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The BRT Team was already in Salzburg on Thursday and had their hands full from the start constructing the tents and completing the vehicle presentations. The team included Wolfgang Fischer with his BMW M3, Herwig Hautzinger with a Seat Leon Supercopa and our own Andreas Rehwald with his yellow BMW M3.
The Friday was the designated test day in the event programme. Due to the large number of participant vehicles there was always a lot of traffic on the course and for this reason the BRT team decided to drive the final Stint in the evening. This run-out proved to the team that all of the reconstructions and improvements were working very well, and they looked forward to Qualifying on Saturday with great confidence.
Qualifying also went perfectly. Andreas immediately started to record fast times from the outset, even though he was constantly up against Youngtimer vehicles on the course. Andreas only required a few laps until it became certain that he would be crowned winner of the 3.0 litre Qualifying, meaning pole position and the best start place for the first race on Saturday afternoon.
Up until then, checking the M3 was at the top of the team's list: Releasing the tyres from the pick-up, refuelling, evaluating the data – all OK and no problems. The BMW M3 proverbially runs like clockwork.
The only thing to do now was to wait for the race. It eventually started on time and without incident. 48 vehicles began the chase and Andreas was immediately able to put some distance between himself and his pursuers. He was already 10 seconds ahead after the first lap, and consistently increased this lead, lap after lap. After 12 laps his lead amounted to an immense 56 seconds over the second-placed vehicle in the 3 litre class.
There were beaming faces on the podium, and the 10 points for the victory also meant leadership of the overall rankings in the Youngtimer class.
Then the same procedure took place once again; Checking the M3 over, refuelling, tyres, and an inspection of the complete mechanics to make sure that everything was running perfectly for the second Qualification on Sunday. Then came an announcement from the race organisers that with the second race would have to be split into two parts due to the large number of participants. The field was split into 3 litre vehicles, and vehicles of over 3 litres. This meant a change in schedule, so that the time trials began at 8am. Andreas once again put the onlookers in no doubt as to who was in charge and recorded the best time on the asphalt on his second lap. Then the first interruption happened. It was found that one of the competitors had damaged his sump, and this became apparent in the form of a large oil spillage on the track. Andreas was travelling on the uphill straight in the direction of the pits when Wolfgang Schachinger's Sierra went up in a cloud of smoke in front of him, eventually ending up crosswise in the gravel bed. Andreas was able to hold his M3 on course and proceeded to the box with care. The lights were already set at red as he arrived, indicating a crash. Many drivers still hadn't completed their fast lap and hoped that the red phase would soon be over. However, this did not happen and the time ran out, and Andreas Rehwald was officially declared winner of the Qualifying. This meant pole position and the best starting place for the second race on Sunday afternoon.
On the afternoon of the race the track speaker inspired the packed grandstand when Andreas increased his lead in the first chicane, eventually ending the first lap 12 seconds ahead. The "One Man Show" was in full swing once again. None of his 32 opponents posed any form of danger to him and it was only when lapping some of the backmarkers on the 6th lap that a few uncomfortable moments occurred. Some of those being lapped were seemingly unable to get out of the way, perhaps fixated by the blue high beam headlights. One of them even managed to execute a spectacular spin maneuver in his vehicle at the Start/Finish line due to his extreme hesitation. Andreas went past regardless and attained his second Class victory of the week-end.
Once again, Andreas found himself on the winner's podium, and simultaneously banked 10 more championship points. All-in-all, Andreas has 124 points and 11 victories. An impressive achievement, bagging the championship title with a completely new car.
The next race will be on the 26th/27th of September at the Red Bull Ring in Austria. Andreas is certain to be champion in the 3 litre Class, and is currently leading the Youngtimer vehicle class too.
Another two victories and the championship is his. With this result, the tent village was dismantled once again, and the team contently made their journey home to Neumarkt-St.Veit.