Jan is back, Ratheisky does double at ETS Austria
Multiple former Pro Stock & Formula Champion Jan Ratheisky bounced back with a bang at the Euro Touring Series season opener in Austria today wrapping up a double victory in the second round of A-Main encounters. Securing his first pole position in over a season at the Vienna hosted race, the Xray driver ended a 9 race victory drought in Pro Stock thanks to a repeat of his dominant A1 performance. In Formula, the 4-time back to back champion’s last race win was more recent, the German had to work harder for the win in A2. The man who took the title off him last season, David Ehrbar pushed him hard with the duo swapping positions before Ratheisky found his way back passed the Serpent driver to win by half a second. With Ratheisky sitting out A3, Ehrbar would take the win to secure 2nd overall despite a strong challenge from Luke Lee, the British driver completing the Scorpion Power System Formula podium with his Xray.
In the Xray Pro Stock class, A3 was also about deciding who would stand each side of Ratheisky on the podium. Having been one of the surprises of qualifying Simon Lauter could deliver on his impressive P2 qualifying position to take his Tamiya to victory ahead of Tim Benson and Max Mächler. This result would secure Lauter second overall with Max Mächler completing the Top 3. For reigning champion Alexandre Duchet, having qualified last on the grid the Frenchman would salvage 5th overall, a result he will be hoping becomes one of his two throw-outs.
While Mod, Pro Stock and Formula where all decided in the second A-Main, the newly introduced Infinity Masters Touring class went down to the wire. With Christian Drießle winning A1 after a last minute mistake from Top Qualifier Thomas Oehler, it was Hungarian Miko Peter who took A2 ahead of Oehler and Drießle. This left it a three way battle for the win in the closing leg but 3rd place starter Peter found his way to the front to become the first Masters class winner. Joining him on the podium, the class open to drivers 40 years old or more, Drießle took second over Oehler thanks to his A1 win giving him the tie breaker.
View the complete event results here.
View our event image gallery here.
