COMPLICADO ESTRENO DE DAVID SALOM EN MOTO GP

Veröffentlicht am 18.9.2012 von Wolfgang

Este fin de semana David Salom tomaba contacto por primera vez con la CRT del equipo Avintia Blusens y debutaba en la categoría MotoGp en la carrera disputada en Misano.
La climatología y las condiciones de la pista han hecho perder mucho tiempo al piloto mallorquín, que ha tenido su primera toma de contacto en la sesión de entrenamientos libres del viernes. Sólo ha podido rodar en seco durante la sesión de clasificación y ha comenzado su adaptación a la nueva montura.
Clasificado en vigésimo primera posición de parrilla, Salom tomaba la salida y trataba de rodar cada vez más rápido vuelta tras vuelta, logrando su mejor vuelta en el decimoquinto giro con un tiempo de 1,39,0.
David Salom ha conseguido en su debut su primer punto al cruzar la meta en décimo quinta posición, un estreno complicado pero satisfactorio por el margen de mejora que tiene el piloto en cuanto pueda acumular kilómetros con la CRT.
David Salom: "Conseguir temperatura en los neumáticos es lo que más me está costando, la entrega de potencia del motor también es muy diferente la Superbike y tengo que adaptarme rápido para poder mejorar. Esta ha sido mi primera carrera en la categoría y he logrado puntuar, estoy contento con el resultado."

Departamento de prensa David Salom
Piloto Mundial de Superbikes
www.davidsalom.com
prensa@davidsalom.com
Calle Reina Constança, 19b
07006 Palma de Mallorca
T. 971 291 321
M. 616 99 26 87

Daniel Lozano se impone por tercera vez consecutiva en el Rallye Vall de Sante Pere

Veröffentlicht am 16.9.2012 von Wolfgang

La tercera edición del Rallye Vall de Sant Pere finalizó el sábado por la noche en la Plaza Mayor de Esporles tras la disputa de los 11 tramos cronometrados de los doce previstos. Por tercera vez consecutiva Daniel Lozano se proclamó vencedor del rally. El piloto del Seat Ibiza Kit Car empezó marcando el mejor crono en el tramo Puigpunyent Valldemossa que se disputó el viernes por la noche. Lozano y Rudy Hensen se impusieron por 11 segundos al Citroën Saxo Kit Car de José Martorell y Guillem Cuart que por solo un segundo superaban al Mitsubishi Lancer Evo de Julián Gómez y Simón Pons.

Entre estos tres equipos se libró una bonita batalla en la jornada del sábado, que tenía programados 11 tramos cronometrados pero debido al grave accidente acontecido en la Autopista y totalmente ajeno a la prueba, fueron requeridos de urgencia los servicios de seguridad de la carrera debiéndose anular uno de los tramos matutinos entre Bunyola Alaró.

En el aspecto deportivo, nuevo recital de Lozano Hensen que incrementaban su ventaja a medida que se iban sucediendo los tramos cronometrados. José Martorell y Julián Gómez se alternaban en los puestos de podio pero sin llegar a inquietar a Lozano que aumentaba su ventaja en los tramos de Sa Coma y Capdellà Galilea, mientras que Martorell sacaba partido en el tramo de Es Grau donde se anotó varios scracht.

Tras una agotadora jornada de pilotaje Daniel Lozano y Rudy Hensen se impusieron a sus rivales con un tiempo de 58 minutos y 22 segundos y con un promedio de 102 Km/h. José Martorell y Guillem Cuart ocuparon el segundo escalón a 42 segundos mientras que Julián Gómez fue tercero a 1 minuto 15 segundos. Tras el trió de cabeza finalizaban Raúl Palenzuela y Mateo Jurado con el Mitsubishi Lancer EVO anotándose así la victoria en el grupo N por delante de Sion Verger y Rafael Binimelis, ambos con sendos Renault Clio.

Entre los coches históricos (Grupo H) la victoria fue a parar a manos de Jordi Santandreu que con el Renault 5 Copa se impuso al Ford Anglia de José J. Álvarez. Destacar al siempre espectacular Nadal Galiana que tras deleitar al público congregado en el primer tramo con una conducción espectacular sufrió una salida de pista el viernes por la noche que le obligó al abandono. Pese a ello el piloto ejerció las labores de coche 0 al volante de un Mistubshi Lancer histórico en la jornada del sábado. Alberto Caracuel (Citroën AX) se impuso entre los coches de grupo RI con Jaume T. Aguiló (BMW M3) y Miguel A. Roldán (Peugeot 309) en los puestos de honor de la categoría.

