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GT World Challenge Europe Endurance

Marc VDS looking to get back on top in BES at Silverstone

The Blancpain Endurance Series will see a grid of nearly 60 cars and the challenge will be tremendous, especially with such high profile competition on show.

Edited: Feb 7, 2014, 4:32 AM

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#4 Marc VDS Racing Team BMW Z4: Markus Palttala, Henri Moser, Nicky Catsburg

Silverstone, UK - The Marc VDS Racing Team head into the second round of the Blancpain Endurance Series at Silverstone with high confidence levels. Victory at this venue two years running with the BMW Z4 GT3 and a sparkling 24 Hours of Nürburgring performance put the team in great stead for the three hour enduro this weekend.

#4 Marc VDS Racing Team BMW Z4: Markus Palttala, Henri Moser, Nicky Catsburg

Photo by: Alessio Morgese

Maxime Martin, Bas Leinders and Yelmer Buurman finished seventh despite a troubled race at Monza so will be glad to return to a happy hunting ground in car #3. For Markus Palttala, Henri Moser and Nick Catsburg in car #4, a strong showing at Monza was blighted late on by brake issues, but they can be confident of their pace and will look to score well here.

It is a change of attitude for the team after the 24 hour endurance race at the Nürburgring where the team took a second place and this weekend the team step back into the more sprint focused mindset. The Blancpain Endurance Series will see a grid of nearly 60 cars and the challenge will be tremendous, especially with such high profile competition on show.

The Nordschleife was a unique circuit far removed from any other track Marc VDS will race at this season. This weekend they are back on a modern grand prix circuit - Silverstone. Marc VDS have been victorious every time the Blancpain Endurance Series has raced here, and will be looking to keep that record intact.

The British track, known as 'The Home of British Motor Racing', is fast, flowing and well regarded among many drivers. The circuit's sweeping turns play to the BMW Z4 GT3's strengths, including the famous Maggots and Becketts complex, a left, right, left, right, left that must be attacked but taken smoothly for a fast time.

The race takes place over a three hour distance, with the start at 14:50 local time on Sunday.

Nick Catsburg, BMW Z4 GT3 #4: "It's been a long break, but I've been driving quite a bit in the mean time so I'm still ready and focused. I'm looking forward to get back in the BMW Z4 GT3, especially at Silverstone. The car usually suits the track very well and it's a track I enjoy driving. Monza could've turned out so well for us but eventually we made some mistakes and it didn't and that was a big dissapointment to us. All that's done is motivated us to do better here."

Bas Leinders, BMW Z4 GT3 #3: "We know the car should perform well at Silverstone, we all like the track, and so we should be able to fight for the podium. It's a pretty stark contrast to Monza, because that's the worst circuit for us and we had a lot of trouble. We should show the strength of the car here. In terms of the nature of the race, in the end, whether it's the 24 Hours of Nürburgring or the Blancpain Endurance Series it's driving fast in a BMW Z4 GT3 so it's pretty much the same to me! It's just as hard to win here, but I'm confident we're ready for the challenge."

Sebastien Metz, technical director: "We've won here twice before, so we know the car suits the track very well. The expectation, for me, is to get both cars on the podium. It's that simple. It doesn't matter if it's wet or dry, because we can fight for top positions here. We have no concerns on tyres or set up - we'll have to work hard, for sure, but we will."

Marc VDS

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Marc VDS looking to get back on top in BES at Silverston​e