An Eichenrieder Mustang sweeps through Europe

Created: 01/08/2023, 10:00 am

By: Dieter Priglmeir

The flying Mustang: The vehicle races across the track at 285 things.

The spectators are excited.

60,000 people are expected at the Hockenheimring.

© fotoharry.de

Franz Aschenbrenner's travel plan for 2023: Scandinavia, France and the race in front of 60,000 spectators in Hockenheim.

Eichenried

– Preparations for a race take weeks.

Getting there is not always easy either.

And sometimes the event even falls through completely.

And all this for eight quick seconds?

Well, eight very quick seconds.

Because Franz Aschenbrenner brings his Ford Mustang to 285 km/h within 400 meters.

Because that's the appeal of drag racing, the acceleration race over the quarter mile, in which the former Eichenried motorcycle racer and multiple Erdinger "Sportsman of the Year" fell in love.

His Ford Mustang Mach 1 puts 1350 hp on the track.

So that the cars can be steered at all, the race tracks consist of a rubber layer with an adhesive coating.

"Otherwise the tires would bolt on normal roads," explains Aschenbrenner.

The Super Pro ET, for which Aschenbrenner is at the start,

is the cheaper variant of racing and at least reasonably affordable for the racing driver who works full-time as a project manager.

A difficult season lies behind him.

In 2022, after a forced two-year break, an international championship in drag racing took place again.

But Aschenbrenner was only able to contest three races and won one of them.

But that's not the only reason why Aschenbrenner is looking forward to the new challenges.

We spoke to him.

But that's not the only reason why Aschenbrenner is looking forward to the new challenges.

We spoke to him.

But that's not the only reason why Aschenbrenner is looking forward to the new challenges.

We spoke to him.

Mr. Aschenbrenner, why did you only take part in three races in 2022?

These were mainly financial reasons.

Since we had a lot of private expenses, such as the renovation of the house, the budget was tight.

But that was basically the plan, after the break a lot happened technically.

For example?

The car is once again adapted to the regulations.

The tubular frame has to be changed and a new underbody fitted.

Otherwise, nothing will change on the car.

During the corona-related break, we brought everything into shape anyway and also completely rebuilt the engine.

So a few test races were certainly not the worst idea to get everything under control and to develop a certain routine again.

Planning for the new season is now underway.

Ready for new titles: Franz Aschenbrenner and the Ford Mustang Mach, which has 1350 hp under the hood.

So that the cars can be steered at all, the racetracks consist of a rubber coating with an adhesive coating.

"Otherwise the tires would bolt on normal roads," explains Aschenbrenner.

© Private

Where will we see the Mustang?

A big tour to Scandinavia with a race in Norway and directly afterwards in Sweden is planned for this season.

The proven track in Rivanazzano - that's near Genoa - hasn't been at the desired level since Corona.

That's why we drivers have to look around for alternatives.

And where are they?

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Fancy a voyage of discovery?

My space

Currently only in the north.

Or still in England.

Unfortunately, since Brexit, it is no longer so easy to drive to the island.

A carnet is required, i.e. a customs document stapled on several pages.

And then you stand forever at the border during clearance.

Hopefully a better solution will be found here soon.

Otherwise there are races in France and the home race at the end of August in Hockenheim at the Nitrolympx.

The season will not be cheap.

The tour to Scandinavia alone costs us almost 4000 euros in diesel, toll, ferry, etc. Unfortunately, despite the many successes, we currently have no sponsor who supports us financially.

It would be great if a company could be found that would at least pay for the diesel for the trip.

Every athlete is looking for sponsors.

What do you think makes your sport attractive for the sponsor - especially since a lot of fuel is blown out?

Of course, the issue of climate protection also plays a role for us, although motorsport with combustion engines probably doesn't go together with climate protection for outsiders.

However, I think you can contribute much more meaningfully in everyday life than with a hobby that you can only practice three months a year.

Many participants drive with methanol or ethanol anyway, i.e. more or less pure alcohol - biofuel, so to speak.

Our racing transporter, for example, is fully equipped with photovoltaics, we are completely self-sufficient when we are on the road.

What makes the sport attractive is definitely the action, the sound of the large-displacement V8 engines.

And it's a hands-on sport for the spectators.

How's that?

As a spectator, you can see the paddock and the cars and drivers directly at all races.

But the most important thing remains speed: In no other sport in the world is acceleration faster than in drag racing.

The number of viewers show that viewer interest is still unbroken.

60,000 people come to Hockenheim every year.

But being a drag racing sponsor means you have to do more than just buy a set of jerseys.

We have options for all budgets.

We have different packages for the sponsors: from the small sticker to the main sponsor.

In any case, there are still spaces available for sponsors on the racing car.

Honestly, you put a lot of money and heart and soul into this sport all year round, you make sacrifices and you cut back on your private life.

It would be nice to have a financial partner at your side so that you don't have to finance everything out of your own pocket.

It can't be due to success, I've won a few races since I started in 2016, and I was even able to win the European championship in my third year.

So you are European champion?

It is not an official championship organized by the FIA, i.e. the World Federation of Automobile Sports, but a privately organized one.

That's why the title of European Champion doesn't officially exist, even if it is to be regarded as such.

The drivers come to the races from all over Europe.

And my goal for 2023 is to bring the title back to Bavaria.

Is there a race calendar?

Yes, there is, but in this championship four races count towards the championship.

If you drive more and therefore have a better chance of getting good results, the worst races are canceled and don't count towards the championship.

This ensures that drivers do not necessarily have to drive across Europe to participate.

If you imagine, for example, that a driver from Spain or Italy has to go to Finland for a race, this is no longer feasible for 90 percent of the drivers, hence this regulation.

Aschenbrenner race schedule

June 24-25: Clastres (France)

July 29-30: Clastres

August 3-6: Gardemoen (Norway) August 10-13

: Tierp (Sweden)

August 25-27: Hockenheim August

8 .until 10 September: Rivanazzano (Italy)