Volker opens qualifying with TQ run
Qualifying for the Xenon Modified class got underway this morning with Ronald Volker taking the first TQ run here in Kastellaun, German. The Yokomo ace ended the five minute run well clear of the opposition with Freddy Sudhoff just over 5 seconds adrift with the second fastest time. Volker said it was definitely a good way to start the day but admitted his car was still difficult to drive and he was having to drive a very fine line which on this occasion was possible as he faced no pressure from other drivers during the heat. Despite the car being loose the Indoor European Champion plans to stick with the current set-up for Q2.
‘Not expected but a perfect start’ was how Sudhoff described his opening qualifier. The Hot Bodies driver said his LRP powered TCX was a little difficult to drive but the end result was it was fast. The German plans to run a thicker shock oil all round for Q2. Making it a very competitive start to the opening event of the ETS for Hot Bodies Dominik Fleischmann set the third fastest time.
Pitting next to Sudhoff, Fleischmann is running the same set-up as his fellow German, the only difference between the two cars being that his car is fitted with a Spec-R gear diff. A long time Hot Bodies driver Fleischmann said the car was pretty good and consistent driving was important as track conditions mean the car is on the edge of traction rolling all the time. Planning to run the same set-up for his next heat he will continue to concentrate on his driving.
Fourth was the best defending Champion Marc Rheinard could manage, the Tamiya team leader making two mistakes. Leaving the track on one occasion, the 3 time World Champion described his TRF416 as OK but is struggling with it getting loose off throttle. His Tamiya/Speedpassion team-mate Viktor Wilck set the fastest lap for the opening round of qualifying but also had an off and had to settle for 6th behind Associated’s Juho Levanen who he was trying to pass when he had his off.
Levanen, who needed medical attention yesterday after getting superglue in his eyes, said his Reedy powered TC6 is working really well. The Finn said he got his tyre prep wrong and he sauced the controlled Xenon tyres too early, something he will change for Q2.
French National Champion and European finalist Loic Jasmin took his Orion powered Tamiya to seventh ahead of Hot Bodies’ Andy Moore who suffered a broken diff during the run. French Losi star driver Lucas Urbain was a frustrated ninth fastest after traffic cost him a possible Top 4 run. Danish driver Steen Graversen completing the top 10 with Alexander Hagberg the fastest of the Xray team in 11th followed by team-mate Teemu Leino and Junior European Indoor Champion Adrian Berntsen.
Xenon Modified Top 10 – Q1
1. Ronald Völker (DE) – Yokomo/LRP – 30/5:00.713
2. Frederik Südhoff (DE) – HB/LRP – 30/5:05.820
3. Dominik Fleischmann (DE) – HB/LRP – 30/5:06.743
4. Marc Rheinard (DE) – Tamiya/SP – 30/5:07.028
5. Juho Levanen (FI) – Associated/Reedy – 30/5:07.297
6. Viktor Wilck (SE) – Tamiya/SP – 30/5:08.158
7. Loic Jasmin (FR) – Tamiya/Orion – 30/5:08.465
8. Andy Moore (GB) – HB/Moore Speed – 30/5:08.471
9. Lucas Urbain (FR) – Losi/SP – 30/5:08.806
10.Steen Graversen (DK) – Tamiya/SP – 30/5:09.812
Full event results are available on MyRCM.
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