Circuit Zolder. Rounds 3 & 4 of the current season in the Pfister-Racing Touring Car Challenge (PRTC) were held at Circuit Zolder (BEL) on April 26-27, 2024. This venue is 3.977 km long and steeped in tradition. Formula 1 races were even held there between 1973 and 1984.

True to the series motto "real cars, real racing," both ambitious youngsters and experienced "gentleman drivers" took to the starting field to once again compete against each other in the PRTC. Germany, the USA and Switzerland were represented in terms of driver nationalities.

“After a promising start to the season at the Hockenheimring, we look forward to the next round of races at Circuit Zolder. The front positions are contested, and there are several drivers who have a chance at the podium – we’ve got our fingers crossed. Good luck to all the drivers!” said series organizer Andreas Pfister before the start of the racing weekend.

Changing weather conditions also featured at races 3 & 4 in Zolder

After the first free training session on Friday, the touring car drivers went into the important qualifying session on Saturday to earn their position on the starting grid. Although the weather on Friday was still mostly dry, the conditions for the qualifying session were mixed again on Saturday morning with some showers.

It was especially important for the drivers to get their racing cars over the finish line safely – all three sessions took place on Saturday, which meant that there was very little time for repairs.

Rookie Felix Müller takes second pole position of the season

Felix Müller (GER, Deggenhausertal) was the best at managing the wet conditions – his lap time of 2:17:903 allowed him to secure the second pole position of the season ahead of Patrick Röthlisberger (CHE, Langnau).

Andreas Schundiak (GER, Weiden) finished third ahead of Marcalis Shinaul (USA, Nuremberg) and Claus Gramlich (GER, Frankfurt).

Second race weekend, second pole position: Felix Müller (GER)

Drying conditions in the first race and “Full Course Yellow” phase help

Andreas Schundiak with his first victory of the season

As usual, the PRTC fans on the stands and at home watching the live stream were not disappointed by the first race of the day. On the drying race track, Andreas Schundiak grew faster from lap to lap.

At the start of the race, when the asphalt was still slippery, Patrick Röthlisberger showed his talent and joined the fray in the battle for first position. He had done well once the race got underway thanks to the rolling “Indianapolis Start,” and he could make fast times straight away. In these mixed racing conditions, the PRTC racing cars with the TOYO TIRES R888R semi-slicks were ideally equipped for the road.

However, he had to contend with a strong Felix Müller and Andreas Schundiak. The track allowed more grip from lap to lap and was almost completely dried off. Müller initially took the lead, but had to hand it over to Andreas Schundiak.

After laps of duels and wheel-to-wheel action, Andreas Schundiak prevailed in the lead ahead of Felix Müller. Claus Gramlich managed to get a good position lower down the board and pushed himself to 4th in front of Marcalis Shinaul. Pascal Fiedler (GER, Reinhardshagen) also put on a good show in the CUPRA Ibiza V1 Cup racing car and established himself between the CHEVROLET Cruze Eurocup racing cars.

Moment of shock after the finish: Andreas Schundiak wins after revoked penalty

After a spirited race, Schundiak was the first to cross the finish line just before Müller. But then there was a brief moment of shock for him: The race management had issued a 5-second penalty for speeding in the FCY phase. However, this penalty was then revised, and Andreas Schundiak was the winner of the race in front of Müller and Röthlisberger.

Schundiak secures victory in second race 0.6 seconds ahead of Müller

After the action from the first race, the drivers had only a short time to keep their concentration for the second race, since this took place just two hours later. This time Andreas Schundiak started from the first position ahead of Felix Müller and Patrick Röthlisberger.

Once the race got underway, Schundiak took the lead, but with Felix Müller in his rear-view mirror from the very start, he had a fight on his hands.

Patrick Röthlisberger was able to keep up at the beginning, but then had to pull back a little, and managed a safe third position ahead of Claus Gramlich and Marcalis Shinaul.

Although Andreas Schundiak had to change his racing line several times to keep Felix Müller behind him, he still kept his nerve. Andreas Schundiak’s faultless performance kept him at the front and he managed to drive his second victory of the season with a close 0.6 second lead over Felix Müller. The latter was able to take the PRTC Championship lead, however.

Andreas Schundiak VS. Felix Müller was the head-to-head battle of the weekend

Felix Müller is now heading to the Salzburgring with 30 points for the next season races in September. But Andreas Schundiak (29 points) and Patrick Röthlisberger (26 points) are not far behind the young German.

PRTC fans are already looking forward to lots of “real cars” and “real racing” as the season progresses.