D: Patrick Huisman Hockenheim weekend summary

SOLID OVERTAKING BRINGS PATRICK HUISMAN P5 AT HOCKENHEIM

HOCKENHEIM, 13 APRIL 2008 - In the opening race of the Porsche Carrera Cup at Hockenheim Patrick Huisman managed to work his way up into fifth place. The experienced driver, who will take part in all the Mobil 1 Porsche Supercup and Porsche Carrera Cup races, took the first important points for his employer, Hermes Attempto Racing. The best placed Dutchman is now fifth in the championship with a total of 12 points. Next week (April 20) the next race in the Porsche Carrera Cup will take place at the Oschersleben circuit.

FREE PRACTICE + QUALIFYING:

On Friday morning Huisman tried to find a decent basic set-up for the Porsche to use during the weekend. Because the track was not wet enough for a rain set-up and not dry enough for a regular set-up he was unable to explore the track well enough in both conditions. The final free practice session on Friday afternoon took place in heavy rain however. The four-time champion was in his element and ended the session in fifth place with a time of 2:06.560. On Saturday the track was completely dry, so Huisman was faced with a new situation. Because he only given the Porsche a shakedown during the two-day test at Hockenheim on March 6 and 7, he was unable to get the desired braking power from the steel brakes during qualifying. Huisman had to put up with tenth place.

RACE:

In the single race of the weekend Huisman had a decent start. The Dutchman was able to manoeuvre his car through the turmoil after the start, but lost some time to the leading group. Huisman got into the right rhythm as the race progressed and was able to pass several other cars. After just over 31 minutes he passed the finish line in fifth place. With this result Huisman scored the first points for the championship.

PATRICK HUISMAN: "We experienced all kind of weather conditions this weekend, which made it hard to determine which set-up to use. We also had problems finding the maximum brake pressure on the steel brakes of the Porsche. During the two-day test at Hockenheim we were unable to test this. The race pace of this car is good. The next couple of weeks I will not sit still. Next Thursday I will have a test with IRWIN Racing and next weekend I will take part in the second race of the Porsche Carrera Cup. The week after the second race of the Mobil 1 Porsche Supercup will take place. We will go for it again!"

-credit: www.patrickhuisman.com