Detail

published: 2012-07-14 14:43:41 (59538) Author: Oli_M

Neumann Defends European Title

Jorn Neumann has sucessfully defended his Europeam 4WD title, winning the first two A Finals.
Jorn Neumann started from pole and won the first two A Finals to wrap up his second consecutive EFRA title, and third title overall.

He was pushed hard in the first leg by Lee Martin, although even with a few mistakes from the German Lee was never able to take the lead. A few laps from the end, Lee clipped a corner and broke a turnbuckle, promoting Jorn's team-mate Hupo Honigl into second.

The second A Final ran out similarly, with Jorn chased by Lee and Darren Bloomfield.
But again Neumann pulled away at the front as the British drivers battled for second place. Bloomfield eventually gained the position when Martin rolled his car on the corner table top jump. Two victories gave Neumann the title, and allowed him to sit out the third leg, in which almost every other driver had a podium chance.

The last leg saw Martin and Bloomfield race for the lead, until mistakes from both promoted another Brit, Neil Cragg into the lead and Honigl to second. Cragg ran out the winner, Honigl second and local favourite Stefan Pfeifhofer took third from tenth on the grid.
Despite a win, Cragg was unable to make the podium, as Honigl's second places gave him second overall, with Bloomfields second and third good enough for the final podium spot.

Congratulations to Neumann on a dominant performance and well deserved title. Honigl was overjoyed to return to the podium after disappointing results in the last few years and the 2WD event earlier in the week. Similarly, Bloomfield said he was loving his return to the electric off road Euros, and a podium being a great result.
2012 EFRA 4WD ELECTRIC OFF ROAD EUROPEAN CHAMPION
JORN NEUMANN - DE - Durango / Speed Passion / Thunder Power (2 points)

2 Hupo Honigl - AT - Durango / LRP (4 points)
3 Darren Bloomfield - GB - Losi / Orion (5 points)

4 Paul Bradby - GB - Associated / LRP / Reedy (8 points)
5 Neil Cragg - GB - Assocaited / LRP / Reedy (9 points)
6 Stefan Pfeifhofer - AT - Associated / Vampire (9 points)
7 Miguel Mattias - PT - Losi / Advanced / Nosram (9 points)
8 Lee Martin - GB - Tamiya / Speed Passion (11 points)
9 David Ronnefalk - SE - Kyosho / Orion (11 points)
10 Tom Cockerill - GB - Schumacher / Speed Passion (16 points)


Despite the earlier forecast, the rain stayed away and all the finals were completed under brilliant sunshine. The drivers now leave the track, most of them wondering how on earth they can challenge Jorn Neumann in 12 months time.

Thanks to our hosts for the week, the host club for a great facility and brilliant event, and to you for following along. We hope you enjoyed our coverage!

Don't forget, you can find all the live stream footage archived from every day, plus our finals highlights later on this afternoon. And finally, we'll be back in just a few days time from the Large Scale Touring Car event in Spain.