Solo 23 de los 39 vehículos inscritos en competición finalizaron esta tercera edición del Rallye Vall de Sant Pere, dando fe de la dureza de la carrera con casi cien kilómetros contra el cronometro.

Texto: Pep Cifre Ferbis-Press

Fotos: © by Wolfgang LINDNER

3. Rallye Vall de Sant Pere

DIASHOW ANZEIGEN

ALLE HERUNTERLADEN

Spengler siegt und setzt Spitzenreiter Paffett unter Druck

Veröffentlicht am 16.9.2012 von Wolfgang

Oschersleben. Der kanadische BMW-Pilot Bruno Spengler hat in Oschersleben souverän das achte DTM-Rennen der Saison gewonnen. Damit verkürzte der 29-Jährige seinen Rückstand auf den Gesamtführenden Gary Paffett (Mercedes-Benz), der Zweiter wurde, auf elf Punkte. Dritter Fahrer auf dem Podium war Paffetts Landsmann und Markenkollege Jamie Green, der in der Gesamtwertung um eine Position auf Platz drei zurückfiel. Bester Audi-Pilot in der Magdeburger Börde war Mike Rockenfeller auf Platz sechs. Das Titelrennen wird jetzt zwischen Mercedes-Benz und BMW entschieden.
Mit einem ungefährdeten Start-Ziel-Sieg krönte Spengler ein perfektes Renn-Wochenende. Zum insgesamt zwölften Mal in seiner DTM-Karriere überfuhr er als Erster die Ziellinie. Diese Strecke macht mir echt Spaß. Sie ist zwar aggressiv für das Auto, aber alles hat gehalten. Gary war sehr schnell, und ich bin glücklich, den Sieg ins Ziel gebracht zu haben. Jetzt heißt es: Konzentration auf die beiden letzten Rennen. Ich versuche natürlich, so viele Siege wie möglich zu holen, sagte Spengler, der seinen dritten Erfolg in dieser Saison feierte.
Der zweitplatzierte Gary Paffett hatte sich zeitweise an den späteren Sieger herangekämpft, konnte aber nicht überholen. Nach dem Rennen sagte der Gesamtführende: Wieder auf dem Podium zu sein, das ist gut. Dennoch bin ich ein wenig enttäuscht, weil wir heute hätten gewinnen können. Das Auto war sehr schnell, aber wir haben bei den Stopps zu viel Zeit verloren. Zwei Rennen stehen noch an, und ich werde natürlich alles geben.
Lokalmatador Dirk Werner (BMW) freute sich auf Platz vier über sein bisher bestes Saisonergebnis. Sein brasilianischer Markenkollege Augusto Farfus folgte als Fünfter. Auf Platz sechs war Mike Rockenfeller der beste Audi-Pilot. Mit dem sechsten Platz konnte ich heute immerhin wichtige Punkte holen und bin nun wieder der beste Audi-Pilot in der Tabelle. Das ist positiv. Aber mehr war heute einfach nicht drin, sagte Rocky nach dem Rennen über 51 Runden.
Hinter dem Kanadier Robert Wickens (Mercedes-Benz) sah Mattias Ekström aus Schweden als Achter die Zielflagge. Der Audi-Pilot startete als Fünfter, blieb aber beim Start stehen und musste sich dann von Position 20 durch das Feld kämpfen. Filipe Albuquerque aus Portugal und der Lahnsteiner Timo Scheider (beide Audi) machten die Top Ten komplett.
Die DTM brummt: In Oschersleben hat die populärste internationale Tourenwagenserie bereits die Zuschauerzahl der gesamten Saison 2011 eingestellt. Die Fahrer von Audi, DTM-Wiedereinsteiger BMW und Mercedes-Benz lockten am Wochenende 71.000 Zuschauer an die Rennstrecke in der Magdeburger Börde. Damit zählte die DTM in den ersten acht Rennen bereits 630.500 Fans und erreichte damit vorzeitig die Zahl der zehn Wertungsläufe des Vorjahres. Das vorletzte Rennen der Saison findet am 30. September im spanischen Valencia statt.
BMW Motorsport Direktor Jens Marquardt: Ich bin wirklich überwältigt. Das ist ein Wahnsinnssieg von Bruno und ein Riesenergebnis für BMW. In der Gesamtwertung steht noch jemand vor Bruno, aber wer Bruno kennt, weiß, dass er in den letzten beiden Rennen alles geben wird.
Mercedes-Benz-Motorsportchef Norbert Haug: Leider hat es heute nicht ganz gereicht. Aber das ist kein Beinbruch. Es bleibt so spannend wie die letzten Runden hier. Gary Paffett geht mit elf Punkten Vorsprung in die beiden letzten Saisonrennen in Valencia und Hockenheim – kein riesiges Polster, aber lieber elf plus als elf minus.
Audi-Motorsportchef Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich: Wir haben heute leider schon am Start alle Chancen auf ein besseres Ergebnis verloren. Mattias Ekström hat anschließend bei seiner Aufholjagd gezeigt, was theoretisch möglich gewesen wäre. Fakt ist aber auch, dass wir hier in Oschersleben insgesamt nicht schnell genug waren. Wir werden weiter hart arbeiten und alles dafür tun, bei den letzten beiden Rennen in Valencia und Hockenheim wieder eine stärkere Leistung zu zeigen. Der Titel in der Herstellerwertung ist noch möglich.

