ADAC Northern Europe Cup enters home straight

• Hockenheimring hosts sixth ADAC NEC race weekend
• Tense battle in the Standard class
• GP Class: Dupasquier and Georgi have some catching up to do

Munich/Hockenheim: After two thrilling races at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben, there is more ADAC Northern Europe Cup action this weekend (23rd - 25th September) at Hockenheim. The riders in the Standard and GP classes have one more race to contest on the 3,692-metre track at Hockenheimring before moving on to the grand finale of the ADAC NEC just one week later (30th September - 2nd October) at Assen in the Netherlands.

The ADAC NEC race weekend begins with a 20-minute free practice session on Friday 23rd September at 11:05 CEST. The second free practice is scheduled for the afternoon at 14:25. Saturday starts with the first of two 25-minute qualifying sessions at 09:25, the second commencing at 15:15. After a warm-up at 10:00 on Sunday morning, the ADAC Northern Europe Cup Moto3 race itself starts at 13:45 and is contested over a distance of 16 laps.

Geiger highly motivated for home race

The weekend will be extra special for Dirk Geiger (14, GER) from Mannheim. He currently leads the Standard class on 117 points and regards the Hockenheimring as his home track. The ADAC Sports Foundation protégé is excited by the prospect: “I like the track at Hockenheim a lot and am especially pleased to be competing in my home race this weekend. I’m trying to get myself well prepared.” The Kiefer Racing Team rider has a 13-point lead over second-placed Simon Jespersen (15 DEN): “I always give it everything I’ve got. Also, I try not to think about the championship. I simply aim to be at the front in every race and to get good results.”

However, Jespersen put in an exceptionally strong performance last weekend at Oschersleben and is now snapping at Geiger’s heels. Kevin Orgis (16, GER) is currently third on 96 points and Matthias Meggle (16, GER) is fourth on 94. These two riders not only compete in the ADAC NEC but also in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. Because the two competitions coincide this weekend, they will be absent from Hockenheim.

GP: Dupasquier and Georgi poised to close the gap

Ernst Dubbink (27, NED) leads the GP class on 103 points. However, the Dutchman is forced to miss out on Hockenheim for personal reasons. Jason Dupasquier (15, SUI), who is currently placed second on 77 points, and Tim Georgi (16, GER) in third on 75 therefore have a golden opportunity to make up ground on Dubbink.

“I have fond memories of the Hockenheimring because it’s where I won the ADAC Junior Cup powered by KTM in 2014,” says ADAC Sports Foundation protégé Georgi. “Last season, though, I had some bad luck there. Despite that, I’m determined to win the race and to do a lot to work on the setup of my bike.”