Photo: Frikadelli Racing
Frikadelli Racing will return to Nürburgring endurance competition this year, competing with a quartet of Porsche factory drivers at a number of races up to and including the Nürburgring 24.
The long-time Nordschleife regular will field two Porsche 911 GT3 Rs this year, including one for works drivers Kevin Estre, Michael Christensen, Earl Bamber and Laurens Vanthoor.
It’s understood that Frikadelli will be present for the first three NLS (formerly VLN) races, the six-hour N24 qualification race, and the N24 itself.
In addition to the factory lineup, the team will also field a Porsche for team bosses Klaus Abbelen and Sabine Schmitz, plus Alex Mueller and Lance David Arnold.
“Our entire Frikadelli Racing team is really looking forward to the new season and is already looking forward to the start,” Abbelen said.
“First of all, it will be important for us to fight for a top position in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring again.
“In order to achieve this goal, we were provided with a very good driver squad from Porsche over the winter break and strengthened once again on the team side.
“I am convinced that we are very well equipped and a lot is possible with this combination.”
Frikadelli’s renewed commitment to Nürburgring endurance races comes after it considered leaving the platform last year in protest to controversial new rules that gave a 5 percent power reduction to GT3 cars.
Abbelen was one of the more vocal critics of the regulation, which was implemented shortly before last year’s VLN season got underway, and he decided to end his program after the N24.
After that, Frikadelli began considering other options for 2020, including the ADAC GT Masters and SRO Motorsports Group competition.
Kyalami Return, Bathurst “Targeted”
Frikadelli doesn’t have any confirmed plans past May’s N24, however, but a return to defend its win at the Kyalami 9 Hour is on the table, as is next year’s Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour, along with LMP3 projects.
The team won November’s Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli finale at the South African circuit with a Porsche works lineup of Nick Tandy, Dennis Olsen and Mathieu Jaminet.
That car was supported by Porsche specialist Manthey Racing, with a combination of Frikadelli and Manthey crew on-site.
“In the second half of the season, Frikadelli Racing will again focus on other racing series with the LMP3 vehicle,” Abbelen continued.
“In addition, the 9H Kyalami in South Africa will be targeted again in 2020, and even the 12h Bathurst in Australia in 2021.”
