Robert Pietsch with new MRX5 on pole position at 1/8 EC
Driving the brand new MRX5, Mugen factory driver Robert Pietsch has captured pole position at the 1/8 nitro on-road European Championship held in Locorotondo, Italy. His first heat on Friday afternoon with 27 laps in 7.02,675 minutes proved to be the fastest run even he did all four heat within two seconds. While he was hampered by slower cars in heat two and three, Pietsch surprised in heat four when he did lap times down to 15,1 seconds and repeated his 7.02-run at very hot conditions with air temperatures of about 37 degrees and tarmac temperatures close to 60 degrees. “I am really happy about the pole position”, admitted Robert Pietsch. “My MRX5 is running really well and it looks like that there is no difference in the performance of the car regarding to high or low temperatures.”
The positions one to five have been unchanged on Saturday in comparison to the ranking list after the first heat. Motonica team driver Dario Balestri missed his Friday result in the second heat on Saturday morning by just 7/1000 seconds. With 27 laps in 7.03,450 Balestri is second ahead of nine-time World Champion Lamberto Collari (Kyosho) who had his best run also on Friday with 27 laps in 7.05,318. The fourth direct qualifier is Andrea Pirani (Mugen) with 27 laps in 7.06,270.
Daniele Ielasi as the best Shepherd racer made it to fifth position with 27 laps in 7.07,838. Alberto Picco managed to make a huge step up to sixth place with his Mugen doing 27 laps in 7.08.240. He was followed by Rick Vrielijnck who did 27 laps in 7.08,615. Beside Pietsch it is only Alberto Picco, Rick Vrielijnck and Francesco Tironi (position 16) who are racing the all new MRX5.
The top 10 after four heats:
1. Robert Pietsch, Germany, Mugen – 27 laps / 7.02,675 minutes
2. Dario Balestri, Italy, Motonica – 27 / 7.03,450
3. Lamberto Collari, Italy, Kyosho – 27 / 7.05,318
4. Andrea Pirani, Italy, Mugen – 27 / 7.06,270
5. Daniele Ielasi, Italy, Shepherd – 27 / 7.07,838
6. Alberto Picco, Italy, Mugen – 27 / 7.08,240
7. Rick Vrielijnck, The Netherlands, Mugen – 27 / 7.08,514
8. Walter Salemi, Italy, Motonica – 27 / 7.08,833
9. Andrea Christiani, Italy, Serpent – 27 / 7.09,110
10.Michele Romagnoli, Italy, Mugen – 27 / 7.09,235
Among the top 10 there are eight Italian drivers and each one from Germany and The Netherlands. On chassis it is five for Mugen, two for Motonica and each one for Shepherd, Kyosho and Serpent. The top 4 drivers are powered by Novarossi.
Like Alberto Picco also Michael Salven (Serpent) could make a big move from the end of the ranking list to eleventh position in round two on Saturday morning. Mark Green (Serpent) and Patrick Schaefer (Shepherd) who celebrated seventh and eighth position on Friday evening finally were happy to qualify for the half finales at least on positions 17 and 18. On pole position of the two grids of the quarterfinals A and B are Marco Vanni (Mugen) and Eric Dankel (Shepherd)
Reigning European Champion Jernej Vuga (Mugen) is listed on 25th position, former European Champion Fabio Domanin (Serpent) on 30th position. Even worse things went for Ilia van Gastel (Serpent) and Oliver Mack (Shepherd) who can be found on positions 38 and 41 and have to start in the 1/8th finals.
Following the 1/64th final which was held on Saturday afternoon racing action will continue on the 330 meter fast and difficult track at Locorotondo, located between Bari and Brindisi in the south of Italy, on Sunday with the 1/32th finals. The 45 minutes main finale is scheduled to be started at 5.00 PM.
Source: Nitro West [nitro-west.de] / Image: William Wallace Ursillo
