Forced to rest and recuperate since his accident during Audi private testing at Sebring in March, Porsche factory driver Timo Bernhard, who is on loan to Audi, made his return to the paddock last weekend at the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife for a VLN race. He joined Romain Dumas behind the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 R of Manthey Racing with which he scored five prestigious 24 Hours of Nürburgring. The duo were joined by a regular championship driver, the German Jochen Krumbach.
Unfortunately, the trio's performance was cut short due to a mechanical problem. Romain Dumas had made a good start and was challenging for second place when he suffered a puncture. He returned to the pits and Timo Bernhard took over, but came to a halt at the side of the track less than an hour later.
The winner of the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours back behind the wheel with happiness: “After the accident I concentrated totally on my recovery from mid-April. Early in July my injuries were completely healed and I could embark on training specifically for motorsport. My doctors, my coach and I have worked hard and taken the right steps at the right time. I’m as fit and strong as before the accident."
Cecile Bonardel (quote from Porsche press release)
Photo: Braselton (GEORGIA, USA), Road Atlanta, PETIT LE MANS, September 30, 2011. With his friend Romain Dumas Timo Bernhard returned to the track after his injury.