www.dtm.com

America beckons for Team Aon

Veröffentlicht am 14.9.2012 von Wolfgang

Antworten

The FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) will find itself in new territory later this month as the Championship tackles the challenges of the Sonoma Raceway. The Arena run Team Aon squad, and drivers Tom Chilton and James Nash, will be bringing the Global Ford Focus to the American marques backyard with two fast and explosive 13 lap races on 23rd September. For Chilton and Nash it is another new and exciting experience in what has been a year of learning and development.

Looking to capitalise on recent comprehensive testing in the UK, Team Aons Global Ford Focus heads to the United States of America with further updates; and a stronger understanding of the WTCC car. With the next round at the Sonoma Raceway the Championships first foray into the US, it will be a new challenge for drivers and teams alike who have so far this year competed in Europe, Africa and Brazil.

For Team Aon it marks the latest in the line of new challenges and experiences in their maiden year of competition in the WTCC. The 2012 season has been a learning curve for everyone involved with the Arena-run squad building the two cars for Chilton and Nash as well as learning the new circuits they compete at. Over the 2012 season the development to the Global Ford Focus has moved at an incredible pace as the year has progressed with both drivers providing great feedback to the team both over the course of every race weekend and during the precious hours of testing completed.

More renowned for IndyCar and NASCAR the Sonoma Raceway features 12 corners during the quick 2.5 mile lap. As a relatively unknown quantity for many of the WTCC drivers the playing field will effectively be levelled out as the paddock looks to quickly learn the unique factors of the Californian circuit. For Chilton and Nash this has meant time in the simulator, familiarising themselves with the intricacies it has to offer.

Looking forward to yet another new challenge in the 2012 season Tom Chilton said, I really cant wait to drive around Sonoma this year in the Ford to be able to bring the car to its backyard is a really great feeling and is a big deal for the entire team.

Weve been doing a lot of testing recently on tracks which have similar aspects to Sonoma, such as the various corners and undulations, and the data is looking good for us so Im feeling really confident heading to America and cant wait to get on track.

Team mate James Nash added, I’m really excited to be able to drive a Ford in the US. Because it’s our first year in the WTCC we have a lot to prove and for this round we have further upgrades to introduce to the Global Ford Focus. It’s going to be a big event for me and the whole team so I’m really looking forward to it.

Rally Sliven to form part of exciting climax to IRC season six

Veröffentlicht am 12.9.2012 von Wolfgang

Antworten

This years Intercontinental Rally Challenge is set for a thrilling climax with four events of the all-action series remaining including Rally Sliven, an exciting addition to the IRC schedule for 2012.

Following this weeks Prime Yalta Rally in Ukraine, where crews are currently completing their final preparations prior to the competitive action getting underway this Friday (14 September), the IRC will make its first visit to Bulgaria from 28-30 September.

Rally Sliven represents an intriguing prospect for IRC regulars and newcomers alike. New to the series for this season, the event is a mainstay of the Bulgarian national championship and part of the FIA European Rally Cups. It features technical asphalt stages in the mountains around Sliven, Bulgarias eighth largest city, with altitudes ranging from 250 metres to 1100 metres above sea level. Some runs feature an altitude variation of 600 metres. Two legendary downhill tests, Bulgarka and Stara Reka, are back on the itinerary for the first time in 20 years, while the popular Sliven superspecial stage, based in a park in the city, will attract thousands of spectators.

Fans from throughout Bulgaria will gather around the stages and create a great atmosphere for the competitors, who will quickly find out how challenging the stages are, said Atanas Chanev, the Deputy Clerk of the Course. There are uphill sections followed by steep and technical downhill parts. Every stage has its specific grip and even on some stages the amount of grip changes in almost every corner. Rally Sliven will be the most interesting motorsport event in Bulgaria this year and a lot of people will come and be part of our debut in the IRC.

Entries close on Thursday 20 September and more details are available at www.rallysliven.com.

