Kunák TQs Pro-Stock
Team Xray’s Zdenko Kunák claimed his first ever TQ in the Euro Touring Series when he ran the fastest 5-minutes of the weekend in the fourth & final round of qualifying this evening in Germany to put his T3 2012 on pole for tomorrow’s Pro-Stock A-Main. Pushed hard by the Awesomatix of Carsten Madsen, the Slovak driver took the round by just 6/10th of a second from the Dane to deny former race winner Oliver Franke from claiming his first TQ in the series.
A regular at ETS events, in which he competes in both the Xray Pro Stock and Ride Modified classes, Kunák was delighted at clinching his first TQ honour but says he expects a tough race tomorrow with Oliver Franke. Admitting that starting from pole position adds a little pressure he said he hopes to be able to take advantage of having a clean track in front of him.
The 18-year-old looked like he might pull off a surprise double in the final round of qualifying as he set the early pace in the top heat of Modified. Setting the pace he was to get it wrong on his sixth lap losing 7 seconds but thanks to strong runs in Q1 & Q3 he makes both A-Mains starting the Ride Modified A-Main from 10th.
While Ronald Volker wrapped up the overall TQ honours for the premier class in the third round of qualifying, Q4 would determine the order of the 9 drivers who would start behind the reigning champion. Despite a quick roll at the first corner on his opening lap, Volker made it four out of four. Having used the run to try a different set-up on his Yokomo the German said his car was ‘dialed’ and he could push it really hard allowing him to run a new fastest lap of 12.773. Catching his team-mate Yannic Prümper in the run, he said he opted not to pass him as he knew a good run was more important to the teenager.
Prümper set the third fastest time of the round which saw him scrape into the A-Main. Finishing on the same points as Kunák he will start 9th tomorrow. Having run Volker’s set-up in Q3 and found it not aggressive enough for his driving style, the former race winner decided to run it again as it made for a very safe car and that gamble was to pay off. Starting from the back of the grid and with little to lose by taking risks Prümper said he will switch back to a more aggressive set-up for tomorrow.
Setting the second fastest time of the closing qualifier Andy Moore was much happier with his Hot Bodies. Running less rear toe on the HPI Flux powered TCX he said it resulted in a huge improvement in how he could take the first corner at the end of the main straight although just like Volker the British Champion also had a quick roll there on his first lap which he said was just down to driver error. Admitting he is still some way off the pace of Volker and Rheinard he said he has his eye on a podium finish for tomorrow when he will start fourth behind Viktor Wilck. Hot Bodies are the best represented brand in the final with Freddy Südhoff and Dominik Fleischmann securing 7th & 8th respectively on the grid.
Behind Moore, Alexander Hagberg is the best placed Xray on the grid lining up in what is sure to be a disappointing fifth position for the determined Swede. Completing the Top 6, Christopher Krapp carries all the hope of Kyosho.
Ride Modified A-Main Grid
1. Ronald Völker (DE) – Yokomo/LRP – 310
2. Marc Rheinard (DE) – Tamiya/Speed Passion – 306
3. Viktor Wilck (SE) – Tamiya/Thunder Power – 304
4. Andy Moore (GB) – Hot Bodies/HPI Flux – 303
5. Alexander Hagberg – Xray/LRP – 303
6. Christopher Krapp (DE) – Kyosho/Orion – 302
7. Freddy Südhoff (DE) – Hot Bodies/LRP – 299
8. Dominik Fleischmann (DE) – Hot Bodies/LRP – 299
9. Yannic Prümper (DE) – Yokomo/Thunder Power – 298
10.Zdenko Kunák (SK) – Xray/LRP – 298
Xray Pro-Stock A-Main Grid
1. Zdenko Kunák (SK) – Xray – 310
2. Oliver Franke (DE) – Hot Bodies – 310
3. Carsten Madsen (DK) – Awesomatix – 305
4. Ivan Laptev (RU) – Awesomatix – 305
5. Martin Hofer (DE) – Schumacher – 303
6. Tony Streit (DE) – Xray – 302
7. Steffen Leinburger (DE) – Xray – 299
8. Daniel Wohlgemuth (DE) – Tamiya – 299
9. Philipp Hagnauer (CH) – Yokomo – 294
10.Michael Spiering (DE) – TOP – 293
View complete race results here.
View the event image gallery here.
