Groskamp returns in style
Former two time Euro Touring Series champion Jilles Groskamp has returned to the series in style setting the early pace after three rounds of practice at the Apeldoorn track which is coming in for heaps of praise from the large entry taking part in the Dutch round. Groskamp, whose last appearance in the ETS was at the MACH last year, set the fastest time for three consecutive laps over his Tamiya team-mates Marc Rheinard and Viktor Wilck. Based in Thailand, Groskamp has not contested a major race since the TITC in February but says extensive testing back in Bangkok where he regularly runs alongside former World Champions Atsushi Hara and Surikarn Chaidajsuriya has helped him to get a good understanding of the TRF417 which he admits the team has struggled to get to grips with during the winter. Back in Europe until the end of August so that he can contest both the European Electric and Nitro Touring Car Championships he said he is looking forward to racing with the top guys again this weekend and gauging his competition ahead of the Euros.
Setting the fourth fastest time champion elect Ronald Volker, who dominated the first half of the season, was the best of the drivers making their first visit to the Apeldoorn circuit. The German said he was surprised how much he really likes the track as he has not had much running on large tracks. Describing his Yokomo as ‘pretty ok’ he hopes to fine tune the set-up once he gets a little more track time in. Team-mates Yannic Prumper and Cyril N’diaye completed the top 6 setting the stage for a head to head between Tamiya and Yokomo.
N’diaye summed up his first experience of Apeldoorn with ‘track is wow’. Making his first appearance in the ETS as a Yokomo driver this weekend, as are fellow Frenchmen Lucas Urbain and Loic Jasmin, he said his BD5 feels really good and he isn’t sure he really wants to change anything for the final round of practice.
Winner of the last ETS round, which was on carpet, Juho Levanen was only 19th quickest but the factory Team Associated driver says he hasn’t found the correct speedo setting for this ‘awesome track’.
In the Xray Pro Stock class the locals are top of the time sheets. The Top Qualifier of the Dutch round last season at the MACH, Vasco Christiaanse is looking strong with his Kyosho TF-6 setting the pace over the Tamiya of John Bruins who beat him at a club race at this track two weeks ago. With a wealth of knowlege about the track Christiaanse tried a gear diff for the first time this morning but found the car a little difficult to drive and will switch to the standard ball diff for the final practice. Bruins who is running a TRF417 said he is really happy with his car but will adjust the anti-dive for his next run.
Behind the two Dutch drivers is standings leader Martin Hofer. Seeking to complete a hat trick of wins this weekend, the Schumacher team driver said he was feeling good ahead of the first qualifier, which takes place this evening. Still running used test tyres on his Mi4CX the German is confident with fresh rubber the car is good enough for a TQ run.
Just 6/1000ths slower than Hofer is Switzerland’s Sandro Kuriger who is the best of the Pro Stock first timers to Apeldoorn. Loving the wide open track which features banked corners, he plans to run longer camber links on his Tamiya in the fourth & final practice to try and improve his corner speed.
While a number of very light rain showers caused a few short pauses in this morning’s schedule the sun has returned but with a threat of overnight rain race director Scotty Ernst has made the call to run the first round of qualifying for everyone this evening rather than just for the Speed Passion Hobby class and Xray Pro Stock classes.
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