Euro Touring Series

February 11, 2011

FP3 throws up Russian surprise

Ivan Laptev

Ivan Laptev has got everyone talking here in St.Polten after taking the little known Awesomatix chassis to the second fastest time in the third free practice behind Ronald Volker. No one was more surprised by the pace of the Russian designed car than Laptev himself who said with better driving by him he could have actually run faster. Benefiting from a fresh set of tyres, the Russian Champion said a few small set-up changes and the removal of the sway bars had given the A700 more steering making the already easy to drive car even better. As a result of his time, which could see him place in the top group for qualifying, Laptev’s pit table has been getting some interesting visitors keen to seen what is definitely the most unique electric touring car chassis around.

Andy Moore once again set the third fastest time with his Moorespeed powered Hot Bodies TCX. Having run the Protoform LTC-R so far, the 2006 World Champion will run the new Legacy B4 shell from RIDE which he found gave increased steering when he tested in Thailand back in December. The British driver who is chasing his first ever ETS podium finish also plans to run a new set of tyres for the final practice.

Juho Levanen

The Associated team are still looking competitive with Juho Levanen and Keven Hebert setting the fourth and fifth fastest time respectively over three laps – the format that will be used to seed the heats. Levanen said his TC6 was not as good this run but is not sure if that is down to a change of additive or the tyres getting worn, the same set having been run in the opening three practices. He will run a fresh set of rubber in FP4. Hebert swapped the gear diff for a spool on his car and was pleased with the result. The Canadian said while his outright lap times are not the fastest he believes he has a strong pace for the full 5-minutes.

Yannic Prumper

Team Yokomo’s Yannic Prumper completed a Tamiya free Top 6 for the Xenon Modified class. Viktor Wilck was best of the Tamiya Racing Factory drivers in 10th position while Elliot Harper and Marc Rheinard struggled with the 16th and 21st fastest times. Rheinard not helped by missing the start of the run. In the battle of nitro aces Robert Pietsch has the upper hand over Daniele Ielasi setting the 15th fastest time five place ahead of the Italian.

In the Xray Pro Stock class Schumacher’s Martin Hofer continued to set the pace over fellow German Oliver Franke and Swiss driver Sandro Kuriger.

Full results can be found here.

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February 11, 2011

Volker resumes position in second practice

Ronald Volker

Ronald Volker has resumed his role of being the ‘man to beat’ by setting a new fastest lap time of 15.876 in the second practice session for the Austrian leg of the Yokomo Euro Touring Series. ETS debutant Keven Hebert set the pace in the opening practice but with over 200 cars running on the indoor asphalt track conditions where much faster for FP2 and Volker got the most out of them to break under the 16 second lap times. The current leader of the 2010/11 Xenon Modified standings, Volker said while his BD5 feels like it could do with more steering it is not pushing as much as his rivals, in particular the Tamiya of his big rival Marc Rheinard.

Juho Levanen

Juho Levanen set the second fastest lap time being the only other driver to run below 16 seconds with a 15.996. The Finn, who is desperate to score his first podium finish with the TC6 having finished fourth in the opening two races, said the car is working really well and he wants to just focus on his driving. Levanen is running a gear diff in the rear and spool in the front and team-mate Hebert plans to adapt that combination for FP3. Running gear diffs front and rear on his car it worked well in FP1 for the Canadian but with traction up in FP2 it left him struggling with understeer and so he will switch to the spool for the next outing.

Andy Moore

Third fastest was Andy Moore. Having changed additive for the run, the British ace said it was not as good as the morning practice with his Hot Bodies TCX only coming good at the end of the run when he did his best lap of 16.182. Michal Bok took his Yokomo to the fourth fastest time with a 16.278 second lap with David Erbhar the fastest Xray in fifth.

