Free practice in Neumünster
ETS RD4 started with the usual free practice on Thursday. Almost every racer who has signed up for the race took the chance to participate in the 5 rounds of practice in groups. As always on a fresh carpet, it took some time for the traction to come up and drivers had time to adjust their car setups to their likings. For the upcoming controlled practice on Friday and the four rounds of qualifying, we expect the drivers to be super close to each other. The fight for the pole positions will be intense with the fights for the A-Main spots not to expect less thrilling!
Matrix Modified
Coelho tops Thursday practice
The Matrix Modified class saw Bruno Coelho (Xray) setting the fastest 3 consecutive laps. He outpaced Marc Rheinard (Awesomatix) by 0.4 seconds on the technical layout of Chuck`s Raceway. Ronald Völker (Mugen Seiki) followed in third place, another 0.004 seconds behind Rheinard. Lucas Urbain finished the day in fourth and a very quick Davin Ronnefalk in fifth place. With the top 15 drivers being in only 1 second (!) over three laps, we can expect the closest qualifying possible in the Matrix Modified class!
Our reporter had a quick talk with Bruno Coelho about his first day at ETS RD4:
Right now, I am very pleased with my day and the track is amazing to drive on. It is technical, features some fast areas and is not too dangerous compared to the TOS layout we had here some weeks ago. I am running my Xray X4 with almost the same setup as at the TOS, and I think we only must adjust some small things on the car during the weekend when the traction will increase. It will be super important to keep it clean in the 5-minute qualifying runs as the track demands all the concentration from a driver!
Bruno Coelho, Xray/Hobbywing
The Top 5 after Thursday practice (over 3 consecutive laps)
1. Bruno Coelho PT | 37.569 (Xray/Hobbywing)
2. Marc Rheinard DE | 37.962 (Awesomatix/Orca)
3. Ronald Völker DE | 37.966 (Mugen Seiki/LRP)
4. Lucas Urbain FR | 38.059 (Awesomatix/Orca)
5. David Ronnefalk SE | 38.073 (Awesomatix)
Link to the Results on MyRCM: https://www.myrcm.ch/myrcm/report/de/60651/276942?key=200
Xray ProStock
Mächler fastest during ProStock practice
The Xray ProStock class saw Max Mächler on top of the field. The Awesomatix driver and team manager turned the fastest laps around the track with a very small margin of only 0.125 seconds ahead of the Xray duo Jan Ratheisky and Alexandre Duchet. Mugen Seiki`s Tim Benson was fourth fastest and Frederik Mikkelsen (Awesomatix) finished fifth during Thursday`s free practice at ETS RD4 in Neumünster.
Our Media Team had a quick chat with ProStock leader Max Mächler:
First, I would like to say that I am super happy to be here with all my friends and teammates. It is amazing that we all can participate at this event during these hard times with the pandemic and the Covid-19 rules are clear for everybody which is important as well. Racing wise I like the track a lot. I thought that the layout from the last TOS race here would be hard to beat but I like the actual track even more. I use my Awesomatix car with the last TOS setup and for tomorrow I have no expectations as Simon Lauter will arrive tomorrow morning to mix up the field a bit. I will put my head down and just “send it”!
Max Mächler, Awesomatix/Sunpadow
The Top 5 after Thursday practice (over 3 consecutive laps)
1. Max Mächler DE | 39.211 (Awesomatix/Sunpadow)
2. Jan Ratheisky DE | 39.236 (Xray/Sunpadow)
3. Alexandre Duchet FR | 39.257 (Xray/ORCA)
4. Tim Benson DE | 39.600 (Mugen Seiki/Nosram)
5. Frederik Mikkelsen DK | 39.638 (Awesomatix /LRP)
Link to the Results on MyRCM: https://www.myrcm.ch/myrcm/report/de/60651/276946?key=200
Hobbywing Frontwheel
Interesting Thursday practice goes to Stankowitz
Manuel Stankowitz was the man to beat here during free practice at ETS RD4 in the Hobbywing Frontwheel class. He showed a great speed and booked the three fastest laps of the day ahead of Max Körner and Torsten Baggendorf. StickonRC`s Jonas Völker finished fourth for the day and Marvin Fritschler placed himself in a good position for tomorrow with the fifth fastest time. The championship leaders Stefan Schulz (6th) and Steven Olsen (9th) are lacking a bit of pace but we can expect something from them during seeding practice and qualifying for sure.
Manuel Stankowitz told us on Thursday evening:
Today was a good one for me. My car felt great, and I could fully focus on my own driving and the best lines on Chuck`s Raceway. But tomorrow will be a new game when everybody will start on new tires when the timed practice starts!
