Driving force

Driving force

1 July 2020

TEENAGE motor racing sensation Daniel Harper has successfully tackled the world famous Nurburgring race circuit in Germany.

The 19 year-old from Annahilt drove the notoriously difficult 13-mile track for the first time when he made his debut outing in the Nurburgring Endurance Series with the BMW Junior Team.

Afterwards he described it as an “invaluable learning experience,” despite an unfortunate technical problem which meant he couldn’t contest the race itself.

Harper, who has enjoyed a meteoric rise in motorsport was announced as a member of the coveted BMW Junior Team programme in January.

He was completing an extensive pre-season training schedule when the coronavirus pandemic led to the postponement of the programme in March.

At the start of June, he returned to Germany and last week he drove the Nurburgring — scene of some of motor racing’s greatest feats — as he successfully completed his DMSB permit test for the track.

For the opening race event, Harper and his team-mates shared a BMW M240i Racing, the German manufacturer’s potent, entry-level car. This starts their progression up BMW’s ladder of cars, with races planned in an M4 GT4 and M6 GT3.

After completing free practice sessions on Friday around both the Grand Prix circuit and the Nordschleife, Harper tackled qualifying in mixed conditions on Saturday.

Unfortunately, however, he ended up on the wrong tyres as the circuit dried.

He and his team-mates’ challenge in the four-hour race was unfortunately over within the first 30 minutes after a technical problem resulted in the car coming off track and touching the barrier.

Harper said afterwards: “Naturally it’s a shame how the race went in the end, but after months away from a race track, it felt so good to be back at a circuit, in the paddock and competing as part of the prestigious BMW Junior Team for the first time.

“While I’ve done hundreds of laps of the Nordschleife on a simulator, nothing prepares you for taking to the circuit for the first time.

“It was an absolute thrill and I feel I’ve made some progress, despite only getting in five laps during practice and qualifying.”

He added: “The last couple of weeks since returning to Germany have been a great experience, working closely with BMW and my team-mates.

“We’ve all learnt a lot in a short period of time and we’ll be working hard to make sure we are better for the next round.”

Harper’s progress in the Nurburgring Endurance Series continues in two weeks’ time over the weekend of July 11-12.