The Setra M3-R is back, and this time in less-than-flattering form. It’s always tough determining when the right moment to pass is, since closely-matched opponents with similar cars are always going to find themselves searching for an opening. Sometimes after a long, hard pursuit, a glimpse of a chance can seem probable, since a driver can be tired and their ability to weigh risk is diminished. Sometimes they get away with it, but sometimes they push a bit too hard and make a mess of it.

Big slicks and a rear wing give the M3 some grip, but one can only brake so late.

Not to take away from the stellar driving Inge Hansesætre is capable of, but unfortunately, his hard charge here ends in a frustrating error. Pursuing a powerful C6 Corvette in the picturesque racetrack of Valerbanen in Braskereidfoss, Norway, the M3-R struggles to match the big-bore Chevy on the straights. This forces Inge to use a combination of left-foot braking and sideways driving to hustle the corners and keep the slower-cornering ‘Vette from walking off into the distance.

Inge’s masterful car control was not enough to keep him out of trouble this time.

He does a masterful job of covering ground, and is clearly the faster car, but there’s no denying the Corvette has a serious power advantage, and that allows it to cruise away whenever Inge presents himself. Perhaps somewhat frustrated with the discrepancy in torque and the unrewarded runs Inge is getting, he goes for a low-percentage move. At the end of a short straight, he notices the Corvette braking somewhat early, and goes to the outside to try a daredevil, late-braking maneuver that ends in frustration. It’s an instance of pushing a bit too hard, and it happens to the best of us, but it’s never fun – especially when an oil cooler gets smashed in the process.