Arriving at track on Monday to find it raining, most things were set up, time was spent working with the Controlled tyre Team HOTRACE TYRES for the flow to be easier, whilst drivers were using the time for set-up.
Some hours were spent getting the Technical inspection guys up to speed.
A few cars did manage to get out on track later.
Tuesday the weather was fine, so practise in groups started and we were off and running. The team managers meetings started every day from now on.
Wednesday, was the official practise day for EFRA, it was dry and the track had some track coverage and we went live for anyone to watch on YouTube. Willy Wuyts attended and Bjarne Holland the EFRA referee arrived.
On Wednesday night, we did a small re-seeding on the grounds of safety, there were drivers that had no rankings and it was soon obvious there were drivers that needed moving for safety reasons.
The weather forecast was not looking promising so the race director said a wet car could be prepared.
We then had the opening Ceremony with 10 Countries and 21 drivers 1/10 & 28 drivers 1/18 = 49 total.
Thursday started with 2 controlled time practise…then another re-seeding to check we had it right for both classes. One open practise round was ran for the new groups to get used to each other…we then went into qualifying. Three rounds of qualifying were run.
Followed by a BBQ the organisers laid on, with the majority of drivers joining in!
In 1/10 class Jean-Baptiste Geneau from France already took TQ with 3 straight wins.
In 1/8 class, it was still open.
Friday was a dry day, started with two rounds of qualifying and Superpole, and it was decided that 1/8 would run their 1/4 finals that afternoon due to the weather forecast for Saturday.
In 1/8 TQ was achieved by Michael Salven.
1st in Superpole for 1/10 was Traugott Schaefer from Switzerland and Arie Manten from Netherlands for 1/8 going straight into the Main Final.
Saturday Finals day……The heavens opened as suspected, and the Race director and referee was giving updates on the hour. The races were declared WET with open tyres. Staff and volunteers were out trying to clear the track from water.
Unfortunately some drivers decided they were not racing in those weather conditions and went home. Others who had ran their 1/14 final on Friday and did not bump up also left, some stayed, but it would have been better and more inclusive to have finals all on one day.
Others that had not prepared for the conditions, gritted their teeth and with help from others managed to get a car out on track. This was great to see!
Whilst it was difficult for the drivers, it also proved very entertaining to watch for others who were watching the drivers race in the rain. It became quite exciting with positions changing all the time.
The direct finalists had their practise time, some choosing not to go out, but others did.
We then started with Main Finals…
Only one driver from each class decide not to go out and race in A Final.
1/10 A main was exciting to watch never knowing what was going to happen and others not driving enjoyed watching it. The drivers really tested their skills!
This was not about the fastest, but consistency won the race.
Result…1:10
1st…Traugott Schaefer.
2nd …Claus Ryeskov
3rd…Jurmin Etnel
Congratulations to Traugott Schaefer on becoming Efra +40 Champion 2022
1/8 A Main, again what was going to happen?
With slides, scrapes, spinning, flameouts, plugs going, drivers going in the pits then coming back on track made for a thrilling final for the onlookers….but hard work for the drivers who had to keep their wits about them.
The Finals 1/10 & 1/8 in the conditions they drove were exceptional, their preparation, skill and knowledge should make them proud whether winning or not.
They all did a fantastic job!
Result…1/8
1st…Michael Salven
2nd…Martin Zevenhoven
3rd…Felix Reto
Congratulations to Michael Salven on becoming Efra +40 Champion 2022 (Again)
The Nations Cup was won by….( 2 best qualifiers)
1/10….Switzerland…..Traugott Schaefer & Andreas Ebener
1/8…..Netherland…..Martin Zevenhoven & Julius Kolff
Thanks to the Organisers at Raco2000, Volunteers, Referees, Timekeeper, Canteen, Hotrace Tyres for doing what you do best.
I hope we see you all again.
Kind Regards and thank you.
Julie Thurston
EFRA Section Chairman 1/10th IC Track
tenth.track@efra.ws
