From 2016, the ‘Glickenhaus Trophy’ will be awarded on a yearly basis, to the driver who sets the fastest Nordschleife lap time in qualifying for the 24 Hour race.
The trophy has been donated by James Glickenhaus, who fell for the special magic of the circuit and its greatest race many years ago.
“If you come to the Nürburgring and walk to the paddock, you go past a wall with some of the great names in motorsport, and that’s the moment when you realise that you are entering sacred ground,” he says. “It’s a very special and wonderful place. Here, we as a small Italo-American team have the chance of competing with manufacturers that can look back on an incredible tradition and history. We are so lucky that the organisers created these regulations.”
To honour those men and women who meet the challenge represented by the most difficult racetrack in the world, Glickenhaus has donated the trophy on which the driver who secured the pole and his lap time will be engraved, from this year onwards.
The donation was enthusiastically welcomed by the race organisers. “This idea says a lot about the outstanding attractiveness of both the race and the circuit,” said race director Walter Hornung. “We embraced the idea with delight and are happy about this initiative.” To underline the meaning of the new trophy and inspire the drivers for their crucial kilometres, the Glickenhaus Trophy will be showcased prior to the top 30 qualifying session on Friday.
When Walter Hornung waves his flag so send the drivers out for their two flying laps, the trophy will be placed on a special podium at the home straight. Right after the top 30 qualifying, during the pole position press conference this evening, the winner will be presented with the trophy by James Glickenhaus himself. “It’s an honour and a privilege to be able to do so,” said Glickenhaus, who is enjoying a very special experience today and tomorrow.
He will be driving his Ferrari P330 P4 Chassis number 0846 – the inspiration behind the Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina, which in turn influenced the P4/5C MkIII – for two displays on the Nordschleife on Friday and Saturday mornings, having been granted special dispensation from the race organisers to drive the circuit. This famous car won the 1967 Daytona 24 Hours, and forms part of endurance racing history.
As for the P4/5C MkIII itself, it will be taking no further part in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, as the damage sustained in an accident during this morning’s qualifying session has proved to be too great to repair on the spot.
Consequently, Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus will be taking the start with just the two examples of the SCG003C, numbered 701 and 702.
