Podium finishing Nurburgring Endurance Series racer Brett Lidsey has spoken of his immense disappointment at the cancellation of the final three rounds of the 2020 season, although the British driver is still reflecting positively on a highly successful maiden campaign in European competition.

As a result of tightened restrictions in Germany, and across Europe, which have been put in place to try and suppress the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Nurburgring Endurance Series organisers moved to cancel the most recent round of the Nurburgring-Nordschleife based category.

Now, the final two races of the season – which were scheduled to be contested at a double-header event this coming weekend, 7th/8th November – have also been cancelled, meaning Kent racer Lidsey’s 2020 racing campaign has reached a premature conclusion.

“It’s so disappointing the last three races of the year have been cancelled and the season ended early, especially as the organisers of the Nurburgring Endurance Series had been doing a great job with their COVID-19 compliance”, said the Northfleet driver.

“I do understand and appreciate the very difficult decisions which have had to be taken, but it doesn’t make the disappointment any less – especially as we had such good momentum after taking our first podium of the season in the last race at the end of August.”

Right from the start of the rescheduled season in late June, Lidsey gelled with his rear-wheel drive Sorg Rennsport-run BMW M240i and he and team-mates Ivan Berets and Kevin Wolters challenged for a class podium in the opening four-hour race. Frustratingly, sensor failure led to retirement.

Two weeks later, the trio had to settle for an 11th place result in the second round but in round three the following day a season-best fourth position was their reward for a great performance. At the start of August, in round four, Lidsey and Berets – now without Wolters – charged to another top four finish with the podium getting ever closer.

Round five, the biggest race of the season at an extended six hours, was the real breakthrough with Lidsey, Berets and Moran Gott – drafted in for the longer duration encounter – racing brilliantly to a richly deserved second position, despite an unfortunate traction control problem late on.

In terms of qualifying pace too, Lidsey really did come to the fore as the season progressed. Securing his maiden front-row class start in only his second Nurburgring Endurance Series event, the Liftout and Dornack backed racer repeated the performance the next time out in round four qualifying.  

“It’s been an amazing first season for me in the series, I was pleased with how quickly I adapted to the rear-wheel drive BMW and it was fantastic working with the Sorg Rennsport guys who did an awesome job with the car”, reflected Lidsey.

“We made fantastic progress, Ivan [Berets] and I worked really well together as team-mates all season and our first podium, with the help of Moran [Gott] of course, was incredible. I really do think, if the last three races had gone ahead, the first win was only a matter of time.”

He added: “I must say a huge thank you to my sponsors, Liftout and Dornack, for helping to make this season happen. I really have enjoyed every minute of racing at the Nordschleife this year and I definitely want to be back in 2021 – we’ve got some major unfinished business!”