Typical Nürburgring conditions greeted the teams and drivers for the early morning qualifying session for the final round of the 2015 Blancpain Endurance Series. First driver to set a competitive time was Andy Soucek in the #31 M-Sport Bentley, and it wasn't until the third and final part of the qualifying session that his lap time was bettered.
There was a flurry of improvements, and eventually it was Mirko Bortolotti in the #63 Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini who took his second pole of the season, beating a pair of Nissans (the #23 Nissan GT Academy Team RJN and the #173 Always Evolving) by around two tenths of a second. Series leaders Ortelli and Stippler will start from 14th, with their nearest rivals Dusseldorp and Bastian in 12th.
In Pro-Am Cup 2014 Nissan GT Academy winner Gaetan Paletou confirmed the good form of the GT-R on the Nürburgring, by taking the pole (and 8th overall), just in front of the #66 Black Pearl Racing by Rinaldi. Alexander Mattschull was the fastest in the Am Cup, at the wheel of the #34 Car Collection Mercedes. The final race of the Blancpain Endurance Series will start at 14.45.
Mirko Bortolotti (#63 Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini): "It feels very good to be on pole again, after the first one in Paul Ricard. The team did an excellent job in preparing the car, and now we are aiming for a good result. Unfortunately, because it has not been the luckiest of seasons, we are out of contention for the drivers' title, but we still have a shot at the teams' crown. We will do our best to defend our chances."
Gaetan Paletou (#22 Nissan GT Academy Team RJN GT-R): "It's the first time that I was given the opportunity to qualify the car, I would like to thank the team for the opportunity. It's been a great qualifying session for Nissan, with the Pro car in second, now it's up to us to get a great result in the race."
Alexander Mattschull (#34 Car Collection Motorsport Mercedes): "It has not been the easiest of seasons so far, but the team worked to be ready for the Nürburgring. So far it has been a good day for us, let's hope it can continue that way."