We arrived to Rucphen in Netherlands with 27 entries but, at the end, we confirmed 18 entries due to an unfortunately high percentage of no-shows. Maybe the possibility of rain made drivers reconsider their entries.
We would like to point out for those who decide to not attend races such as EFRA GP SERIES in last minute. The track and club Organizer and Official Tire Supplier prepared the track and and tires for everyone that says they will attend, and to make a decision to not come at very short notice, regardless of the reason, creates a lot of trouble for everyone working hard to make these events a success. EFRA is here to support everybody, it doesn’t matter how many drivers can attend, however we need to find the balance between compromise in the registration and the personal decisions to not come to some events.
Photos from the weekend can be found in the EFRA gallery here!
Saturday
We started Saturday morning with the last round of free practice to prepare the track for the official program.
During the racing program on Friday the weather forecast was checked regularly, and the chance of rain for Sunday was up to 70% all day, with only the possibility of dry times in the afternoon. Due to the number of entries, after the driver briefing, the decision was made to do the full race program on Saturday to avoid any trouble on Sunday. We moved on with 2 Control timed practice, 3 rounds of Qualifiying and in the evening the Finals.
After Controlled Practice we set up groups with Melvin Diekmann on top in 1/10th and Toni Gruber getting best 3 laps in 1/8th. Then 3 rounds of Qualifiying getting all drivers in Q3 with no bump ups. After 3 rounds of Qualifying, Melvin Diekmann set the pace for pole in 1/10th and Toni Gruber, again, set best 3 consecutives laps in 1/8th. The other 2 spots for direct finalist were for John Ermen in 2nd places and Steven Cuypers, so strong at this track getting 3 spot.
After the semifinal the grid was prepared for 2 finals of 25 minutes, another new development in the EFRA GP SERIES. Drivers have to make a mandatory tire change in 25 minutes race due to the tire wear on the asphalt. Both Finals in 1/10th were won by Melvin Diekmann demonstrating that his pace was on top level. He won the race and the OVERALL TITLE at EFRA GP SERIES.
1/8 Final
The racers and spectators were delighted to get a nice battle between Thilo Diekmann and Steven Cuypers split over two 25-minute Finals. Steven won the first leg with 110 laps followed by Thilo a couple of tenths of a second behind. In the second leg, Toni Gruber started 1st but engine problems forced him to retire.
The Steven and Thilo battle resumed with part 2, with Steven taking the lead in the latter part of the final, followed by Thilo. And just when everybody Steven would also get the victory in the 2nd final, a steering problem in last lap forced him to retire his car, allowing Thilo to get the lead at the end. So, 1st place in the average laps/times for Thilo Diekmann with 220 laps , follow by Steven Cuypers with 209 laps and 3rd sport for Belgium driver Gunther Van Staey with 215 laps.
Photos from the weekend can be found in the EFRA gallery here!
Thanks to everybody who attend the meeting. A huge thanks also to NOMAC Dutch Federation, MAC DE BAANBREKERS and HOT RACE TIRES for the support and commitment during the weekend.
For the complete results including all racers, follow this link.
OVERALL TITLE EFRA GP SERIES
After the race in RUCPHEN we have final Champion of the overall title. 10 drivers have participated in 1/10th and 41 drivers participated in 1/8th in total. These are not figures we had hoped for, however we will try to improve this for future editions of the EFRA GP SERIES, reconsidering some decisions in the future.
In 1/10th Melvin Diekmann won the title, solving the tie with Thilo Diekmann who took 2nd place. 3rd place went to Belgium driver Werner Stieners.
In 1/8tH Thilo Diekmann won the title with the sum of both races, followed in 2nd place by DARIO BALESTRI who won in Sciacca, and 3rd spot for great and talented Capricorn driver Silvio Piperato.
Thanks again to all of the Organizers, Drivers, each National Federations and the Official Tire supplier for their support of the EFRA GP SERIES. I hope everybody enjoy with the competition. I hope to see you soon in more EFRA RACES this year!
