Excellent debut of Luís Michael Dörrbecker in Europe

The Formula 1 track of Hockenheim, Germany close to the metropolis Frankfurt, was the place of the first race in Europe of Luis Michael from Queretaro, México. Third weekend of the Formula Renault 2000, light Italia series with the races 5 and 6 of the championship.

Michael had to overcome some disadvantages:

New track for him with no chance for previous training,

the race car on Michelín slick tires unknown to him and

his formula race car with an “aero kit” from last year, competing against updated 2010 Renault race cars.

Training sessions:

After a first training session “touring” around the track Michael started to top his lap times every training session, setting the 6th fastest time in the last session being the fasted of the 3 drivers of his Facondini – Costa Rica team.

Qualification:

Lack of experience of Luís Michael to use his “slick” tires to a maximum, he qualified in the 10th place of the staring grid.

Race 1:

Taking his starting position on the grid after coming back out of the warm up lap putting the car in neutral the engine stopped. Same problem to the car in front of Michael!

With a small battery in the formula race car, by pure miracle Michael could restart the engine in the moment when the red starting light goes off and with a quick steering wheel movement he goes around the car in front of him going off late into the race.

First lap, turn 4 “Spitzkehre”, a turn of 180 degrees with a braking zone form 235 to 60 km/h. Good point to overtake but as well to end the race in a disaster.

Various race cars touch and go off the track, Michael comes back into the Motodrome area of the Hockenheim track passing the line of the first lap in 10th spot. Great fights and topping his times constantly Michael finishes the first race in an excellent 8th place.

Race 2:
Leaving the trailer to get the car to the starting grid the drive shaft of the formula car braked.
Missing only 20 minutes for the start of the race even the owners of the Team Facondini - Costa Rica were under the car to fix the problem of Michael’s race car.
As Luis Michael came late to the grid he had to start out of the pits, last position with a 28 Formula Renault race car field on track.
A race with a lot of anger, Michael could use the advantage of the wide track and the “Spitzkehre” turn to move up positions. At the end he was clocking lap times same as the second position driver, he was the fastest driver with the 2009 model race car and again was the fastest driver of the Facondini - Costa Rica Team finishing the race in a great 8th position.

Luís Michael says thank you to his sponsor SIAD and the help of the Schaeffler Group, Cauchotec, Robert Bosch, Pagid and MANN FILTER and is inviting them to the next race of the Formula 2000, light Italia series, the weekend of August 6th to 8th on another Formula 1 race track, Magny Cours, in France.

SIAD / Stammtisch Racing