Joosens, De Witte & Bultynck win at Belgian nats Rd4
The 4th round of the 2014 FBA 1/10 Electric On-road Touring Car nationals were held at the fast outdoor track in Rucphen. The weekend started off on a damp surface in the first round of qualifiers. At the end Nick Joosens put his car on top of the time sheets in the Efra class, in front of Mitchel Van Es and Olivier Bultynck. The first final was a battle between Nick Joosens, Mitchel Van Es and Olivier Bultynck. On his home track Nick proved that he was the man to beat but also Mitchel is very familiar with the track and tried to pass Nick. Olivier was a little slower and thus happy with a 3rd place. Mitchel tried everything to find a way past, but Nick was too strong and stayed in the lead to take the win. Mitchel came in as 2nd and Thomas Stockman took the 4th place in A1.
Olivier Bultynck took a splendid start into the second final and passed Mitchel on the first lap. Nick was in the lead and Olivier tried to close the gap but Nick was strong and in control of the proceedings. Olivier was in attack mode but could not made a move for the lead so Nick took his second win of the day with Olivier in 2nd. Mitchel came under pressure of Nicolas Delisé but managed to keep a 3rd place.
Racing was on the highest level in A3 when Mitchel and Olivier touched each other at the end of the straight. Olivier showed great sportsmanship and waited for Mitchel as meanwhile Nicolas Delisé and Thomas Stockman were fighting for the lead. Close behind Pasquinel Neys was in 3rd place. At the end Nicolas ‘Amatorski’ managed to keep Thomas behind to take the win. The overall result saw Nick Joosens (Yokomo) taking the Efra class win from Olivier Bultynck (VBC) in 2nd and Nicolas ‘Amatorski’ Delisé (VBC) in 3rd place.
In the Stock class it was youngster Athan De Witte who took the TQ position after the qualifiers. The 11 years old was faster than last year’s champion Geoffrey Vekemans and he also snatched Christophe Charlier. Nathan Cortvriendt and Dylan Senaeve completed the top 5 result.
The opening Stock class A-final saw some tight racing between Athan and Geoffrey as the latter put a lot of pressure on the shoulders of young Athan. Geoffrey tried everything to pass but Athan was the ‘Iceman’ himself, making no mistakes during a clean run to take the win in the first final. Geoffrey came in 2nd and promised to put on more pressure in the second final. Christophe Charlier came in 3rd in front of Nathan Cortvriendt.
The 2nd final was a copy of the first one. Athan kept the lead with Geoffrey in 2nd placeer. For every move Geoffrey made, Athan had an answer. In the last minute Geoffrey took some risks and rolled his car. This allowed Athan to cruise to the victory in A2 with a big smile on his face to take the overall win in the Stock class. Daddy De Witte was some years older but a very proud and happy man. Christophe took the 2nd place and a disappointed Geoffrey came in 3rd.
The 3rd final was a confirmation of the strong race of Athan. He started into the lead and he stayed in the lead. Geoffrey and Christophe did everything they could but the ‘Iceman’ was to fast. With the 3rd win of the day Athan again wore a big smile on his face. Geoffrey came in 2nd and Christophe finished in 3rd place. The overall result saw Athan De Witte (VBC) taking the win from Geoffrey Vekemans (ARC) in 2nd and Christophe Charlier (Awesomatix) in 3rd place.
The promoting Formula 1 class again saw a growing field of starters at the Belgian nationals. Olivier Bultynck, fresh off a win at the recent final round of the 2013/14 ETS, put his car on pole position in front of his dad Krist Bultynck and Steve Deblaere. Stéphane Delisé and Kristof De Witte completed the top 5.
The first final was an easy race for Olivier. Right from the start he jumped into the lead and pulled away from the rest of the field. Steve took a better start than Krist and tried to follow but Krist was fast, fought back and overtook Steve. Meanwhile Michel Mahieu came from 6th place to attack Steve. At the end of the straight Steve made a grip roll so he was out of the top 3 to finish in 4th. Olivier came in 1st in front of Krist, and Michel took a happy 3rd place.
The start of the 2nd final was a copy of A1. With Olivier in the lead, Steve took a better start and jumped into 2nd place while Krist followed in 3rd place. The three guys were faster than the rest and had some close racing between Steve and Krist to offer. Lap after lap Krist tried to pass Steve but the latter was defending strongly and took the 2nd place. Olivier took the win and Krist came in 3rd place.
The final A-main saw Krist with a better start but in turn two Steve overtook Krist and Olivier. Touching each other on the finish line Steve and Olivier lost the top spots and Krist opened a little gap. Krist then rolled his car in the last remaining seconds of the final allowing Steve to take the lead and the win. Krist came in 2nd and Olivier managed to come back to 3rd. The overall result had Olivier Bultynck (VBC) taking the win with Steve Deblaere (VBC) in 2nd and Krist Bultynck (VBC) in 3rd place.
Thanks to Krist Bultynck for sending the report.