Martin Hofer

In Pro-Stock Martin Hofer gave his shock signing with Schumacher a big boost by setting the fastest lap time by a considerable margin over last season’s Dutch ETS winner Oliver Franke. Hofer, who only recieved his Mi4CX on Wednesday, is loving the track conditions saying he prefers asphalt over carpet anyday. Very happy with the base set-up on his new car, the German said he just plans a few minor adjustments for the third practice. Franke, who is also racing in the Xenon Modified class for the first time this weekend, was happy with his Hot Bodies having switched to LRP additive. Also driving a Hot Bodies, young German Felix Wiessmann set the third fastest lap time. Fourth fastest was well known Russian driver Ivan Laptev at the controls of the Russian designed Awesomatix A700. A regular front runner in the Pro Stock class driving a Tamiya, he is now the official lead driver for Awesomatix and is running pre-production versions of the unique chassis in both Pro-Stock and Modified this weekend. Laptev said he is very pleased with how the car is working with it being very easy to drive.

Full results can be found here.

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February 11, 2011

Hébert tops opening practice in Austria

Hebert 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.

St Polten Track

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.

Ronald Volker

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.

Gas On Road drivers

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

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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November 27, 2010

Volker wraps up pole position in Czech Republic

Ronald Volker will start tomorrow’s Xenon Modified A Final from pole position after putting the overall TQ honours beyond the reach of his rivals. Making it four out of four, the Team Yokomo driver topped the penultimate round of qualifying here in Hrotovice despite a valiant effort from defending ETS champion Marc Rheinard who missed out by just 3/100ths on knocking the Kastellaun winner off the top for the first time this weekend.

Marc Rheinard

Rheinard said while he did not beat his arch rival he was encouraged by the run as its the closest he has been to the European Champion in this season’s Yokomo Euro Touring Series. Suffering a broken rear diff at the end of the run, the World Champion said he is starting to get to grips with the new Tamiya TRF417 and plans to use the final qualifier to run in a fresh set of the Xenon controlled tyres for tomorrow’s finals.

Alexander Hagberg

Putting a below par Kastellaun performance behind him, Alexander Hagberg is enjoying a very competitive weekend in the Czech Republic so far, with him producing another Top 3 run. A number of small changes to his new Xray T3’11 have made him more confident with the car. Loosing a little time with traffic and a mistake of his own making, the Swede now plans to go all out for a TQ run in the final run of the day.

Steven Weiss

Fourth fastest for the round was Freddy Sudhoff despite his Hot Bodies not being perfect followed by Team Yokomo’s Yannic Prumper. The German teenager has struggled with traction roll and too many driver errors but managed a clean Q4 to post his best qualifier. Despite clashing with TRF driver Viktor Wilck for the second heat in succession Steven Weiss was happy with his 7th fastest time just behind Dominik Fleischmann. Running a TOP chassis he said he is very happy with how it has been running and hopes with another good round he can claim himself a place in the A Final.

Eric Dankel

In the Xray Pro-Stock class Q1 Top Qualifier Eric Dankel took the round from Q2 & 3 pace setter Martin Hofer. Having run a gear diff in the front of his Xray T3’11 this morning, the German reverted to a spool which gave the car a better feeling allowing him to return to the top of the time sheets. Asked about the slightly shortened track layout, the ETS Kastellaun winner said he preferred it as it had a better rythm to it. Hofer said he made an error with his tyre additive for the round and this resulted in his Yokomo going off at the end of the run. He said once he does not make the ‘stupid’ mistake again he is confident he can outpace Dankel in the final qualifier to wrap up overall TQ honours for tomorrow’s finals. ‘Heading in the right direction’ was how Alexander Stocker described his run to third. The Pro-Stock Champion set the fastest lap for the round and could have place higher but a mistake on his final lap cost the Hot Bodies driver almost 2 seconds.

Full results can be found here.

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November 27, 2010

Q3 Update

Ronald Volker

Once again it is Ronald Volker and Team Yokomo who continue to dominate proceedings here in Hrotovice topping the third round of qualifying. The German took the round from Xray’s Alexander Hargberg and a much improved Juho Levanen claiming his first competitive run with the third fastest time. Fifth behind Teemu Leino, Elliot Harper was the best of the Tamiya Racing Factory squad after both Marc Rheinard and Viktor Wilck opted to test a new tyre additive sample which they both said was ‘really bad’. Kyosho’s Christopher Krapp completed the Top 6 for the third of the five scheduled qualifiers.

