a quick turnaround, which means that there is a lot of work to do in a very short time, especially for the team” Jordan explained. “I have been to the factory, spent some time with the guys and now I am also spending a lot of time poring over the data to look and see what and where I can improve. “There was so much to learn at the first race, so wherever I can improve will really be beneficial.

“I’m teaming up with Belgian driver Nico Verdonck and German Christian Mamerow in the yellow car again this weekend – only one car this time, which is good so I can focus on more laps, more driving time – there is still a lot I can improve on, so if I can start where I left off in VLN 1, I think I will be on the right track and making good progress.

“This race will be tough – all the same top drivers, cars and teams will be back and some of them have been playing the Balance of Performance game and they will start to unleash a bit, so it certainly will be a bigger challenge. “Our team is on top of it to find means to improve though and all of this is leading up to the Nurburgring 24-hour and that’s what this weekend is all about – working through everything and making the most of it.

“My pace was good last time out, but every lap counts at that place – every lap is so important – you learn so much every time you go out there; so I go back with an open mind to try and learn as much as possible. “I’m really enjoying it though – the Nordschleife is an incredible place and to drive a car like my Abt Bentley Continental GT around there on the limit is truly unbelievable – it’s a racing driver’s dream.

“So I think I am going to have a smile on my face all weekend – I’m really looking forward to it.”

The 42nd DMV 4-hour will be streamed live from midday Saturday 8 April – find the streaming link on http://www.vln.de homepage.