Devin Braune successfully defended his World eX title with a dominant victory on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife while Bodo Kräling clinched the AM-class title after a nail-biting battle with Thomas Voigt.
With 15 wins and eight pole positions, game developer Devin Braune was once again the outstanding driver of the season and the clear favourite for the all-deciding Super Final on the famous Nordschleife. Nevertheless, the 27-year-old did not want to accept premature congratulations. “Something can always happen on the Nordschleife,” said Braune.
But nothing happened – at least not in the fight for overall victory. Braune entered the Nordschleife with a large lead after a perfect start and, as expected, was able to pull further and further ahead. Only Chris Overend initially remained in sight, but after a contact with the barriers at the “Bergwerk” section, the gap increased. After three laps, the deficit was almost 24 seconds.
Jarno Wiese finished third despite losing three positions on the opening lap due to an off at Aremberg. The young German kart racer managed to regain all three places on Lap 1.
Behind them, a spectacular battle for the title in the AM category raged. Bodo Kräling was the clear favourite after his strong season with twelve class victories and fifth place overall. But Thomas Voigt, who snatched the title from Kräling in the last turn of the Super Final last year, did not give up. He passed Kräling’s team mate Frank Enger on the Grand Prix circuit and took the class lead when Kräling spun in the Breidscheid section.
After two mistakes by Voigt in Hatzenbach and at the Flugplatz, Kräling retook the lead at the start of Lap 2. However, his pursuer did not give up and kept the pressure on, particularly in the final sector of the final lap. The fact that Steffen Walter lost pace right in front of Kräling complicated the situation. Nevertheless, the motorsport photographer kept his nerve and crossed the finish line one second ahead of his rival. “I’m very happy to have clinched the AM title,” said Kräling, celebrating. “All in all, it was a great season.”
Julius Martin showed a fair gesture. The runner-up in the overall standings forfeited his place on the front row of the grid due to computer problems, so as not to endanger any other driver. “Besides, I didn’t have time to practice the Nordschleife,” said the three-time World eX Champion. “I wouldn’t have had a chance anyway. But I still wanted to be part of the Super Final.”
The World eX Super Final only defines the Champions while all other positions are settled in the regular season.
A total of 110 trees will be planted by Racing For The Climate e.V. on behalf of the World eX participants. Each eX Prix participation adds one tree.
2024 World eX Super Final Results
1 #42 Devin BRAUNE (PRO/Rocket Simsport) 3 laps in 19:42.991
2 #46 Chris OVEREND (PRO/T17 E-Speed) + 23.914
3 #18 Jarno WIESE (PRO/WIWI Racing Team) + 31.953
4 #3 Bodo KRÄLING (AM/bspowersports) + 41.284
5 #7 Thomas VOIGT (AM/tv racing) + 42.546
6 #17 Steffen WALTER (PRO/T17 E-Speed) + 43.263
7 #65 Frank ENGER (AM/bspowersports) + 1:03.286
8 #94 Julius MARTIN (PRO/Martin Racing Team) + 1:44.322
9 #102 Jennifer SCHAMEY (AM/RCCO Guest Driver) + 4:11.202
Fastest lap: #42 Devin BRAUNE (PRO/Rocket Simsport) 6:32.353 (New Track Record)
Final Standings after 10 Rounds
1 #42 Devin BRAUNE (PRO/Rocket Simsport) 252
2 #94 Julius MARTIN (PRO/Martin Racing Team) 136
3 #46 Chris OVEREND (PRO/T17 E-Speed) 127
4 #17 Steffen WALTER (PRO/T17 E-Speed) 113
5 #3 Bodo KRÄLING (AM/bspowersports) 106
6 #18 Jarno WIESE (PRO/WIWI Racing Team) 91
7 #43 Markus MARTIN (PRO/Martin Racing Team) 82
8 #71 Nicolas HILLEBRAND (PRO/Biela Racing Team EURONICS) 48
9 #4 Björn SKOTTKE (AM/bspowersports) 47
10 #65 Frank ENGER (AM/bspowersports) 42
11 #7 Thomas VOIGT (AM/tv racing) 37
12 #96 Patrik BARBULESCU (AM/tv racing) 25
13 #88 Alessandro OTTAVIANI (PRO) 24
14 #8 Johannes MEINCK (AM/Martin Racing Team) 21
15 #23 Dominik HEUSSEN (AM/T17 E-Speed) 9
16 #21 Jurgen VAN BERGEN (PRO/Race Clutch) 4
17 #14 Yvonne HOUFFELAAR (AM/United Sim Team) 2
18 #85 Hamish EASENER (PRO/Hamish Easener Racing) 2
