Zimmermann Porsches, entered by the Mathol Racing team from Diez, competed in a total of 14 events at the Nürburgring during the 2021 season. The cars performed above average. At races in the Nürburgring Endurance Series (NLS), the Nürburgring Circuit Challenge (RCN) and at the endurance classic, the ADAC 24h Race, there were a total of 13 class victories, 6 successes in the classification group of near-series production cars and numerous other good placings. In addition, the motorsport events also served to test and develop various brake system components from Zimmermann.
Successful start to the season at the second NLS race
The NLS started the 2021 season with the 2nd race, after race 1 had to be cancelled due to the onset of winter. The weather conditions played along this time. The fast Zimmermann Porsche 718 Cayman was driven by the Zimmermann regular drivers Wolfgang Weber and Alex Fielenbach. The Cayman was on pole position in the V3T class and took a commanding class win, plus the classification group win in the NLS production cars. In the Zimmermann Porsche Cayman S from the drove the Belgians Maxime Dumarey and Jean Glorieux to second place in the class V6.
Strong performance at the third NLS race
The 3rd NLS race also took place in good outside conditions. The Zimmermann Porsche 718 Cayman S was driven by Weber and Fielenbach. This time the duo was supported by the fast GT3 driver Ricardo Feller (Switzerland). Fielenbach, who had gotten married the day before, had his top experience already on the way to the starting grid. Spectacularly, with the traditional cans in tow, he moved to the top starting position in the V3T class. A perfect race day followed: fastest race lap, class victory and success in the production car classification. The Zimmermann Porsche Cayman S in the V6 class was driven by the duo Joel Sturm/Alexander Hommerson. At the halfway point of the race, they had to retire early after a slight contact. They were left with the fastest race lap in class.
Fast laps and a class win at the fourth NLS race
115 teams tackled the 4th NLS race. The Zimmermann Porsche 718 Cayman S was driven by Weber/Fielenbach and the fast GT3 driver Feller in class VT3. There was another class win, but it was not enough for success in the classification group, as a puncture cost a lot of time. The Zimmermann Porsche Cayman S in the V6 class was driven by Weber and Feller as well as Yusuf Owega, another GT3 driver. Since the Porsche had to be restarted at the side of the track with a computer error, only second place in class remained in the end.
Successes at the NLS double event
NLS rounds 5 and 6 were held on the same weekend. In the first race, the Zimmermann Porsche 718 Cayman S with Weber and Fielenbach as well as Oliver Louisoder started in the VT3 class. After setting the best time in the class in practice, the trio also dominated the race: Class victory and success in the classification group. The Zimmermann Porsche Cayman S was driven by the two Swedes Tommy Graberg and Hans Holmlund to second place in the V6 class.
The Zimmermann-Porsche 718 Cayman S was again driven by Weber, Fielenbach and Louisoder in the VT3 class in the second race of the weekend. The successful drive of the previous day was repeated.
Class victory at the seventh NLS round
The external conditions at the seventh NLS race were almost ideal. The Porsche 718 Cayman S was driven by Weber and Fielenbach, who were supported this time by Thorsten Held. The vehicle, which was superior in the VT3 class, not only took another class victory, but also won again in the classification group of near-series cars.
Class victories at the eighth NLS run
The sun was shining at the 8th NLS race. The Porsche 718 Cayman S was driven by Weber/Fielenbach, who were supported this time by Owega. The trio won in the VT3 class. It wasn't enough for the classification win this time. The three minutes longer pit stop time compared to the competition could not be made up. In the Zimmermann Porsche Cayman S, the Pole Franz Dziwok and Owega took turns. The duo won unchallenged in the V6 class.
No start at the NLS season finale
After an almost complete racing season at the Nürburgring without any accident, the statistics struck mercilessly in the final NLS round. Both Zimmermann Porsches could not start after training accidents.
2nd RCN run: Class wins
The Swiss GT3 driver Feller gained his first experience on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife at the second RCN event. He started in the V6 class with the Zimmermann-Porsche Cayman S, won the class with aplomb and took the overall victory in race two. Erik Braun competed with the Zimmermann-Porsche 718 Cayman in the VT3 class for testing purposes for brake discs and pads from Zimmerman. In the end, there was the second class victory.
3rd RCN round: Class victory
The third RCN event took place as part of the ADAC 24h qualifying race. Mathol Racing completed a functional test with the Zimmermann Porsche 718 Cayman S in the run-up to the ADAC 24h race. Fielenbach won the VT3 class and took victory in the production car classification.
5th RCN run: Solid performance
The Zimmermann Porsche Cayman S was driven by two drivers who wanted to take the Nordschleife Permit this season. At their first appearance at the Nürburgring, Patrick Steinmetz and Thomas Ruppert acquitted themselves respectably and took second place in the V6 class.
6th RCN round: Good placing at the Nürburgring
In the sixth RCN event, Mathol Racing fielded the reliable Zimmermann Porsche Cayman S. Steinmetz/Ruppert put in another strong performance at their second appearance and finished fourth in class.
7th RCN round: Good result
The weather was mixed at the seventh RCN event. Driving the Zimmermann Porsche Cayman S in the V6 class were again Steinmetz/Ruppert, who took the Nordschleife Permit they were aiming for. The duo impressed with third place in class at their third appearance.
ADAC 24h Race: Optimal performance of the Zimmermann Porsches
Mathol Racing entered two Zimmermann-Porsche Cayman in this year's 24h race at the Nürburgring. The project with the small team turned out to be a maximum success: two class victories.
The Zimmermann-Porsche 718 Cayman S was driven in class VT3 by Weber, Rüdiger Schicht, Oliver Louisoder and Matthias Trinius. The Zimmermann-Porsche Cayman S in the V6 class was driven by Fielenbach, Wolfgang Kaufmann, Joannis Smyrlis and Weber. The two V-cars started their 24-hour journey from positions 80 and 81 in the 122-strong starting field.
The 24-hour race had to struggle heavily with the weather conditions. Heavy rain set in 30 minutes after the start, causing chaotic conditions on the track. Weber in the VT3 Cayman set a highlight at this time when he drove the car into the top50. After a good two hours, conditions improved, but fog moved into the Eifel in the evening. At 9:30 p.m., race control interrupted the race, at which point both Zimmermann Porsches were in the lead in their classes.
After a good 14-hour wait, the field resumed on Sunday morning. In the sprint over 3.5 hours, the Zimmermann Porsches were able to maintain their position and cross the finish line as class winners.