With two weeks until the first of the two 2018 NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Playoffs, Alex and his Braxx team mates completed a successful test on the Hockenheim
circuit.
The penultimate round of this year’s NASCAR Whelen Euro Series season, which has an added bonus of double series points, will be staged at Hockenheim in Germany in two weeks time.
To ensure that the drivers are fully prepared for this important round the whole team travelled from their base in Belguim to the Hockenheim circuit, to complete a one-day open test. The objective of the test was for the drivers to gain important circuit knowledge and work on set-up for the race.
Having never visited the Hockenheim circuit before, Alex used the test to familiarise himself
with the layout of the track and then to work on fine tuning and mastering the challenges of the circuit.
Alex and his Braxx team mates did not have the circuit to themselves as a number of other NASCAR teams also took part in the test. The addition of the other teams provided a good
reference on pace and provided a number of “targets” to use to assess further their performance.
Alex kicked off the test with a 45-minute session in the morning run under the hot German
sunshine. A controlled and steady start saw Alex finish the session with the team’s second
fastest time and a number of fast and consistent runs.
“The Hockenheim circuit is a real challenge and very technical. The use of the same layout
for the test as was used for the German Grand Prix meant the hairpin was a real challenge
in a NASCAR. Having to brake from over 150 mph to around 30 mph was a real test for the brakes”, commented Alex
A strong performance in the morning was built on in the afternoon where Alex consistently lapped the circuit faster and faster, as he explored the grip limits and experimented with different lines and braking points.
As the test came to an end Alex set lap times well on target for the expected race pace when the cars return for the penultimate round next month.
“I am very happy how the test ended as I was not at my limit and we set good times on old
tires”, remarked Alex.
Alex will next be in action in Hockenheim, Germany on the 15th to 16th September.