Rally Sliven: key features

*Ceremonial start in Sliven on Friday 28 September

*Superspecial stage in host city, one of 13 asphalt runs over competitive distance of 197.32 kilometres

*Technical stages based in the mountains above Sliven, 300 kilometres from Bulgarias capital, Sofia

*Finishing podium at 14:30hrs local time on Sunday 30 September

*Day-by-day highlights and Inside IRC magazine programme on Eurosport

Rally Sliven is round 11 of the 13-event IRC season. The series concludes with Rallye Sanremo in Italy from 12-13 October and the Cyprus Rally based in Pafos from 2-3 November.

Jimmy Eriksson vor seinem größten Triumph

Veröffentlicht am 12.9.2012 von Wolfgang

Eriksson kann am Ring den Titel holen

Schon am kommenden Wochenende kann die Entscheidung um den Meistertitel im ATS Formel-3-Cup fallen. Der Schwede Jimmy Eriksson hat sich mit 86 Punkten Vorsprung in eine exzellente Lage gebracht. Maximal 75 Punkte sind am 15./16. August auf dem Nürburgring zu holen und dann noch mal 75 Zähler am letzten September-Wochenende in Hockenheim. Dass der erfahrene 21-Jährige aus dem Team Lotus noch längst nicht am Ziel ist, zeigt seine Ausbeute bei den beiden vergangenen Veranstaltungen: magere 53 Punkte sprangen für Eriksson heraus. Und die Konkurrenz wird immer stärker.
Vor allem die Rookies steigern sich von Rennen zu Rennen, sie profitieren von jeder Runde die sie absolvieren. Mit dem Österreicher Lucas Auer und dem Australier Mitchell Gilbert sind zwei von ihnen schon ganz vorne angekommen. Auer, der in der Woche vor dem Nürburgring-Event seinen 18. Geburtstag feierte, lauert nicht nur auf den Vizetitel, sondern auch auf die 10.000 Euro, die es im SONAX Rookie-Pokal zu kassieren gibt. Das wäre mehr, als ich vor der Saison erwartet habe, grinst der Neffe von Formel-1-Legende Gerhard Berger. Hinter Lucas Auer ist Kimiya Sato auf dem dritten Tabellenplatz wieder erstarkt. Der Formel-3-Routinier aus Japan wähnt seine Durststrecke überwunden, nachdem er auf dem Lausitzring vor drei Wochen endlich wieder auf dem Siegerpodest stand. Für Mitchell Gilbert gilt das Gleiche wie für Lucas Auer: der 18-Jährige kann locker noch Vizemeister und bester Formel-3-Neuling des Jahres 2012 werden.
Man sollte bei den Saisonrennen 22, 23 und 24 aber unbedingt auf den Dallara F311 VW Power Engine mit der Startnummer 19 achten. Hier sitzt mit Tom Blomqvist ein absoluter Formel-3-Kenner im Cockpit. Der 18-Jährige ist immer für Siege und Bestzeiten gut. Mit dem Ausgang der Meisterschaft hat Blomqvist allerdings nichts mehr zu tun, da er wegen einer Terminüberschneidung das Finale in Hockenheim nicht bestreiten wird.
Von einer ganze Reihe Piloten geht immer Gefahr aus. Rene Binder, Yannick Mettler, Artem Markelov, Dennis van de Laar oder auch Luca Stolz bilden das starke, vordere Mittelfeld. Podestplätze hat jeder Einzelne schon eingefahren, der ganz große Durchbruch könnte schon an diesem Wochenende in der Eifel stattfinden.
Nachdem Luca Stolz in den ATS Formel-3-Cup wechselte, hat mit Andre Ruderdorf der zweite Deutsche das Heft in der ATS Formel-3-Trophy fest in die Hand genommen. Der Titel in dieser separaten Wertung scheint ihm sicher, so wie dem Belgier Jordy Weckx der Vizetitel winkt. Wer allerdings für Platz drei das Preisgeld kassieren wird ist fraglich, der Italiener Luca Iannaccone oder der Schweizer Dominik Kocher.
Auch von ATS Formel-3-Cup auf dem Nürburgring berichten die Medien wieder umfangreich. Der TV-Sender SPORT1 zeigt den 22. Saisonlauf am Samstag, 15. September live und zwar von 11:20 Uhr bis 11:50 Uhr. Alle drei Rennen sind per Live-Stream und Live-Timing über das Internet unter www.formel3.de im Detail zu verfolgen.

