Hébert tops opening practice in Austria
Factory Team Associated driver Keven Hébert has got his Euro Touring Series debut off to an impressive start with his TC6 setting the fastest lap around the indoor asphalt track here in St.Polten, Austria. The first Canadian to take part in an ETS event, Hébert managed an 16.285 second lap on a track which he described as being a lot bigger than he was used to racing on in US racing scene. Pleased with his lap time, the 22-year-old said he needed to be more consistent but feels a second run should help him settle in better to the unfamiliar settings in particular the height of the drivers rostrum which by American standards towers above the track. Team-mate Juho Levanen also enjoyed a competitive start to Round 3 of the series setting the fourth fastest time. The Finn said running on asphalt again took a bit of getting used to but the traction was really good and he is excited about the weekend as the track bring something new to the racing.
Setting the second fastest lap time was local racer Patrick Gollner who has previously enjoyed strong ETS showings including making the A-Main in Poland last season. From Vienna, he has the benefit of having run some practice laps here last weekend. Although a track layout was different, the experience of the track conditions have allowed the 18-year-old to find a good set-up for his Tamiya TRF416X.
Championship leader, after dominant performances at the opening two rounds, Ronald Volker set the third fastest time in the opening practice with an 16.318 lap. The Team Yokomo driver who is without his regular mechanic Umino this weekend said the track felt strange at first but once he settled in he liked the grip level but with a lot of hairpins his LRP powered BD5 could have done with more steering. Its going to be a busy weekend for Volker as he has a number of novice team-mates this weekend in the form of top international 1:8 Onroad nitro racers Daniele Ielasi and Patrick Schaefer, the owner of nitro chassis manufacturer Team Shepherd. Ielasi has run in the ETS once before competing in the Czech Republic last season but is running a Yokomo due to Volker’s recently signed agreement with Team Shepherd to race 1:10 Onroad nitro. Ielasi couldn’t make much comment about the track as he only managed 1 lap before breaking the steering servo horn but the former 1:10 Nitro World Champion thinks the asphalt track should suit him better than the carpet he made his debut on. Schaefer said electric touring cars have evolved a lot since he last tried his hand at it and he is going to be looking for a lot of help from Volker. Team Shepherd pitman Armin Weihert is also racing, competing in the Xray Pro Stock class.
Austria has seen a bit of an invasion of nitro drivers with 1:8 European Onroad Champion Robert Pietsch also taking part. The 1:10 and 1:8 Onroad World Championship Top Qualifier, who is the chief designer at Mugen is racing a Schumacher due to his Contact RC tyre contract, a brand which is owned by the British company. Pietsch said the driving style is completely different to what he is used too but he is enjoying the experience. Pitting just behind Ielasi the pair are focused on beating one another rather than aiming to mix it with the electric touring car regulars. We will keep you posted on the ETS Nitro Challenge throughout the weekend.
Team Xray’s Martin Hudy, who became an uncle during the night, set the fifth fastest time followed by Hot Bodies Andy Moore and ETS Champion Marc Rheinard. Having been busy at the Toy Fair in Nurnberg last week where he had to cover for his brother Mario who was on standby for the birth of his first child, Martin said he didn’t get to practice as much as he had hoped ahead of the event. Xray have their own indoor asphalt test track but due to his busy schedule he only managed to run a few batteries yesterday before leaving for Austria.
Marc Rheinard said the asphalt took a bit of getting used to but was pleased with the traction. Having finished second to Volker at Rounds 1 & 2 the World Champion said he has really got to get the job done this weekend if he is to have any chance of retaining his ETS title and hopes the change of surface will allow him to get the better of his fellow countryman.
Drivers have three more rounds of practice to dial both themselves and their cars in before the opening round of qualifying brings Day 1 of the third round of the Yokomo Euro Touring Series to a close.
Top 10 fastest lap times – Practice 1
1.Keven Hebert (CAN) – Associated/Reedy – 16.285
2.Patrick Gollner (A) – Tamiya/Speedpassion – 16.313
3.Ronald Volker (D) – Yokomo/LRP – 16.318
4.Juho Levanen (FIN) – Associated/Reedy – 16.325
5.Martin Hudy (SLO) – Hudy/LRP – 16.339
6.Andy Moore (GB) – Hot Bodies/Moorespeed – 16.354
7.Marc Rheinard (D) – Tamiya/Speedpassion – 16.376
8.David Ehrbar (D) – Xray/LRP – 16.380
9.Michal Bok (CZ) – Yokomo/Speedpassion – 16.429
10.Viktor Wilck (S) – Tamiya/Thunder Power – 16.457
Full results can be found here.
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