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April 16, 2017

Sobue, Ratheisky & Ebukuro win at AOC Rd1

After three rounds of qualifying using the rocket round format, the 2017 AOC round 1 in Shanghai, China would deliver some of the finest racing in Asia. With triple A-mains for all classes and double mains for the lowers, Sunday would be filled with happiness as well as heartbreak. Halfway through qualifying in the Modified Sedan class, Infinity’s Akio Sobue seemed to have found a 2nd gear as he was able to dominate the last 2 rounds of qualifying and earn TQ, but most importantly earn the track position that matters most on a tight circuit. Starting from pole, Sobue would make good on his start position to take the win in A1 with the rest battling for 2nd and 3rd. A2 saw Sobue masterfully cover his lines to defend attacks from 2nd place qualifier, Xray’s Alexander Hagberg. Mistake free, Sobue would leave the field to cross the line and take A2 and the overall. A3 of Mod sedan would determine the rest of the podium.

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April 16, 2017

Asian Onroad Championships Rd1 – Qualifying results

This Sunday morning the final round of qualifiers was held at the opening round of the 2017 Asian Onroad Championships in Shanghai. With the track grip suited to more his liking, Creation Model Ltd.’s Akio Sobue would reset the TQ time in the Modified Touring Car class and secure the top spot on the grid laying down the fastest run in Q3. Xray’s Alexander Hagberg would earn the 2nd grid spot delivering his fastest time in Q3 and move Naoto Matsukura down to 3rd. The 5-time World Champion made a fatal mistake in Q3 which ended his run prematurely.

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April 15, 2017

AOC Rd1 – Saturday updates

The opening round of the 2017 Asian Onroad Championships is held at RCI V2 in Shanghai, China this weekend. The temperature has risen since Friday’s practice and racers have scrambled to make changes to their cars in order to cope with the hotter, more humid weather. However, with rising temps also means increasing grip levels that usually equate to faster lap times. Since this particular event is using the rocket round system, round 2 was said to be the golden track as tomorrow’s weather is forecasted for heavy rain and humidity in the 90% range. After setting the fastest time in round 1, Infinity’s Naoto Matsukura would lose his TQ to teammate Akio Sobue in round 2 who ran a 29 lap 5:01.89. The field would improve their times dramatically in round 2 with Matsukura securing the 2nd fastest time behind Sobue with 29 5:02.49. European Champion and former World Champion, Xray’s Alexander Hagberg would set a 29 lap 5:03.28, which would ultimately give him 3rd overall.

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April 15, 2017

AOC Rd1 – Seeding & Qualifying updates

The 2017 Asian Onroad Championship is underway with round 1 being held at RCI V2 in Shanghai, China. In it’s 5th year being a part of the AOC, RCI V2 has consistently increased the level of competition inviting some of the world’s finest to take part. From Paul Lemieux in the early days to current IFMAR ISCT World Champion, Ronald Volker, all have enjoyed the delights of RCI V2 and the fine mix of fantastic racing and fun atmosphere. The AOC is more than just a race event, it’s filled with wonderful friendship, culture, and life experiences.

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April 10, 2017

Coelho wins ETS Spain

Bruno Coelho has drawn first blood at the first asphalt race of the Euro Touring Series season, the Xray driver winning with relative ease with another win in A2 on the championship’s first visit to Spain. Top Qualifier for the Madrid based third round, having dominating the opening final, the reigning champion looked like he might have to work a bit harder second time round. With Marc Rheinard make a much stronger start and keeping with the reigning champion with Ronald Volker in toe, initially a more interesting race looked on the cards but it was short lived. With his Infinity stepping out in the first right hander of the lap, Rheinard would spin out, his race effectively done. While Volker would take up the challenge for a time, even with Coelho having a big moment at the end of the straight, the Portuguese ace would complete the perfect weekend to extend his lead in the championship with his parents on hand to watch his master class.

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April 9, 2017

Rheinard wins A3 to claim 2nd in Madrid

Marc Rheinard has wrapped up the first ETS race in mainland Spain with a win in A3 that would see the Infinity driver leave Madrid with a 2nd place. With Xray’s Bruno Coelho wrapping up his second win of the season in A2, the third A-Main was a showdown between Rheinard and ETS Round 2 winner Ronald Volker for the runners-up spot. With Rheinard leading away the field as Coelho watched on, the German was untouchable winning with ease from Volker who had to work hard to fend off Akio Sobue for the early part of the race. Also third in A2, Sobue would end up 4th overall ahead of Infinity team-mate Jilles Groskamp.

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April 9, 2017

Coelho takes easy A1 win

Bruno Coelho took an easy win in the opening A-Main at the Yokomo Euro Touring Series this morning in Madrid. Top Qualifier on the championship’s first visit to Spain, the Xray driver had no problems pulling clear of the field winning from Marc Rheinard by 1.8-seconds. With the Top 5 finishing as they started, it was Ronald Volker who completed the Top 3, the Yokomo driver having a lonely race running in between the Infinity’s of Rheinard and Akio Sobue.

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April 8, 2017

Coelho Top Qualifier at ETS Spain

Despite Marc Rheinard taking a somewhat surprise second TQ in the final round of qualifying at ETS Spain, it is Bruno Coelho who is Top Qualifier on the championship’s first visit to the country. The Xray driver’s second TQ of the season, having been on pole for the season opener, he claimed the top spot for the first outdoor race of the season thanks to his Q2 time being the fastest of the weekend. Rheinard’s best qualifying of the season, the German lines up ahead of Ronald Volker, the Yokomo driver struggling in the final qualifier and starting in an Infinity sandwich with Akio Sobue and Jilles Groskamp completing the top half of the grid.

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