ETS arrives in Poland
The third round of the Much More backed 2008/2009 Euro Touring Series has arrived in Poland where a World Class entry has descended on the capital city Warsaw. After a three month break, the ETS reaches its mid point with defending Champion Jilles Groskamp facing his toughest line up so far in the second edition of the series. The Tamiya Racing Factory driver won Round 2 in Hungary back in December and leads the current standings from fellow countryman Bart Wubben who took a podium finish at last weekend’s 1:12 Stock Euros.
Heading the list of potential race winners come Sunday evening is defending World Champion Marc Rheinard. The German won the opening round and while he was abscent in Hungary the Tamiya star has been busy adding victories to his CV winning the DHI Cup in January and the first ever Indoor European Championships in February. Another member of the TRF team here this weekend in with a chance of victory is Hupo Honigl who is a late entry to the event. The Austrian was crowned 1:12 European Modified Champion in Italy last month but will be looking to shake the BQ monkey off his back having taken the unenviable 11th fastest time in qualifying at Worlds and both the indoor and outdoor touring car Euros.
Taking the fight to the Tamiya boys will be a very capable Xray line which features US Champion Paul Lemieux who has made the long trip across the Atlantic. The RC America backed driver is really looking forward to his first ETS Carpet surface outing and having finished on the podium on his series debut at Andernach last year is determined to make another strong impression on the series. The Trinity driver, who won the recent Snowbirds race in Florida, says his biggest problem here this weekend will be adapting his driving style to suit the corner dots something he is not used to in the States. So far that doesn’t seem to be hampering Lemieux too much as he heads the time sheets (after three practice runs) from Groskamp when super pole timing is used. The other big Xray challenge comes from factory driver Teemu Leino, who flew in this morning from Finland, and former European Championship Top Qualifier Steven Wiess.
Former World Champion Andy Moore has also made the trip to Warsaw and heads the challenge of the third big factory team Hot Bodies.
In Pro Stock we also have a very strong line up including all three podium finishers from Round 2 of the Speed Passion and Hot Bodies supported Euro Touring Series. Balint Rajki took the win from pole in Hungary but Jakub Plechac and Zdenko Kunák will be out to change the podium order this weekend.
Today drivers have 6 opportunities to practice on the well designed OSM Club track with a final opportunity to tweak their cars tomorrow morning before we get down to the serious business of qualifying.