www.formel3.de

SUSTO PARA DAVID SALOM EN NURBURGRING

Veröffentlicht am 9.9.2012 von Wolfgang

Antworten

David Salom no ha podido disputar las dos mangas de carrera del mundial de Superbikes que se celebraban este fin de semana en Alemania. El piloto mallorquin ha sufrido un aparatoso accidente durante la sesión de Superpole.
Tras las sesiones de entrenamiento donde Salom lograba clasificarse en decimosexta posición, durante la clasificatoria Superpole, David daba gas a su Kawasaki y perdia el control del tren trasero acabando en el asfalto y golpeándose fuertemente la cabeza en la caída.
David fue trasladado rápidamente a la unidad médica donde le diagnosticaron una conmoción cerebral y mantuvieron en observación durante la noche de ayer sábado.
David Salom: "Me encuentro dolorido y algo mareado, esta mañana no he podido participar en la carrera, estaré un par de días descansando para recuperarme lo antes posible."

Departamento de prensa David Salom
Piloto Mundial de Superbikes
www.davidsalom.com
prensa@davidsalom.com
Calle Reina Constança, 19b
07006 Palma de Mallorca
T. 971 291 321
M. 616 99 26 87

Markus Pommer takes commanding win at the Hungaroring

Veröffentlicht am 9.9.2012 von Wolfgang

Three contenders remain as title race goes into season finale at Monza

Markus Pommer took a dominant lights-to-flag victory during today’s (Sunday) second Formula Two race at the Hungaroring, finishing ahead of Mathéo Tuscher and Dino Zamparelli to push the championship battle into a season finale at Monza

After technical issues cut short his race yesterday, the 21-year-old powered from pole position to take his third win of the season by a margin of more than 16s, keeping him in contention for the title honours. Kevin Mirocha finished just outside the podium positions in fourth with race one winner Alex Fontana completing the top five at the sun-soaked Budapest circuit.

As the lights went out, Pommer made a great getaway to lead from Tuscher with Zamparelli up into third on the opening lap, with a great move around the outside of Mirocha at Turn 3. Another poor start by Fontana saw the Swiss drop to fifth ahead of Christopher Zanella, Mihai Marinescu and championship leader Luciano Bacheta.

Fontana was all over the back of Mirocha in the battle for fourth during the early stages of the race with the Pole defending fiercely and backing up a train of cars behind.

Bacheta was also having a battle of his own with fellow countryman Daniel McKenzie with McKenzie passing the championship leader around the outside of Turn 2 on lap 13 before Bacheta fought back.

There was no stopping Pommer though with the German consistently lapping in the mid 1:37s to take the chequered flag from Tuscher with the two now the only drivers who can still challenge Bacheta for the title honours.

Zanella finished sixth and now drops out of the title running as does seventh placed Mihai Marinescu. Bacheta, who struggled for pace throughout, managed to hold off McKenzie for eighth position to end a mixed weekend for the title leader with Axcil Jefferies completing the top 10.

Speaking afterwards Pommer said: "That was an amazing race! The start wasn’t perfect but it was ok and after two or three laps the car just felt amazing and so stable. After that I just drove like a machine and didn’t look in my mirrors or at my lap times and just kept pushing. It certainly makes up for what happened yesterday."

The final F2 rounds take place on 28-30 September in Monza with full coverage on the official championship website.

F2 Results: Hungaroring – Race 2:
1. Markus Pommer, 22 laps
2. Mathéo Tuscher, +16.227s
3. Dino Zamparelli, +18.811s
4. Kevin Mirocha, +28.927s
5. Alex Fontana, +31.243s
6. Christopher Zanella, +32.898s
7. Mihai Marinescu, +34.933s
8. Luciano Bacheta, +36.608s
9. Daniel McKenzie, +37.515s
10. Axcil Jefferies, +39.392s
11. David Zhu, +53.573s
12. Richard Gonda, +56.481s
13. Plamen Kralev, +1:00.353s
14. Hector Hurst, +1:01.019s
15. Max Snegirev, +1:39.092s
F2 Drivers standings: After Rd 14:
1. Luciano Bacheta, 208.5pts
2. Matheo Tuscher, 175pts
3. Markus Pommer, 165pts
4. Christopher Zanella, 161pts
5. Mihai Marinescu, 141pts
6. Kevin Mirocha, 126.5pts
7. Alex Fontana, 105pts
8. Dino Zamparelli, 94.5pts
9. Daniel McKenzie, 94pts
10. Hector Hurst, 27pts

www.formulatwo.com

Video X-BOW BATTLE in Hockenheim 2012

Veröffentlicht am 8.9.2012 von Wolfgang

http://youtu.be/CuExD63HC4E

PRESENTADA LA TERCERA EDICIÓN DEL RALLYE VALL DE SANT PERE

Veröffentlicht am 8.9.2012 von Wolfgang

Ayer por la noche tuvo lugar la presentación de la tercera edición del Rallye Vall de Sant Pere que se disputará los próximos días 14 y 15 de septiembre. El acto tuvo lugar en las instalaciones de SEAT Amcars y estuvo presidido por D. Josep Mª Ferrà, teniente de Alcalde de Esporles, D. Martí Serra, jefe de ventas de Amcars, Rafael Ferragut, presidente de la FAIB y D. Arnau Bisquerra, presidente de la Escudería Mallorca Competició,

