Spataro tops 3rd practice
He was tipped as one to watch when we arrived in Gubbio and so far Biagio Spataro is living up to the hype by setting some super fast times topping the third round of controlled practice with a 15.956. The 15-year-old was helped by running very soft 35 shore tyres which he said made his Xray very fast but he admitted tyre wear was high. Very happy with the consistency of the JP powered NT1 he plans to run the same set-up again in the fourth of today’s five controlled practice sessions.
Second fastest was factory Xray driver Martin Hudy (16.036). The World Championship podium finisher switched to running 100K diff oil front and rear in his NT1 which he said after some adjustment to the rear toe made the car feel much better, especially the steering. The Slovak driver also said that switching to the Blitz body today having run the Stratus the last three days had made the car faster through the chicane. Hudy plans to again try different diff oil for the next run with 150K in the front and the rear toe reduced to its earlier setting.
With a transponder now fitted to his car Francesco Tironi (16.046) was third fastest. The Italian said his Mugen was fast but difficult to drive and he will try a softer tyre to make it more consistent. Jilles Groskamp (16.081) was fastest of the Serpent 733 drivers just ahead of teammate Michael Salven (16.114). Running 37/42 shore Xceed tyres Dutch ace Groskamp said the car was better today having run 37/40 yesterday. With his Max engine now working well he will switch to a new unit for the next run but doesn’t plan any other changes. Salven, a two time European Champion, said he is ‘almost there’ with his Mega ZX working much better today. The German said his 733 has been perfect since Monday and now the speed is good he is much happier. For defending Champion Dario Balestri (16.121) things went much better in the third practice as he posted his best lap of the day to be fifth fastest. Multiple Austrian National Champion Manuel Huber (16.123) complete the Top 6 for the round.
This morning’s pace setter Alexander Hagberg had a very short third run. The 1:10 nitro newcomer is currently running in one of the slower heats and got collected by a slower car on his seventh lap which tore a front shock of his Xray. Daniele Ielasi was in a much happier mood after the third round having got the gearbox to his liking on the new Shepherd.
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