First Pro-Am victory for Black Falcon and another podium at VLN6

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The team entered a solo Mercedes-AMG GT3 in the top-line SP9 class. The #7’s driver squad comprised Abdulaziz Turki Al Faisal (Saudi Arabia), team newcomer Erik Johansson (Sweden) and Nordschleife specialist Adam Christodoulou (United Kingdom). The team’s new Mercedes-AMG GT4 continued its development programme by competing in the SPX class ahead of its full homologation: #52 was driven by Stefan Karg (Germany), Aurel Schoeller (Germany), Miguel Toril (Spain) and Manuel Metzger (Germany). A pair of Porsches were entered under the BLACK FALCON Team TMD Friction banner. The #171 Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport was driven by team veterans Mustafa Mehmet Kaya (Turkey) and Gabriele Piana (Italy), while the #394 Porsche 911 Carrera featured Saud Al Faisal (Saudi Arabia) and Olaf Schlüter (Germany) behind the wheel of the V6-class machine. 

Through qualifying, #7 completed the 90-minute session in a solid 12th position overall, but in touch with the fastest cars on the damp track. The #52 crew set the 33rd fastest time overall, second in the SPX class and just tenths off the car ahead. #171 qualified in an excellent 40th overall, on pole for the SP10 class, while #394 set the 75th quickest time, second in V6. 

The rainclouds hung ominously over the track as the race blasted into life at midday and the opening wave of GT3, GT4 and Cup cars swooped onto the starting straight and down to the tight first turn. Unfortunately the #52 Mercedes-AMG GT4 was unable to take the start due to a technical issue, and the race would become an elongated test session for that car. 

Conditions were changeable all round the Nordschleife over the first hour of the race: rain fell down on the far side of the track, but left the Grand Prix section relatively dry. #7 had a great opening phase to the race, completing the hour having made up six places from its starting position; #394 was back in 74th, second in V6 and fighting for the class lead. #171 had retained its class lead in SP10 for the opening phase of the race, but then started dropping down the order and would be forced to retire soon after. 

Adam was pushing hard in the #7 Mercedes-AMG GT3 as the halfway point approached, catching the car ahead hand over fist to bring #7 within striking distance, while also closing the gap to the leading car who was just 25 seconds up the road at that point. #394 had also made great strides forward during this part of the race, up to 52nd overall during this period and maintaining second in class, with times improving throughout the field as the wetter areas of the track dried. ATF took over #7 for the car’s third stint, sticking close to the leading pack; #394 kept up its chase of the V6 class lead. 

#7 ended up sixth when the chequered flag fell, Erik nursing the car home after a small off-track excursion while in the thick of the battle for fifth with another Mercedes. His car finished in the middle of the GT3 pack that comprises the SP9 class, and were also the first SP9 car home that featured a pro-am line-up. #394 crossed the line 61st, second in the V6 class, to claim another podium finish.

The second half of the 2017 season continues at a canter in just three weeks time with VLN7 taking place on September 23rd. You can support Team BLACK FALCON across all social media platforms: follow the team via twitter.com/TeamBlackFalcon, facebook.com/teamblackfalcon/ and instagram.com/teamblackfalcon to get live action updates direct from the tracks, as well as fantastic images of the team in action.

RACE DATES
VLN 2017
VLN7: 23 September (57. ADAC Reinoldus-Langstreckenrennen)
VLN8: 07 October (49. ADAC Barbarossapreis)
VLN9: 21 October (42. DMV Münsterlandpokal)