Numerosos aficionados y pilotos se dieron cita para conocer como será esta tercera edición de una prueba que gracias a sus dos ediciones anteriores se ha consolidado como una de las mejores del regional de rallyes. La carrera dará inicio el viernes día 14 a las 21:00 horas y la primera sección constará de una sola pasada por el tramo Puigpunyent – Valldemossa (13,5 kms), para acabar en Esporles donde se ubicará el parque cerrado.

La segunda sección dará inicio el sábado a las 09:53 y estará formada por una sola especial, Bunyola Orient – Alaró (12,6 kms) que recorrerán en dos ocasiones. Tras esta segunda sección los participantes dispondrán de algunas horas para revisar los vehículos de cara a la tercera sección. Esta tercera sección consta de tres tramos cronometrados Es Grau Andraitx (8,9 kms) Sa Coma (5,5 kms) y Es Capdellà Galilea (6 kms) que deberán recorrer en tres ocasiones.

En el transcurso de la presentación también se dio a conocer la lista de inscritos que está formada por 48 equipos de los que 9 corresponden a la modalidad de Regularidad y 39 a la de Competición superándose el número de inscritos de las dos ediciones precedentes consolidando la prueba en el calendario como la preferida de pilotos y aficionados.

Para ampliar información puede contactar con:

Miguel Ferrer Tel. 619674644 mferrer@ferbispress.com
Pep Cifre Tel. 678637231 pcifre@ferbispress.com

Lista de inscritos disponible en el siguiente enlace: http://www.escuderiamallorca.com/documentos/inscritos_rvdsp_v2.pdf

Localización de los tramos y horarios de paso y cierre de carretera disponible en el siguiente enlace: http://www.escuderiamallorca.com/documentos/localizacion_tramos_horarios.pdf

Alex Fontana storms to maiden F2 win at the Hungaroring

Veröffentlicht am 8.9.2012 von Wolfgang

Podium for Bacheta to edge closer to championship title

Alex Fontana ended his run of bad luck with a superb maiden Formula Two win during today’s (Friday) sun-soaked race at the Hungaroring, powering his way from fourth on the grid to finish ahead of pole-sitter Kevin Mirocha and Luciano Bacheta.

The 20-year-old Swiss, who hasn’t been on the podium since the opening rounds at Silverstone, benefited from an incident-packed opening few laps before making a decisive move on race-leader Kevin Mirocha at Turn 1 on lap four, before pulling away to take the chequered flag.

There was drama before the lights had even gone out at the Budapest circuit as front-row starter Markus Pommer was forced to pull into the pits. That gave Mirocha a clean run off the line where he wasted little time in leading the field into the first hairpin, closely followed by Mathéo Tuscher. A poor starting Fontana allowed Mihai Marinescu to get ahead and into third while Bacheta was up into fifth, benefitting from Daniel McKenzie running wide on the opening lap. A mistake by Hector Hurst at Turn 2 then saw contact between him, David Zhu and Axcil Jefferies with Dino Zamparelli also having to take evasive action.

Then on lap three Marinescu tried a bold move on Tuscher into Turn 1 for second place with the Romanian making contact with the back of the his car, ending his race and dropping Tuscher right down the field before eventually retiring.

A lap later Fontana then saw his chance to squeeze by Mirocha with Bacheta also finding himself in a podium position while his title rivals were nowhere to be seen. Zamparelli was also working his way through the field after getting past newcomer Richard Gonda at the chicane for P7, before dispatching Max Snegriev to eventually finish sixth.

At the front, Fontana was making full use of a clear track to build a sizeable gap while the closest battle lay for third with McKenzie pushing his fellow countryman all the way to the line. Fifth spot went to Christopher Zanella with Max Snegirev scoring his first points finish of the season with seventh. Slovakian newcomer Gonda finished a respectable eighth with Plamen Kralev and David Zhu completing the top 10.

Speaking afterwards Fontana said: "It was a great race and a long overdue win! The qualifying was a little disappointing given how quick we were in free practice but it was still a good grid slot. I did get a bit lucky with Marinescu and Tuscher making contact and then I was able to stay behind Mirocha and use my overboost to get past him and then my speed did the rest."