Manuel Stankowitz
The Top 5 after Thursday practice (over 3 consecutive laps)
1. Manuel Stankowitz DE | 47.031 (Awesomatix)
2. Max Körner DE | 47.151 (Awesomatix)
3. Torsten Baggendorf | 47.456 (Awesomatix)
4. Jonas Völker | 47.504 (Awesomatix)
5. Marvin Fritschler | 47.611 (Awesomatix)
Link to the Results on MyRCM: https://www.myrcm.ch/myrcm/report/de/60651/276941?key=200
Orca 17.5 Stock
Bemmerl on top after free practice
Championship leader Thomas Bemmerl was right on pace here in Neumünster and set the fastest 3 consecutive laps on Chuck`s Raceway. He was followed by one of his strongest rivals from the last races – Daniel Pöhlmann. The Awesomatix duo was right in front of Tamiya driver Dominik Ruf who showed a promising practice performance in third place. Apeldoorn race winner Dominik Reile (Awesomatix) was fourth quickest and Patrick Miekatusch (Mugen Seiki) finished in a strong fifth place for the day.
We had a quick chat with Thomas Bemmerl after the Thursday practice:
My day went very well, and I really like the track with the technical layout. My car is easy to drive, and I have not planned any changes on the setup of my Awesomatix for now. For tomorrow I hope for some warmer weather as it is a little bit chilly here in the hall. So far, I really enjoy the time here at another ETS event with amazing people!
Thomas Bemmerl
Top 5 after Thursday practice (over 3 consecutive laps)
1. Thomas Bemmerl DE | 41.159 (Awesomatix)
2. Daniel Pöhlmann | 41.380 (Awesomatix)
3. Dominik Ruf | 41.434 (Tamiya)
4. Dominik Reile | 41.711 (Awesomatix)
5. Patrick Miekautsch | 42.004 (Mugen Seiki)
Link to the Results on MyRCM: https://www.myrcm.ch/myrcm/report/de/60651/276944?key=200
Tonisport 40+ Masters
Danish Dynamite heading the Masters class
Caspar Morgen from Denmark came out on top of the five free practice rounds here on Thursday at ETS RD4 in Neumünster. He outpaced the rest of the field by the strong amount of four tenths of a second with his new Xray X4. The German driver Andy Kühne was his closest follower in front of Nicolai Nielsen from Denmark, Toni Mateo from Spain and one of the organizers from Chuck`s Raceway – Manuel Stankowitz!
Caspar Morgen was really pleased with his practice day as he talked to our ETS reporter:
The track is really cool, I like it a lot. The layout and the size of the track is very similar to a lot of tracks in Denmark. Today I made almost no changes to my car but tomorrow I will try a different Differential to find out if I can improve my pace a bit more together with fresh tires!
Caspar Morgen
The Top 5 after Thursday practice (over 3 consecutive laps)
1. Caspar Morgen DK | 41.102 (Xray)
2. Andy Kühne DE | 41.500 (Awesomatix)
3. Nicolai Nielsen DK | 41.690 (Awesomatix)
4. Toni Mateo ES | 41.698 (Awesomatix)
5. Manuel Stankowitz DE | 41.850 (Mugen Seiki)
Link to the Results on MyRCM: https://www.myrcm.ch/myrcm/report/de/60651/276945?key=200
Scorpion Formula
Kölbel tops Formula practice at Chuck`s Raceway
Austrian Formula racer René Kölbel turned the three fastest consecutive laps during today`s five rounds of free practice with the new Matrix foam tires. He was slightly ahead of championship leader Jan Ratheisky and a good looking Sören Sparbier. Michael Lipperheide and Patrick Sadrinna completed the top 5.
Renè Kölbel talked to our media team directly after his last practice heat:
To be honest, I am a little bit surprised to be on top today as I had only a few packs of practice on the foam tires before the event. My car works well, and I can drive it constantly over the entire run. It will be interesting to see how the traction level of the foam tires will evolve when the carpet gets more overall traction during the weekend. I will give my very best in qualifying and then we wil see where I will line up for the finals – I don`t really think about the final outcome of the race as Jan Ratheisky is normally driving in a league of his own!
René Kölbel
The Top 5 after Thursday practice (over 3 consecutive laps)
1. René Kölbel AT | 42.364 (Xray)
2. Jan Ratheisky DE | 42.593 (Xray)
3. Sören Sparbier DE | 42.902 (Serpent)
4. Michael Lipperheide DE | 43.886 (EF1)
5. Patrick Sadrinna DE| 43.900 (?)
Link to the Results on MyRCM: https://www.myrcm.ch/myrcm/report/de/60651/276943?key=200
On Friday morning, drivers will have another two rounds of free practice followed by two important rounds of seeding practice for the definition of qualifying groups. Last on Friday afternoon will be the first round of qualifying where all drivers and teams had to show what they have in their pockets. We are looking forward to Friday here at ETS RD4 in Neumünster!
