From August 30 - September 1, a battle of the dwarves took place in Zandvoort, the Netherlands. Once again, the spectators were treated to a top-class show with first-class racing drivers and their cars.
First championship decision made!
As part of this year's Nordzeecup, organized by MSC Langenfeld, the battle of the dwarves started again for its joint "vacation weekend"! As in previous years, the weather was kind to the participants and the riders and their families came together for a wonderful late summer weekend. The Battle of the Dwarves, which with 45 starters once again had the largest field of participants on a race weekend, took to the track a total of four times this weekend. Starting with the first qualifying session on Friday, the drivers from the British Classic Trophy made it clear straight away that overall victory would only be possible if they passed them by.
From oil pressure problems and engine damage
Herbert Wein jr. was the leader with his Mini after the first practice session. However, it was not to stay that way. In the second training session, the cards were reshuffled and in the end Thomas Berg was able to take pole position ahead of Herbert Wein jr. and Gregor Nick, all on Mini. Karl Schroer had less joy with his NSU. Due to an engine failure, the weekend was over for him after the practice runs. Christoph Hürter with his Simca was not really satisfied either. Due to massive oil pressure problems he had to abandon the training. In an overnight operation, the Simca Rallye was brought back up to scratch in a nearby workshop. Thomas Berg, who had started race 1 from pole position, was not so lucky! A serious accident involving Rainer Klockenhoff on the second lap led to a full course yellow phase.
Various participants exceeded the speed limit
While Klockenhoff survived the accident with a few injuries, a number of participants were found to have exceeded the speed limit. 16 drivers were each given a 30-second penalty by the race organizers. The leader Thomas Berg received a 150-second penalty. He had exceeded the speed limit more than once during the FCY phase. In the end, it was Herbert Wein jr. ahead of Gregor Nick who won the first race. In third place was the fastest NSU and winner of the NSU TT Trophy - Alexander Schneider. While the Abarth Coppa Mille was once again dominated by Hubert Nagl in his Abarth 1000 TCR, Christoph Wilde won the 1300 Histo Cup in a Simca.
Mini SPI deliver close fights
The 2nd race of the weekend then took place on Sunday. Thomas Berg, who had been handed a 150-second penalty the day before, started the race in his Mini from 11th place. However, he fought his way into the leading group on the first lap. On the 2nd lap, he was then reported as the overall leader. The spectators were treated to an exciting race by the impressive field of starters. Both at the front and in the rest of the field, where the Mini SPI once again fought close battles. But the NSU TT was also exciting. However, an accident involving NSU driver Stefan Schmelter meant that a full-course yellow phase had to be called again. He had run out of space on the track, which led to the subsequent departure.
19-year-old as overall winner of the NSU TT Trophy
After Thomas Berg celebrated overall victory and victory in the British Car Trophy, Hubert Nagl and Christoph Wilde also repeated the victories in their divisions. The 19-year-old Alexander Schneider, who had already won the NSU TT Division the day before, was also crowned the winner again on Sunday. For him, however, it was not just the 2 race victories this weekend. He was also crowned overall winner of the NSU TT Trophy ahead of time. The Kampf der Zwerge community once again had a wonderful weekend with many exciting battles and fair races and is now looking forward to the last race weekend of the year at the Nürburgring at the beginning of October.
