Asian Nitro Party grids set in China – Semi Finals Update
The 1:8 A-Main grids for the inaugural Asian Nitro Party at Hongyu GDC in China are set with the completion of the Semi finals which saw Infinity’s Naoto Matsukura and Xray’s Filippo Domanin winning their respective 1:8 Onroad encounters. Starting from 7th on the grid after a tough qualifying yesterday, Matsukura would win the 20-minute encounter ahead of the Mugen Seiki of second place qualifier & Semi pole sitter JJ Wang. With the second of the Semis proving the faster, Matsukura lines up directly behind compatriot and Top Qualifier Sinnosuke Yokoyama for the 45-minute Main. Experiencing a bad first fuel stop, his Serpent needing to be marshalled on the raised pit lane, Andrea Catanzani completed the Top 3 to secure 4th on the grid behind Wang. The first of the Semis run with Hotrace’s Nicole Marrone leading them away, Domanin would find his way passed his compatriot and stay their to the end, his race time good enough for 5th on the grid in front of Marrone. Completing the Top 3 with his Infinity, Li Cong booked 7th on the grid as the Top local Chinese racer.
In 1:8 GT it was Genius drivers Bernard-Alain Arnaldi and Raul Anton who took the two Semi Finals. Again it was the second encounter that was the faster race with Arnaldi winning ahead of World Champion Alessio Mazzeo’s Raptor. The French driver will line-up for the final right behind Top Qualifier Natanaele Senesi with Mazzeo in third. Spanish Champion Anton is set to start fourth ahead of Italy’s Attilio D’Angelo, who finished third in the second Semi fresh after winning the 40+ GT Main. Winner of the earlier 50+ GT Main, Hobbywing’s Salton Dong, who is making an impressive Nitro GT race debut here in Foshan, completes the Top 6 on the 10 car grid having finish second to Anton in his Semi.