This past weekend saw the first EC for the 1/12 class since 2020, with the 2021 edition cancelled as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
There were plenty of eager racers waiting to take on the freshly laid track on ETS Carpet, prepared to the usual high standards by the crew at the fantastic Hudy Arena located in Trencin, Slovakia.
Stock Qualifying
Michal Orlowski took the first three rounds of qualifying – with three from six to count this guaranteed him a front row starting spot, and would need someone else to take the remaining three rounds and set a faster time to prevent him starting from pole position. Oliver Havranek gave himself a great chance by taking round four, however Michal hit back and took round five to secure the TQ position. Jan Ratheisky had a strong run to take the final round, securing him second on the grid with Oliver lining up third.
Modified Qualifying
Defending champion Alex Hagberg showed his intent by taking the opening round of qualifying, before Michal Orlowski hit back by taking rounds two, three and four to secure his spot on the front row. Alex took round five to position himself as the only driver able to deny Michal TQ; in order to do so he would need to take the final round of qualifying and set a faster time than Michal had run so far. In the event Marc Rheinard took the sixth and final round of qualifying, leaving Michal lining up on pole with Alex second and Marc third on the grid.
Stock Finals
Michal Orlowski took unchallenged victories in legs one and two to seal his first 1/12th European title, before electing to sit out the third and final leg. This allowed a tense battle between Jan Ratheisky and Max Machler for the win, with Jan coming out on top after eight minutes of close and fair racing. This final leg win gave Jan second place overall from Max in third.
Modified Finals
Michal Orlowski started his quest for a second title in one day in the best possible way, winning the first leg from Alex Hagberg. Leg two turned into the decisive race of the weekend for the modified class, which would see either see Michal take his second EC in the space of an hour, or see Alex extend his run of seven consecutive titles in the class. The two cars put on a thrilling display of expert skilled driving around the challenging Hudy Arena circuit for the full eight minutes, with Marc Rheinard keeping a very close watch in third position, just behind the leading pair.
With thirty seconds remaining, as the cars approached the chicane entering the straight, a small mistake from Michal allowed Alex an opportunity to draw alongside on entry to the corner. Side to side contact was made and although Alex left the corner in the lead, the EFRA referees adjudged the move to have been a block pass and instructed Alex to give the position back to Michal on what was now the final lap of the race, leaving Michal to cross the line as the leg winner and the new EC for the modified class, with Alex finishing second and Marc third in the leg.
After the breathless second leg and with his title secure, Michal elected to sit out leg three, allowing Alex and Marc the opportunity to fight it out between themselves for the win.
World Champion Marc applied maximum pressure for the full eight minutes but could not find a way past, allowing Alex to cross the line in the lead for the final race of the weekend. With Marc taking second, Alex secured the second spot on the final podium with Marc in third overall.
For more photos, see the EFRA photo gallery here.
