Incomplete run nets Pietsch new TQ!
Despite failing to complete the full 10-minutes in the third round of qualifying Robert Pietsch has bettered his overnight TQ time. This morning’s cooler track conditions lived up to expectations with the majority of the front runners setting down quicker times. Starting the heat in last position Pietsch’s Mugen was on for a 30 lap run but on his last lap he thought the computer announced the race over and the German came into the pits but that was not the case for the No.3 car. Afterwards he said the computer announcements are not very clear in the rostrum but wasn’t too upset about missing out on the 30 lapper saying his 29/9:59.566 was just as good. Alberto Picco recorded the second fastest time but had a scare when he was told he was disqualified for his pitman leaving the pitlane without handing in his controlled Orion fuel. It soon turned out that officials had mistaken Picco’s pitman for that of Andrea Pirani who during his first pitstop took a front wheel off his Mugen having hit the pitwall.
Heading an overnight transformation at Team Motonica, 20-year-old Belgian star Robin D’hondt put in a stunning run to jump into third position. The current German National Champion, who found his P81 was tweaked at the end of yesterday’s qualifying, was surprised himself at how much dialling this out had transformed the Novarossi powered car and was delighted with his performance. D’hondt plans to adjust the rear downstops to try get a little more steering but feels it will be hard to better his time.
Setting the 4th fastest time, Japanese driver Masao Tanaka said he is finding the Lostallo track very difficult but was happier with the grip levels this morning. Still not 100% happy with the set-up on his Max powered Kyosho he will make further changes for Q4.
Team Shepherd driver Josh Cyrul found new speed this morning jumping into the Top 5 for the first time. The American said his car set-up has been good all week but getting a good tuning balance on his Novarossi between the bottom & high end was difficult with it running super rich low down. Fitting an exhaust gas cooler this morning he said this had cured the problem and made the Velox V8 much nicer to drive due to the smoother power band.
Lamberto Collari, who held second overnight, failed to capitalised on the faster track conditions with a mistake costing him any chance of improving on his time from yesterday. As a result the the Kyosho drops to sixth.
Working on his Motonica late into the night seems to have paid dividends for Dario Balestri. The 2007 Worlds Finalist posted the seventh fastest time as Motonica start to come into contention here in Lostallo but says his P81 is still not at its full potential. The Italian is looking for a better balance between steering and rear end grip.
Serpents Mark Green improved his time but the Serpent 966 drivers drops three places to eight. Having had a difficult day yesterday Japan’s Takaaki Shimo was pleased to go the full 10 minutes posting the 9th fastest time but the OS team driver said he is capable of more. Motonica designer Stefano Solaroli completed the Top 10.
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