Martin Hofer

It was a double TQ run for Team Yokomo as Martin Hofer backed up his Q2 run to top the Xray Pro Stock class. The German outpaced early pace setter Eric Dankel by 17/100th of a second as the pair both broke 24 laps for the first time. Recording 23 laps defending champion Alexander Stocker had his best run with the third fastest time.

For the penultimate round of qualifying drivers will run a slightly altered track after race director Scotty Ernst was forced to change one corner of the track during the lunch break due to a leak in the roof of the hall.

Full results can be found here.

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November 27, 2010

Volker ups the pace in Q2

Ronald Volker

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.

Marc Rheinard

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.

Alexander Hagberg

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.

Martin Hofer

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.

Daniel Wohlgemuth

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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November 26, 2010

No surprises in Czech Republic as Volker takes Q1

Ronald Volker

The first qualifier for the second round of the 2010/11 ETS has been run and to no ones great surprise it is Ronald Volker who remains the man to beat. The Yokomo driver was the only person to break 25 laps with a time of 5:11.417 with Marc Rheinard second fastest on 24 laps in 5:00.231.

Ronald Volker

Describing his LRP powered BD5 Worlds Spec as easy to drive and well balanced, Volker said as he had expected Rheinard was able to match his pace, a roll by the World Champion on lap 6 hampering his chances of knocking his fellow German off the top of the time sheets. Rheinard said his new TRF417 felt strange on fresh rubber but after a few laps he was able to run same pace as Volker and that the key to taking the challenge to his arch rival is getting his car to work as well as Volker’s from lap 1.

Alexander Hagberg

This morning he said testing at Xray’s private indoor track in Slovakia had been very productive and Alexander Hagberg backed that statement up by setting the third fastest time. Having to drive from a different position on the rostrum following the reseed for qualifying the Swedish ace said it took a few laps to adjust to this but his T3’11 was really good and he has no plans to change anything for the morning. Overall it was a much better start to the event for Xray than at Round 1 with Teemu Leino, Adrian Bernsten and Zdenko Kunak all making the Top 10 in Q1 setting the 6th, 8th and 9th fastest times respectively.

Freddy Sudhoff was fourth fastest but the Hot Bodies driver was not so happy with his driving at the beginning of the run. The German also found his TCX to be a little loose at the rear, something he hopes to cure for the morning by changing additive and the timing of its application. Right behind Sudhoff was his team-mate Dominik Fleischmann but the Kastellaun finalist was also not entirely pleased with his driving either.

Viktor Wilck

Sandwiched in between the Tamiya and Hot Bodies of factory drivers Viktor Wilck and Andy Moore, former team driver Steven Weiss put in a strong showing with his privately entered Top Racing Photon setting the 11th fastest time.

Erik Dankel

In the Xray Pro-Stock class Eric Dankel took the opening qualifier with ease, his pace being a massive 5 seconds clear of the second fastest driver Martin Lissau. Dankel flipped his Xray at the end of the run but luckily his time had already expired. With a new set of Xenon controlled tyres on his T3’11 the German suffered understeer for the opening part of the 5-minute run but once the tyres came in the car was back to how it was in practice. Fellow Xray driver Tony Streit, who finished 7th overall in Kastellaun, reported the same issue but the 21-year-old was pleased with his run to the third fastest time.

Making his ETS debut former 1:5 World Champion Martin Lissau said his run to second was a little lucky as a number of the championship regulars made mistakes. The Danish driver, who is running a Tamiya TRF416WE fitted with a rear gear diff, found his car very inconsistent and for Q2 tomorrow morning plans to change the spool for a front gear diff.

Former ETS Pro-Stock Champion Balint Raijki said his Hot Bodies TCX was good and stable allowing him to easily ride the dots but felt like it lacked punch out of the corners. The Hungarian driver thinks he may need to adjust his driving style for the next qualifier rather than go changing the set-up. The Top 6 was completed by current Champion Alexander Stocker and Round 1 podium finisher Martin Hofer.