With a 47.5 point lead, Bacheta can now secure the championship title during tomorrow’s second race which gets underway at 14:30 (local time).

F2 Results: Hungaroring – Race 1:

1. Alex Fontana, 22 laps
2. Kevin Mirocha, +2.774s
3. Luciano Bacheta, +9.111s
4. Daniel McKenzie, +9.922s
5. Christopher Zanella, +17.442s
6. Dino Zamparelli, +29.559s
7. Max Snegirev, +35.525s
8. Richard Gonda, +52.293s
9. Plamen Kralev, +1:02.435s
10. David Zhu, +1:17.957s
11. Markus Pommer, DNF
12. Mathéo Tuscher, DNF
13. Mihai Marinescu, DNF
14. Axcil Jefferies, DNF
15. Hector Hurst, DNF

Kevin Mirocha storms to maiden pole at the Hungaroring

Veröffentlicht am 8.9.2012 von Wolfgang

Pole secures pole during closely fought session

Kevin Mirocha secured his maiden pole during today’s (Friday) closely fought Formula Two qualifying at the Hungaroring, setting a blistering lap midway through the session to edge out Markus Pommer by a mere 0.027s.

Swiss teenager Mathéo Tuscher, currently lying second in the drivers‘ standings, finished third after opting to go out late and putting in a flying middle sector during his best lap – leaving the top three covered by just 0.125s

Alex Fontana was the first driver to set a competitive lap time during the 30-minute sun-soaked session with the Swiss racer ending fourth – his best qualifying result since Spa. Fifth spot went to Mihai Marinescu, competing at his adopted home circuit, while British duo of Daniel McKenzie and Luciano Bacheta both set identical lap times to go sixth and seventh – with the championship leader setting his time second.

Christopher Zanella was another driver who opted to only go out in the second half of the session but the 22-year-old was unable to recreate his leading pace shown during Thursday’s pre-event test to end eighth.

Axcil Jefferies secured ninth with Hector Hurst rounding out the top 10 ahead of today’s race (round 13) which gets underway at 13:50 (local time).

Speaking afterwards Mirocha said: "I’ve been working hard on my pace and set-up and we’ve made good progress this weekend. I knew from yesterday’s practice that we were strong and although the session was tough with quite a few yellow flags, I got everything correct on my quick lap time using new tyres and I’m very happy with my first pole and for everyone back in Poland."

Live streaming of today’s race will also be available on www.formulatwo.com

F2 Results: Hungaroring – Qualifying 1:

1. Kevin Mirocha, 1:34.681s
2. Markus Pommer, +0.027s
3. Mathéo Tuscher, +0.125s
4. Alex Fontana, +0.250s
5. Mihai Marinescu, +0.530s
6. Daniel McKenzie, +0.615s
7. Luciano Bacheta, +0.615s
8. Christopher Zanella, +0.634s
9. Axcil Jefferies, +0.906s
10. Hector Hurst, +1.005s
11. David Zhu, +1.007s
12. Dino Zamparelli, +1.197s
13. Richard Gonda, +1.306s
14. Max Snegirev, +1.541s
15. Plamen Kralev, +1.589s

Alex Fontana sets the pace in opening Hungaroring practice

Veröffentlicht am 8.9.2012 von Wolfgang

Swiss ahead of Mirocha and Marinescu in sun-soaked session

Alex Fontana got his Hungaroring weekend off to the best possible start by topping the timesheets during today’s (Friday) opening Formula Two practice, needing just one five-lap run to come away with the top spot ahead of Kevin Mirocha and Mihai Marinescu.

The 20-year-old Swiss/Greek racer posted a best time of 1:34.787s late in the 45-minute session to outpace his nearest rival by +0.187s – three tenths up on yesterday’s leading test time.

With a full day’s running already under their belts, understandably several drivers were slow to take to the track with Briton’s Daniel McKenzie, currently lying seventh in the standings, the only man to post a competitive time in the early stages. He was eventually joined by the rest of the field with Mihai Marinescu, competing on his adopted home circuit, going top before the Romanian ended third overall.

Yesterday’s pace-setter Christopher Zanella looked threatening for much of the session but could only manage fourth ahead of German Markus Pommer and Swiss teenager Mathéo Tuscher

Zimbabwean Axcil Jefferies impressed to finish seventh – one of his best performances of the year so far – ahead of championship leader Luciano Bacheta who is still yet to fully get to grips with the 4.381km Budapest track. McKenzie ended ninth ahead of Chinese racer David Zhu while newcomer Richard Gonda, who finished sixth during official pre-event testing, ending 12th.

Today’s second practice session gets underway at 15:45 (local time) with full coverage on the F2 website.

