1/10 EFRA EC Report ASD Naxos World

12/06/23 to 17/06/2023

Giardini Naxos, Sicily, Italy

Organiser: Salvatore Schepis, Vito Geraci & AMSCI

Race Director: Teodoro Spagnolo

Time keeper: Maurizio Rivera

Technical Inspection: Giovanni Attollino

Referees: Vito Geraci

EFRA Referee: Fabio Marzini

Arriving at the track at 08:30 Monday morning to find most drivers present and setting up.

The day was warm and the track opened at 09:00 for open practise, as this is what the drivers wished, and with lower numbers than hoped for, it was the most obvious way to start practise.

The OTS was all set up for practise tyres…and the fuel was there ready and waiting.

Tuesday was much the same for all drivers, whilst the organisers were finishing off the last bits. The sun continued to shine down on us. Open Practise was called again to please the drivers.

A young lady, Claudia was walking around the pits every day, so drivers could order their lunch without leaving their benches, with Dario, Claudia and his brother Fabio were in the cafe preparing it all for lunchtime.

At this meeting we ran an invitational class alongside the EC to showcase the Wide Bodied Class, with the support of the organiser and AMSCI.

Giovanni opened up Technical inspection with help of Sebastian, and we were off and running.

On Wednesday, we had a few drops of rain early on, but the drivers managed to go out and complete their open practise. Unfortunately, the heavens opened just as the Opening Ceremony was due to begin…It was rather wet to say the least, and the banquet had to be postponed. But the drivers all made it onto the stage to be announced, followed by aperitifs. Still plenty of smiles and laughter was had! Frank and Zack from the EFRA Media Partner, RC Racing TV, were doing interviews and filming the Opening Ceremony, which you can watch here.

Thursday arrived, our EFRA President Jackie arrived to spend 36 hrs with us, to see how it was all going and to chat with drivers and manufactures, introducing herself to some that may not not know her just yet. She enjoyed her time at Naxos World and took away many thoughts from all. Thank you Jackie for taking the time out to join us!

On Thursday, we only managed to run one round of free practise, then it rained all day! The schedule had to change, the team did a great job shifting things about. During this time, we made the decision also for ALL finals to be ran on Saturday which most were pleased about.

The banquet was held Thursday lunch, and due to food being spoilt on Wednesday evening, Ielasi Tuned Engines, Max Power, Capricorn, Schepis Models, Pepe Group, Gimar and Simon Models Malta, donated to the buffet lunch. Thanks to you all!! It was appreciated by everyone that was there!

On Friday, it was voted by team managers to do 1 controlled timed practise and 5 qualifiers and then we went into the Superpole.

Dario Balestri took Top Qualifier, winning 4 out of 5 qualifiers with an automatic 1st spot into the A Final.

Superpole

Toni Gruber won the Superpole, going straight in A Final in 2nd place.

Finals Day

Saturday saw Finals day….great weather for all finals with the bump-up playing a part. We also had new for 2023 a LAST CHANCE QUALIFIER, where all remaining semi-finalist who did not bump up had one more chance to make the A Final. 15 minutes of pushing and only the winner to bump up. The LCQ was taken by Francesco Tironi (Infinity).

Main Final

The final started, no issues on the start, class driving from Dario Balestri and Toni Gruber until Toni had a flame out. The race was very thrilling, with Toni coming from the back of the pack to win the 2023 European Championship.

EUROPEAN CHAMPION

Toni Gruber from Germany (Capricorn)

2nd……. Jilles Groscamp from Netherlands (Infinity)

3rd ……. Carmine Raiola from Italy (Infinity)

 

JUNIOR EUROPEAN CHAMPION

Fillippo Domanin (XRAY)

 

NATION CUP WINNERS

1st Germany (Toni Gruber & Melvin Diekmann)

2nd Netherlands (Jilles Groscamp & Milan Holthius)

3rd Italy (Dario Balestri & Carmine Raiola)

 

Wide Class (Invitational)

The invitational wide class was run alongside the EC as a show case for the class, and much interest was shown in this class. Naxos World honoured this class with trophies.

1st … Thilo Diekmann From Germany (Capricorn)

2nd…. Silvio Piperato from Germany (Capricorn)

3rd… Robert Harley From UK ( X-ray)

 

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to you all!!!

 

As it was Efra’s 50th year all drivers entered into EC received a 50th Anniversary Medal.

Thank You!

A massive thank you to the organiser Salvatore Schepis, who could not have done more to make us all feel very welcome, and all the staff at Naxos World.

To AMSCI and all staff that worked so hard

Fabio Marzini who did a great job at his first EFRA Event as referee.

Frank and Zack from CTRL Media who just kept going with the coverage.

 

All of us from the 1/10 section and EFRA thank you all for a fantastic week!!!

 

P.S.: The cakes in Sicily will never be forgotten!