Xenon Modified Qualifying – Round 1 Top 10
1. Völker Ronald (DE) – 25 5:11.417 [Yokomo/LRP]
2. Rheinard Marc (DE) – 24 5:00.231 [Tamiya/Speedpassion]
3. Hagberg Alexander (SE) – 24 5:01.859 [Xray/LRP]
4. Südhoff Frederik (DE) – 24 5:02.823 [Hot Bodies/LRP]
5. Fleischmann Dominik (DE) – 24 5:04.707 [Hot Bodies/LRP]
6. Leino Teemu (FI) – 24 5:04.806 [Xray/Orion]
7. Levanen Juho (FI) – 24 5:05.083 [Associated/LRP]
8. Berntsen Adrian (NO) – 24 5:05.090 [Xray/LRP]
9. Kunak Zdenko (SK) – 24 5:05.526 [Xray/LRP]
10.Wilck Viktor (SE) – 24 5:06.353 [Tamiya/Speedpassion]

Xray Pro Stock Qualifying – Round 1 Top 10
1. Dankel Eric (DE) – 23 5:02.742 [Xray]
2. Lissau Martin (DK) – 23 5:07.878 [Tamiya]
3. Streit Tony (DE) – 23 5:08.775 [Xray]
4. Rajki Balint (HU) – 23 5:09.943 [Hot Bodies]
5. Stocker Alexander (DE) – 23 5:10.041 [Hot Bodies]
6. Hofer Martin (DE) – 23 5:11.429 [Yokomo]
7. Tschupp Philip (CH) – 23 5:13.764 [TOP]
8. Klöckner René (DE) – 23 5:13.872 [Tamiya]
9. Kuriger Sandro (CH) – 22 5:00.080 [Tamiya]
10.Wohlgemuth Daniel (DE) – 22 5:00.333 [Xray]

Full results can be found here.

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November 26, 2010

Kastellaun winners top practice in Czech Republic

Ronald Volker

At the end of practice for the second round of the Yokomo Euro Touring Series Ronald Volker doesn’t look like letting up on his Round 1 domination, the German putting his Yokomo BD5 at the top of the time sheets here in Hrotovice. Over three consecutive laps the European Champion was the fastest of the Xenon Modified class competitors and just like in Kastellaun, where he went on to take his first win, he outpaced his arch rival and defending ETS champion Marc Rheinard.

Marc Rheinard

Armed with Tamiya’s new TRF417 Rheinard said he was still playing around with small set-up changes and additive but hopes like with the TRF416 when traction comes up he will be in a position to get the better of the on-form Volker.

'Fast Freddy' Sudhoff

Following on from his strong performance at the season opener ‘Fast Freddy’ Sudhoff was very happy with his morning describing his LRP powered Hot Bodies TCX as perfect having just focused on his driving rather than chassis set-up which is the same he used to finish a very competitive fifth overall in Round 1.

Having struggled in Germany former ETS race winner Yannic Prumper is a lot more upbeat here this weekend taking his Yokomo to the fourth fastest time. Having ran gear diffs front and rear he was much happier with his BD5 in the final practice after switching back to the more conventional ball diff and spool set-up and the German teenager is quite confident ahead of this evening’s first qualifier.

Teemu Leino was best of the Xray drivers setting the fifth quickest time just ahead of junior team-mate Adrian Berntsen. Team Associated’s Juho Levanen was next up declaring himself to be ‘happy enough’ for qualifying. The Finn ran a new set of tyres in the fourth & final practice run which did suit his new TC6, the car working better on used controlled Xenon tyres.

Eric Dankel

In the Xray Pro-stock class it was also the Round 1 winner that topped the practice times with Eric Dankel setting the pace over Daniel Wohlgemuth who was the winner here last time. Dankel says practice went pretty much to plan and feels with a fresh set of rubber his Xray T3’11 is good for a TQ run in the first qualifier. Wohlgemuth said Dankel has an edge over the rest of the field but he expects things will be closer in Q1 with his plan being to push a liitle harder now that the times start to really count. Martin Hofer tried a gear diff in the final practice and said it gave his Yokomo a ‘horrible’ feeling but is confident with a ball diff back in the car all should be good for the first qualifier. Defending Champion Alexander Stocker was fourth fastest the German back at the controls of a Hot Bodies having run a Yokomo borrowed from Hofer at Round 1.

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