Norwegian Electric On-road Nationals – Report

The Norwegian Electric Indoor On-road Nationals were held this past weekend on a purpose-built carpet track in Hønefoss, located about two hours from Oslo. The track was laid out with ETS carpet and corner dots and a technical layout made for tight racing action throughout the weekend. In the Touring Modified class, VBC Racing team driver Nikolai Håheim proved to be the man to beat through qualifying as lined up first on the grid. Just behind him came Stock specialist, multiple ETS-finalist and multi-times national champion, Helge Johannessen (ARC). Schumacher driver Tobias Sanden came in third with very steady drives in the qualifiers, conquering a lack of one-lap pace with excellent consistency.

The opening final ended early for Nikolai, hitting the track markings and eventually getting stuck. Helge cruised to the victory some two seconds ahead of Tobias Sanden. Behind him Øyvind Stusdal followed like a shadow, trying to mount a challenge for some podium glory. The second final was rather uneventful for the top 3, as they finished as they started, but finishing in fourth was 6th place qualifier, young and talented Mathias Nedrebø (Yokomo), showing great maturity for a 12 years old. He also scored the fastest lap of the opening final, and what was effectively the 2nd fastest lap through all finals. The third and final A-main was a thriller, as Helge tried to challenge and push Nikolai into a mistake. On the last lap Helge was very close as Nikolai slowed down a bit early to keep it safe for the final turns, and they both touched forcing Nikolai a bit wide. Helge hesitated, but eventually gunned down to the finish line in front of Nikolai, and became Touring Modified National Champion for 2017.

Touring Modified final results:
1. Helge Johannessen – ARC
2. Nikolai Håheim – VBC Racing
3. Tobias Sanden – Schumacher
4. Mathias Nedrebø – Yokomo
5. Øyvind Stusdal – Serpent
6. Andreas Daving – Yokomo
7. Roy Gjemble – Schumacher
8. Ketil Pettersen – Yokomo
9. Rune Svestøl – n/a
10.Georg Ellingsen – n/a

The 1/12th scale Modified class was still run with open motors, not enforcing the EFRA 6.5T rules, so the cars were blistering fast. After losing out to an engine problem while being safely on his way to the 2016 Nitro Touring title, Trygve Bull Freng would not let this race slip his firm grip. He took a rather commanding TQ with four of four qualifying heat wins with his VBC Racing, but he was not completely safe as the ever faster off-road champ and Schumacher driver Roy Gjemble put down the fastest lap of the day, and it looked set for a real showdown. It was sadly not to be though, as Trygve steadily won the first two finals while Roy DNF’d. Joining Trygve on the podium were Andrè Røine and Hans Magne Berg, the latter had never run a 1/12th scale before, but clearly should do more on-road racing.

1/12th Modified final results:
1. Trygve Bull Freng
2. Andre Røine
3. Hans Magne Berg
4. Ole Morten Finnset
5. Roy Gjemble
6. Lars Ivar Rønning
7. Anders Mikkelsen
8. Finn Aasen
9. Tommy Solberg Bråthen
10.Vidar Sivertsen

As always 13.5T Touring Stock was a trusty support class to the national classes, and with some fierce competition there as well. Helge Johannessen, multiple ETS-finalist and national champion, and was a definite favourite for the victory. Close behind him through qualifying were the two offroad specialists-gone-rogue, with Yokomo’s Andreas Daving qualifying second, and former Off-road National Champion, Team Magic driver Martin Sørlie, looking to get themselves a good on-road podium finish. There was also Trygve Berntsen, father of ETS-winner Adrian, and with so many drivers on pace, it would make for some great finals. In the opening final, Martin snuck by Andreas to pressure Helge, but couldn’t quite make room to get by. The trio steamed away from the rest of the pack, but positions remained unchanged until the finish, all three cars only a second apart over the line. For the second main, the trio broke away once again, with Andreas this time trying to challenge Helge for the lead, but the mistake never came. Martin tried his best to get past Andreas to pressure Helge, but could find the room to get all the way passed. Once again they were very close over the finish line, Helge just making it over in time to get an extra lap. In the third main Helge decided to sit out having taken the victory, but there was still a showdown over the last two podium positions. Andreas led the way for two laps, but Martin was eager to get the job done, and as soon as Andreas gave him 19 centimetres of room he was through and never looked back. Trygve finished the main in third, giving him fourth overall. Having had a blistering pace at times during qualifying, he couldn’t quite get there in the mains. Young talent and Yokomo driver, 11 years old Olav Dahle sadly retired before the final, having looked to finish within the top eight after two mains.

Touring Stock final results:
1. Helge Johannessen
2. Martin Sørlie
3. Andreas Daving
4. Trygve Berntsen
5. Per Hanssen
6. Jonas Ramsrud
7. Bjorn Dahl
8. Magnus Medalen
9. Olav Dahle
10.Roger Larsen

Thanks to Martin Sørlie for the report.