Interview with tankpool24 Team Manager: "Wulf Gaertner Autoparts is an innovative partner who supplies much technical know-how"

Hamburg, 29 April 2015. The manufacturer of MEYLE and MEYLE-HD parts, Wulf Gaertner Autoparts AG, is once again the technical partner for the "tankpool24" and "CEPSA" teams in the 2015 FIA European Truck Racing Championship (FIA ETCR). As it did last year, the company from Hamburg will be supporting the teams as their supplier of brake discs and brake pads. In an interview, Markus Bauer, Team Manager of the tankpool24 team, explains how the collaboration works.

Mr. Bauer, you have entered into a technical partnership with the manufacturer of the MEYLE and MEYLE-HD brands for the 2015 FIA European Truck Racing Championship, what does that mean?

Markus Bauer: Our team is the last remaining private team driving in the FIA ETRC without any works support. As a resultwe are completely reliant on ourselves. For example, that means we develop, build and modify our drivetrain entirely under own steam. This is a very complex procedure as we are unable to use standard parts, particularly for the engine. The advantage, on the other hand, is that we are not subject to the specifications of any manufacturer and have more room for manoeuvre as a result. We see our sponsors - such as Wulf Gaertner Autoparts - not as financiers or parts suppliers but as sparring partners who also support us with know-how to help us have a successful season.

What characterises the partnership with Wulf Gaertner Autoparts?

Markus Bauer: The MEYLE brand stands for outstanding quality and a high level of engineering skill. Our engineers are in constant contact with the company's technicians in their role as technical partners to the tankpool24 racing team. At the beginning, we were very surprised by how quickly, flexibly and expertly the company's staff responded to our requests and suggestions. The contact is very close now and we have developed a very friendly relationship.

You use MEYLE brake discs and brake pads in both racing trucks. What are the advantages of MEYLE brake parts in your experience?

Markus Bauer: After last season we can say quite clearly that the combination of Meyle brake disks and pads exceeded our expectations with regard to stability and braking performance.

You are backing a talented young driver in the shape of André Kursim. How do you assess his last season and what is your outlook for the 2015 season?

Markus Bauer: It was extremely important for André to drive for a whole season in order to get know the circuits and the vehicle. The basic rule of truck racing is that a driver needs at least a year to get used to the special circumstances. The fact that we are now using two vehicles should help André as we are in a better position to compare data.

Your second driver this season is Roland Rehfeld. Can you tell us something about him briefly? What do you expect from him for the 2015 season?

Markus Bauer: I know Roland from the 2001 season when he drove for me in what was then the Super Race Classification. Roland is an all-rounder who has already driven in all motorsport categories. In addition to his motor-racing activities, he also works as a driving instructor, for the AMG Driving Academy among others. I think we will be able to take a big stride forward with his wealth of experience and his professional methods.

Finally we would like to ask you for a quick assessment: what can fans of the tankpool24 team look forward to this season?

Markus Bauer: That is hard to predict as the underlying conditions will change for 2015. However I hope we will be able to establish ourselves in the upper half of the table and that we will be good for one or two surprises.