F2 Results: Hungaroring – Practice 1:

1. Alex Fontana, 1:34.787s
2. Kevin Mirocha, +0.187s
3. Mihai Marinescu, +0.238s
4. Christopher Zanella, +0.397s
5. Markus Pommer, +0.634s
6. Mathéo Tuscher, +0.647s
7. Axcil Jefferies, +0.706s
8. Luciano Bacheta, +0.761s
9. Daniel McKenzie, +1.038s
10. David Zhu, +1.277s
11. Hector Hurst, +1.554s
12. Richard Gonda, +1.617s
13. Plamen Kralev, +1.887s
14. Max Snegirev, +2.187s
15. Dino Zamparelli, –

HONDA LAUNCH WTCC-INSPIRED ROAD CAR

Veröffentlicht am 8.9.2012 von Wolfgang

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HONDA LAUNCH WTCC-INSPIRED ROAD CAR

Honda has launched a limited WTCC edition of the Civic 2.2 i-DTEC road car that will be on sale in Autumn on the Swiss market at the price of 31,900 francs.
The new car is powered by a 4-cylinder, 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine that supplies 150 bhp at 4000 rpm and a torque of 350 Nm. Its look and livery have been directly inspired by the Civic WTCC racing car, including 17 wheels. The gearbox is manual, with 6 speeds and suspension has been set to enhance precision and grip.
The Civic i-DTEC WTCC combines sporty look and performance with respect for the environment: its fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions are limited to 4.4 litres/100 km and 115 g/km respectively.
Tiago Monteiro and Gabriele Tarquini had the opportunity to discover Hondas new road car during their recent test at the Slovakia Ring, where they also offered a thrilling ride to Hungarian swimmer Daniel Gyurta, gold medalist in the 200 metres breaststroke at the London Olympics.

MORE TESTING FOR HONDA AT VALLELUNGA

MORE TESTING FOR HONDA AT VALLELUNGA

The Honda Racing Team JAS returned to Vallelunga this week for two more days of testing with the Gabriele Tarquini and the Civic WTCC car, on Wednesday and Thursday.
Team Principal Alessandro Mariani commented: The rain spoiled the first day, but on Thursday we completed
many laps and tested different set up solutions. We were not looking for performance, but as soon as Gabriele were given new tyres, he was also able to clock good lap times. We have improved significantly from our previous test here.
The team will test again at Portimão soon. We have two priorities before shipping the car to Japan: keeping on with the technical development and giving Tiago Monteiro the opportunity to get used to the car in view of the races at Suzuka, Shanghai and Macau. In the Portuguese test Gabriele will be at the wheel on day one working on the technical choices, while Monteiro will take over on the second day to drive as more kilometres as possible, Mariani explained.

MULLER RETURNS TO THE WRC RALLYE DE FRANCE

MULLER RETURNS TO THE WRC RALLYE DE FRANCE

WTCC reigning champion and current point leader Yvan Muller will take part in the WRC Rallye de France Alsace at the wheel of a MINI John Cooper Works car run by Prodrive WRC Team.
This will mark Mullers third participation to his home event, after he drove a Citroën Xsara WRC in 2010 and a Peugeot 207 Super 2000 in 2011.
I love this rally that is held in my home region, and I was obviously delighted to be offered this opportunity to drive for a professional team and in a competitive car that will put me in the position of aiming for a good result, commented Muller who will be teaming with co-driver Guy Leneveu.
The Rallye de France Alsace will take place from 4 to 7 October.

www.fiawtcc.com

Richard Gonda joins F2 field at Hungaroring

Veröffentlicht am 8.9.2012 von Wolfgang

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Slovakian adds name to entry list for rounds 13 and 14 this weekend

Slovakian driver Richard Gonda will make his FIA Formula Two Championship debut this weekend (7-9 September) when he joins the grid for rounds 13 and 14 at the Hungaroring.

The 18-year-old has previously raced in Formula Renault 2.0 in both NEC and Eurocup and enjoyed his first outing in the JPH1B F2 car during yesterdays (Thursday) pre-event test, finishing an impressive sixth overall.

Speaking to Formulatwo.com Gonda said: Im pleased to be racing in F2 this weekend. Testing went really well yesterday and we didnt expect to be on the pace of the regular F2 drivers so were happy that we were competitive.

The car is really nice to drive and I was able to adapt pretty quickly although its still a big step up for me. Well have to see how things go in free practice and over the weekend but Ive raced here before which should help and hopefully we can be fighting for the top 10.

Todays first free practice session gets underway at 11:45 (local time) with full coverage, including live timing, available on www.formulatwo.com.