Challenge Scootthole
Project Paul at the 10-hour race in Magny-Cours
Finally it was time again! After what felt like an eternity, in which various long-distance races had to be canceled, the loaded Team Scotthole on September 12th to 10-hour race to Magny-Cours a. Full of anticipation, we followed from Paul project - in addition to about 30 other teams - their call.
A lot of time has passed since the last race, time that team boss Dennis has not wasted. So he devoted himself - with great support from Scooter Center - the construction of a completely new racing scooter, the sixth Paul since the formation of the team in 2015. The former PLC-Racer, a V50, with which Andy had already started in the ESC for years, served as the basis. Disassembled into its individual parts, the scooter was rebuilt from scratch and equipped with a lot of power. After a day of testing on the test bench, Paul number 6 with starting number 6 was ready for his race in France.
On Saturday, the day before the race, there was a lot on the program. In addition to the construction of the pit and the technical acceptance, the final adjustments had to be made during the training runs before qualifying, in which we actually ended up in first place - the test was passed, the race could come!
Exciting 10 hours in Magny-Cours
The alarm clock rang early on Sunday morning. The closer the race got, the more the stage fright increased - not only among the drivers, it simply infects everyone. So off to the track, which Paul woke up and Felix put in the station wagon. Up to this point everything went smoothly. About ten minutes before the start - we were already in position - we noticed with Paul that he was "leaving it to himself" ... Without thinking long and losing unnecessary time, we went back to the pits. The reason could be found quickly: a screw on the clutch cover was not properly tightened. Fortunately, no big deal, just the ten minutes left before it started was not enough to fix the problem. So the start took place without Paul, who only took up the chase half a lap later with Felix. Starter after starter, the two began to roll up the field from behind. Arrived at position 17, bad luck caught up with us again when the membrane plate flew around our ears. The associated stay in the pits cost us six places, so we took up the chase again from 23rd place.
Arrived in 14th place, the rubber carburetor thought that this would be a good time to make the number a little more exciting and spontaneously parted with the carburetor. Driver Andreas was forced to push Paul off the track into the already familiar pit. Equipped with an additional clamp, it went back into the race to make up for lost places. And this time it should work! Team by team and round by round, Andreas, Felix, Thomas, Andy and Wolfi worked their way up to Place 1! For the remaining one and a half hours we had to “only” defend it - no easy task, because we didn't get anything for free from the French team “Superbordel”. The drivers, who are also very strong, always came close to us with their fast PK. Now just don't make a mistake ...
The (planned) last driver change took place 40 minutes before the finish line. Andy was able to hold his position, and Andreas started the last stint when the red light came on less than ten minutes later. Termination of the race. All drivers from the pits. But where was Andreas? The ambulance and service car sprinted onto the track towards a part that was not visible from the pits. Minutes passed, puffed up like chewing gum. The ambulance left the route first and drove straight through to the medical supply room, followed by the service car loaded with our number 6. Our hearts stopped for a moment. Part of the team ran straight away to inquire about Andreas, the others ran to the service car. Andy still had his station wagon on and grabbed his helmet while Dennis, Thomas and Felix Paul checked briefly and started again. The drivers of the other teams were right next to us in the starting position and were waiting to be let out on the track again. Andy lined up, it could actually go on! We were still in the lead with a good two laps gap, and Andy crossed the finish line with Paul in first place after a nerve-wracking ten hours!
With the award ceremony, that has been beneficial for Project Paul so far most exciting racing weekend a happy ending, because Andreas was also able to attend - despite severe pain in his shoulder - and receive his very own trophy: with a time of He has the fastest lap in 1.29.3 minutes burned into the asphalt!
We thank the Scooter Center, which supports us with the parts supply at all times, as well as our supporters KR Automation, Egig Performance and FalkR, without whom the construction of such a vehicle would not have been possible without further ado. We would also like to thank the organizer, who realized this great event despite adverse circumstances, and of course all the other teams for a fair race! It is always a great honor for us to be able to share this passion with friends. Thanks a lot for this!
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