Rheinard tops opening day of 2010 DHI Cup

Having struggled in early practice, defending DHI Cup Champion Marc Rheinard put himself back in the driving seat by setting the fastest run in the final practice session here today in Odense, Denmark. The World Champion said his Speed Passion powered Tamiya TRF416X was much better than earlier, all thanks to a simple change of tyre additive. Originally drivers were scheduled to have just four rounds of practice today followed by the first round of qualifying, but race organisers decided that due to the reseed that competitors should be given a chance to practice in their new heat order and the qualifier, run exactly like a heat, was declared a practice run.

Posting a run of 19-laps in 5:08.521, Rheinard topped the session from Ronald Volker by just 2/100th. Seeded No.1 for qualifying after setting the three fastest consecutive laps, 2007 winner Volker said his car was really good for the first half of the run but then started to lose traction.  The German said he is not quite sure yet what needs to be changed to make the car more consistent for the full 5 minutes.

Third fastest for the run but once again the fastest man over a single lap, Teemu Leino was happy with his day despite a crash which cost him over a second. The only driver so far to break into the 15 second lap times, with a 15.973, the Finn said his Xray T3 was really good but he plans some small set-up changes for the morning track conditions.

Ending the final run of the day in fourth Steen Graversen is very happy with his Tamiya TRF416X chassis, the Dane saying his plan for tomorrow is to just focus on his driving. Alexander Hagberg wasn’t as complimentary about his Xray saying the car lacks corner speed.  Top Qualifier here last year, the Swede said he just cant push the car and will make a number of changes ahead of the opening qualifier.

In Pro Stock Tommy Bergfeldt continued his reign at the top of the time sheets recording a run of 18 laps in 5:12.485 along with a new fastest lap time of 16.748 for the 13.5 turn class.  Behind the Swede it was local driver Thomas Larsen at the controls of a Tamiya who posted the second fastest time with Ola Westholm’s TOP Photon completing the Top 3. Alexander Stocker didn’t have a good run and could only manage fourth.

Tomorrow the drivers will have five rounds of heats with the best three to count towards the placing for Sunday’s finals. Our coverage from the 10th running of the DHI Cup, which is supported by Yokomo and LRP, will continue with a report from the morning’s opening qualifier.

Modified class top 10 after practice
1. Marc Rheinard (DE) – 19L in 5:08.521 (Tamiya/Speedpassion)
2. Ronald Völker (DE) – 19L in 5:08.544 (Yokomo/LRP)
3. Teemu Leino (FI) – 19L in 5:09.529 (Xray/Team Orion)
4. Steen Graversen (DK) – 19L in 5:10.969 (Tamiya/Team Orion)
5. Alexander Hagberg (SE) – 19L in 5:12.219 (Xray/LRP)
6. Yannic Pruemper (DE) – 19L in 5:12.745 (Tamiya/Speedpassion)
7. Magnus Vässmar (SE) – 19L in 5:15.050 (Xray)
8. Jonas Kaerup (DK) – 19L in 5:15.385 (Tamiya/GM)
9. Simo Ahoniemi (FI) – 19L in 5:15.754 (Corally/GM)
10.Viktor Wilck (SE) – 19L in 5:16.782 (Tamiya/Speedpassion)

Pro Stock class top 10 after practice
1. Tommy Bergfeldt (SE) – 18L in 5:11.646 (HB)
2. Thomas Larsen (DK) – 18L in 5:12.485 (Tamiya)
3. Ola Westholm (SE) – 18L in 5:13.445 (TOP)
4. Alexander Stocker (DE) – 18L in 5:17.741 (HB)
5. Carsten Madsen (DK) – 17L in 5:01.150 (Tamiya)
6. Henry Salmén (FI) – 17L in 5:02.756 (Tamiya)
7. Tony Streit (DE) – 17L in 5:08.330 (HB)
8. Alexander Roeleveld (NL) – 17L in 5:08.476 (Tamiya)
9. Bastian Hennig (DE) – 17L in 5:08.672 (Xray)
10.Marcus Horn (DE) – 17L in 5:09.479 (Xray)

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