Volker ups the pace in Q2
Ronald Volker continued his reign at the top of the times sheets here in the Czech Republic getting Day 2 underway with another TQ run. The Yokomo lead driver set a new fastest heat of 25 laps in 5:07.984 knocking 3.5 seconds off yesterday’s Q1 topping run. The European Champion, who will defend his Indoor title here next February, said his BD5 felt the the same on the last lap as it did on the first. Volker said his mechanic Yukijiro Umino changed the timing of the tyre additive based on the feedback he gave him from Q1 and this made the car super consistent.
Defending Champion Marc Rheinard once again had to settle for the second spot with a time that was 2 seconds off his big rival. The Tamiya Racing Factory team leader said the new TRF417 was ok but he did not drive very well catching the corner dots a number of times. Despite the front of his bodyshell rubbing, the German, who is busy testing a range of additives in preparation for the launch of his own indoor additive, was able to post the fastest lap of the weekend so far with a 12.143. His team-mate Viktor Wilck, who struggled badly in the opening qualifier, looked more competitive in Q2 managing fifth. The Swede went back to the basic set-up for the new car this morning which helped a little but says he needs to find something big as the car is still too slow.
Hot Bodies driver Freddy Sudhoff was third for the round after swapping times with Team Xray’s Alexander Hagberg. Happier with his driving today, the German changed the timing of the additive on the controlled Xenon tyres which improved the overall feel of his TCX but at the cost of creating a litte understeer. He plans to make a slight adjustment to his set-up for Q3 to give himself a little steering back.
Making it four different manufacturers at the top of the time sheets Hagberg was again happy with his LRP powered T3’11. The newly crowned Nordic Champion described his car as very easy to drive but a small mistake on lap 15 cost him a place. The Swede plans to make a few small changes for his next outing to see if they can get a little more corner speed. Team-mate Teem Leino matched his opening run with another sixth fastest run.
Former European Championship Top Qualifier Steven Weiss had another strong showing at the controls of his TOP Racing Photon setting the eight fastest time behind the Yokomo of team driver Yannic Prumper. Making his first ETS appearance of the new season Kyosho factory driver Christopher Krapp completed the Top 10.
In the Xray Pro-Stock class Team Yokomo’s Martin Hofer posted a TQ run ahead of Martin Lissau while Q1 pace setter Eric Dankel put his Xray on its roof. Hofer said a change from CS to LRP additive made his BD5 much better and it was now down to him to make the most of the package by driving it. Lissau was also happier with his car saying he was ‘starting to get there now’. Switching back to a ball diff in the rear of his Tamiya and swapping the spool for a gear diff, the Danish racer found it much more consistent and says the one second margin between him and Hofer was simply down to less than perfect driving.
The winner here in Hrotovice last season Daniel Wohlgemuth, like Hofer, switched additive along with running harder shock oil which gave him a ‘very good’ car. After a poor opening qualifier the German’s start order for the heat meant he had to pass a number of cars which he feels cost him time but he was still able for the third fastest time which will help him in Q3. 11th fastest for the Round Eric Dankel said his roll was a silly mistake, the Xray driver running too hard over a corner and launching his T3’11 on to its roof. Once on four wheels the championship leader posted a new fastest lap for the track of 12.977.
Full results can be found here.
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