D: Patrick Huisman Oschersleben summary

PATRICK HUISMAN SETTLES FOR FIFTH IN OSCHERSLEBEN

OSCHERSLEBEN - Patrick Huisman rounded off the top five in the second round of the Porsche Carrera Cup Germany in Oschersleben today. By having his Hermes Attempto Racing Porsche set up too conservative, Huisman was not able to take a serious shot at a podium finish after having started from sixth on the grid. But by adding another 12 valuable points to his championship tally, Huisman is now in strong possession of fifth place in the standings.

FREE PRACTISES & QUALIFYING

Patrick Huisman had set himself two clear goals for the two free practise sessions at the 3,667 meter long track near Magdeburg (GER): making as mileage as possible and gain more experience with the obligatory steel brakes in this series. With similar changing weather circumstances like last week's season opener in Hockenheim, the four times Porsche Supercup champion got up to speed as the sessions progressed. Despite ending the first day in 12th position, Huisman was positive about his chances for the remainder of the weekend as his Hermes Attempto team made significant progress throughout both sessions.

Equiped with new slick tyres, Huisman showed his true potential in qualifying. In Saturday morning's split qualifying session, he respectively set the ninth and second fastest time in his Porsche 911 GT3, handing him sixth position on the grid for Sunday's race.

PATRICK HUISMAN: "Together with the team we really grew into the weekend. Personally I'm also getting to grips with the steel brakes. The competition is really strong, so it feels good to be among the frontrunners."

RACE

Having started from sixth position on the grid, Huisman enjoyed a tough but fair battle with Uwe Alzen for fifth position in the opening stages of the 22 lap race. But as Huisman soon found out his Porsche was set up too conservative today, he had to let Alzen and the frontrunners go. Still struggling to find enough grip, the Dutch ace had to defend his position to Martin Ragginger halfway through the race. After Ragginger made a mistake while trying to outbrake Huisman, the latter could easily bring his Porsche with starting number 88 back home in fifth position, taking advantage of the retirement of Alzen later on.

PATRICK HUISMAN: "With the benefit of hindsight I have to conclude we started the race with the wrong set-up today. A pity. Though we set mega consistent lap times throughout the entire race, we were simply not fast enough today to attack and gain some positions. Fifth position however isn't too bad either. I'm now looking forward to our second Supercup weekend in Barcelona next week!"

-credit: patrickhuisman.com