Chevrolet Denmark on scene in Germany

After a 5 hour drive from the Perfection Racing plant in Odense, the Danish World Touring Car Championship debutants arrived at Oschersleben at 13.00 o clock. The blue Chevrolet badged truck carrying the race trailer already was found lined up beside the Ray Mallock Ltd garage, at the Oschersleben paddock.

The next task was to unload all the spare parts, tools, air bottles and garage interior. Apart from the long drive, everything was down to routine.

The race trailer carried more parts, but in an hour the garage was well prepared. A dinner break enjoying the German cuisine of bratwurst, French fries and ketchup was enjoyed, before the detail work began.

The Danish race team is renowned for a keen eye to detail, and with loud Danish tunes blaring from the radio the work continued.

The atmosphere was calm and collected, but still with a scent of anticipation. This is the first step in the big boys world, several mechanics was found pondering while looking at the WTCC cars of Müller, Larini and Farfus.

”It is obvious, that our boys know exactly what to do, “ team boss Kent Bo Steffensen explains. “Every one has a task, and is concentrated to solve it. One guy takes care of the truck, one guy positions the car and another starts erecting the garage displays.”

“This race is our sales presentation. We are here to show, that we can handle the task; the World Touring Car Championship. Who should have known three years ago when I started the cooperation with Chevrolet in the Danish Touringcar Championship, that one day I would be here with that great team of mine. Most of them have been with Perfection Racing since the start in the small tent, a few has joined later. Now we are playing with the big boys.”

“I can’t hide the fact, that I am very, very proud. Proud to be here, we are on the top step of the Danish Touring Car Championship. And now we are finally here. It boggles my mind, but at the same time it makes me so proud. Two years ago we sat directly opposite this pitgarage, as part of the spectators. It goes to show, that we can hold our heads high, our setup is every bit as fine as the usual WTCC teams. They are professional, but so are we.”

“In regards to the race on Sunday, I think it is worth noticing, when you compare the two Danish cars which will compete on Sunday, that our car is 20 kilos heavier than the other one. It doesn’t really make it any easier to perform well, but that is the rules when you race a car like ours which hasn’t raced in the WTCC in 2009.”

“We know that our goal of 10-15 spot would be very fair. But on the other hand, who knows?”

“Maybe Nykjær can chock all the guys, who knows. We are very aware that this will be a tough challenge. It will take us time to learn the game. But our firm goal is to race one car with Michel Nykjær next year; a full WTCC season.”

“I really hope that we can find the funding for that. So it is important that we do well. We were actually quite amazed, that we already have received offers from foreign drivers. So maybe there are more people than we aware of, who knows of us.”.

“The most important resource in our team is the team members. I would love to give the guys the experience, to race a full WTCC season. I know that all the guys would love to do it. But as I have told them; without the consent of the families it will never work. So they have been instructed to go back to their spouses and talk it through. The WTCC is 12 race weekends instead of the 8 weekends in the DTC.”

“The mindset is that we will go for it next year. So right now, we are busy preparing the car. Every little detail is important, to secure a good result on race day.”

The preparation work continued until 18.00 hours, including talking to the other Danish driver Kristian Poulsen about the track, the standing start which is not found in the DTC. And the start, where the complete field will try to get through the first corner.

Perfection Racing finished todays preparation, Friday will hold setup changes, enginetests and finalizing the preparations regarding the qualification. Nykjær will drive the track on a quad, reminding him of every corner, bump and kerb.

Saturday will be the first day the cars will be run in anger, until then Touringcartimes.com will complete interviews with team profiles and follow the final preparations.