Reckward sets early pace in Germany
Former World Champion & 3-time European Champion Daniel Reckward was fastest on the opening day of the 2011 1:8 Offroad European Championships, the German setting the fastest three consecutive laps ahead of Losi’s Yannick Aigion and Mugen team-mate Robert Batlle. With the first 10-minute practice proving little more than a track cleaning exercise the second 15-minute practice gave drivers a better indication of where they are at.
Running the EU edition of the MBX-6, which he used at the Warm-up race to finish 5th, Reckward said his focus today was on getting a set-up that was easy to drive over a full run rather than being fast over a single lap. Running a new tyre from his engine sponsor RB, which he said worked really well, he was very happy with his buggy which was both comfortable to drive and quick. The man behind Tourex tyres said while it was nice to try the RB tyre and prove its potential, he will tomorrow work on getting the right tyre combo from his own range. Having run Tourex at the Warm-up he said he already has a good idea of what will work best.
2006 Champion Aigoin was pleased with his early pace and his N-vision powered 8ight. Last year’s Top Qualifier, he used today’s runs to test a lot of small things and is happy that he has got a good starting point for tomorrow’s two 10-minute controlled practices, the last 5-minutes of which will determine the reseeding of the heats. Running Pro Circuit tyres, Aigoin said he will continue with Square Impact but will use the morning to tyre different inserts.
Warm-up race winner Batlle described his Novarossi powered MBX-6 as a little nervous. Expecting the times to be very close at the end of 5-minutes due to the layout of the track, the Spaniard will switch to a softer front rollbar and run lighter oil in the rear diff to make the buggy easier to drive. Looking for a more comfortable set-up the pre race favourite will continue to run blue compound Sweet Shot from his tyre sponsor Pro Circuit preferring them to the softer green compound which he also tested today. Just 26/100th behind with the fourth fastest time was TLR’s Czech ace Martin Bayer who just 10 days ago became the European 1:5 Touring Car Champion.
Making it three Mugens in the top 5 on the opening day, British driver Simon Willetts took his Orion powered AKA shod example to the fifth fastest time just ahead of defending Champion Renaud Savoya’s Durango. Fourth at the warm-up race, Willetts said the day was about getting back into the groove of the unique hill side Sand-am-Main track and the only thing he tried different to the warm-up was a different shock set-up. Planning to talk to his Mugen team-mates tonight he will then decide on what changes to try in his first run tomorrow morning.
Savoya said his DNX408 felt fast but he would like to make it a little easier to driver. With a safer set-up he thinks it will ultimately lead to a faster car. Quickest of the Proline drivers he tested Blockhead tyres in both M2 and MX compound preferring the latter. Although Team Durango have brought a number of new parts for their buggy to Germany, Savoya opted to stick with what he knows and says he is happy with how all is working for now and hopes he can continue to build on his pace tomorrow.
Top 12 Practice times
1. Daniel Reckward – Mugen/RB – 1:25.212
2. Yannic Aigoin – Losi/nVision – 1:25.499
3. Robert Batlle – Mugen/Novarossi – 1:25.547
4. Martin Bayer – Losi/nVision – 1:25.571
5. Simon Willetts – Mugen/Orion – 1:25.870
6. Renaud Savoya – Durango/RB – 1:25.905
7. Marcel Guske – Mugen/RB – 1:26.055
8. Martin Karner – Agama/GO – 1:26.138
9. Simo Ahoniemi – Mugen /Ninja – 1:26.253
10.Teemu Leino – Xray/LRP – 1:26.326
11.Darren Bloomfield – Losi/Nitrotec – 1:26.408
12.Carsten Keller – Losi/nVision – 1:26.421
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