Savoya from Batlle in Heat 2
Renaud Savoya has repeated his Heat 1 performance in the second of today’s three scheduled qualifiers to again take maximum points here in Crete. Savoya ran a slightly slower time that this morning but was still the class of the field, however defending European Champion Robert Batlle sent out a warning shot that he is up for the job. Running a time just 3/10th off the Warm-up Race winner, the Spaniard was much more upbeat following the run. Big surprise in Heat 2 was the time set by young Czech driver Martin Bayer who was less than 5/10th off setting the TQ for the round.
Savoya was once again happy with his Ninja powered Mugen and other than running maybe different tyres the French Champion will use the same setting which so far he has used to great effect. Battle was pleased with the changes he made to his Hobao for Heat 2. Running a smaller piston hole in the rear shocks and larger holes in the front the car was working much better. The smaller rims also helped reduce side grip which caused him problems in Heat 1.
Former 1:5 World Championship Top Qualifier Martin Bayer was the real surprise on the Heat 2 time sheets. Running a GRP powered Losi, the 20 year old did not finish the first heat however going the distance in on this occasion he made his mark. Determined to repeat his pace, Bayer will change the rear shocks and anti roll bar to give him a little more rear but less side grip.
15 year old Elliot Boots, another member of the UK team who has relocated his pit area to the side of the pool at his hotel, was very happy with his Associated in Heat 2. Running a harder rear end on his RB powered RC8 the set up allowed his Hole Shot XTR tyres to work better and despite a mistake he set an impressive fourth fastest time. The young British driver says the track is very bumpy but the layout suits his driving style.
Former World Champion Alessandro Laffranchi and Portuguese driver Luis Rodrigo completed the Top 6 for Heat number 2. Yannick Aigoin and Jerome Sartel who where second and third fastest this morning managed only 20th and 11th times respectively in Heat 2 as they both made driver errors. Both French drivers say their cars are working really well and they will change little for the Heat No.3 but hopefully will have mistake free runs.
Top 10 after 2 rounds
1. SAVOYA Renaud (FR) – 8 Laps in 05:19.490 / 354pts
2. BATLLE Robert (ES) – 8 Laps in 05:20.606 / 348pts
3. HERNANDEZ Borja (ES) – 8 Laps in 05:28.880 / 343pts
4. SARTEL Jerome (FR) – 8 Laps in 05:25.081 / 341pts
5. LAFFRANCHI Alessandro (IT) – 8 Laps in 05:25.304 / 341pts
6. BOOTS Elliott (UK) – 8 Laps in 05:22.832 / 338pts
7. AIGOIN Yannick (FR) – 8 Laps in 05:23.696 / 336pts
8. BOERO Fabio (IT) – 8 Laps in 05:28.478 / 333pts
9. BLOOMFIELD Darren (UK) – 8 Laps in 05:30.097 / 333pts
10. LUIS Rodrigo (PT) – 8 Laps in 05:25.470 / 331pts
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