Nunn held off an attack from Apollo Racing to take the chequered flag, and crossed the finishing line to take Team Viking’s first top step on the podium.
After struggling to make headway at the previous three rounds, Team Viking enjoyed a stellar weekend of racing at the Dutch circuit of Zandvoort, ultimately walking away victorious from the two-race weekend after securing their first top step on the podium and a third place finish. The result has revived Team Viking’s bid for a long-awaited 2019 Fun Cup title.
It was a make or break weekend in Holland for the team, who were looking to fight back with a strong performance after a string of difficult races and disappointing results. Despite being pitched against some testing conditions at the Dutch circuit, Team Viking didn’t fail to deliver.
The driving team of Nick Nunn and Mark Holme were strong from the start of testing, where they battled with rain and 50mph winds. Nunn and Holme remained consistent from the start, sitting in the top five when the conditions were dry, and staying within the top eight in the wet.
Race 1 saw the team starting in second on the grid, in less slippery conditions as the previously rain-soaked track was dried by substantial cross winds. Nunn took the first stint for the three-hour race and kept up with the frontrunners, before dropping down into P6. Despite the early setback, he kept focused and remained just three seconds behind the lead car.
The team’s tactics were, however, solidly in place and when Nunn entered the pits the team were primed for a double refuel, saving them precious seconds later in the race.
Team Viking had dropped several places on re-entry to the track, but their early race tactics paid off when Nunn brought the car in, and Holme was sent out for the final stint. Their quick final pit saw Holme in first position, under pressure to retain the advantage. Holme responded and skilfully maintained position, but as time ran down, the Axiametrics car made a brave overtaking choice and managed to make it stick. Shortly after, Holme was overtaken once more by professional driver Harry Mailer, but was able to bring the car home third to claim Team Viking’s first podium of the 2019 season.
“Christ!” Holme exclaimed after the race. “I’ve never been in P1 in the final stint of a race before and all I could see were a pack of cars like hungry wolves hunting me down.”
For Race 2, Holme was to start, and the team maintained their strategy from Race 1. “The idea was to play the long game,” explained Holme. “We wanted to stay with on the lead lap and keep pace with the fast pack at the front.”
It was a pacey start to the race, which saw Team Viking drop from pole position to P7. But they stuck to the lead pack closely as planned, and throughout the three-hour race, Nunn and Holme drove precisely, managing to maintain their consistent lap times. The assertive drive was complemented by quick, coordinated pit stops – conclusive factors in the team’s success.
Their final stop was one of the fastest of the day, which saw Nunn re-join the race in P1. He kept his cool and defended his position with clinical, accurate driving. Nunn held off an attack from Apollo Racing to take the chequered flag, and crossed the finishing line to take Team Viking’s first top step on the podium.
“It was a fantastic weekend of racing, and keeps us in touch of the championship,” said Holme. “I’d like to thank Jack Didcock, our team manager and strategist, as well as our team technician Aaron Pugh, who prepped the car perfectly.”
Next up for Team Viking is the gruelling eight-hour race at Anglesey Circuit on Saturday 17 August.
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