Harper TQ’s controversial final qualifier

Tamiya Racing Factory’s Elliot Harper has TQ’d the final round of qualifying at the EFRA European Touring Car Championships in France but there was some controversy surrounding Q6.  A protest, fronted by Marc Rheinard, was made following the round regarding the use of unmarked tyres, during what was officially declared a wet round.  After 40 minutes of discussion between officials it was ruled that the protest was received outside the permitted time in which a protest can be made. Under the rules all tyres dry or wet need to be marked but in this case drivers ran unmarked tyres without any penalty.  Rheinard said his protest was not a direct protest but was made to highlight rules not being adhered to.  In the rules regarding the running of the European Championships it is stated that 5 rounds of qualifying will take place with the best two to count, but organisers ran 6 with three to count leaving the tyre allocation at 5 sets.  We understand a protest was made yesterday morning by the British team regarding the unusual format but this was over ruled.

While the debate on the running of this event is set to continue into the night and beyond, the outcome is that qualifying will be based on the best 3 of the 6 qualifiers meaning Harper will line up behind Volker who had already wrapped up pole position in Q5.  Asked if he can challenge the German for the win around the very technical track, the British teenager summed it up by saying ‘it is going to be hard to make a pass but on the other side it is also very easy to make a mistake.’  While mounting a challenge on Volker is Harper’s aim for the finals he must also be conscious of those starting behind with his TRF team-mates Viktor Wilck and defending Champion Jilles Groskamp lining up 3rd & 4th respectively.

Half the field in this year’s final is made up of former European Champions.  Fourth fastest in Q6, 2006 Champion Andy Moore will line up his Hot Bodies 5th on the grid, just in front of 2008 Champion Marc Rheinard, while 2002 & 2003 Champion Juho Levanen lines up 9th as the sole Team Associated.  Qualifying 7th on the grid, Yannick Pruemper has successfully defended his European Junior Championship title as he is the only driver aged 16-year-old or younger to make the main.  Hoping to give the locals reason to celebrate tomorrow Loic Jasmin is the only Frenchman in the A-Main with his Tamiya securing 8th.  Making it five different manufacturers in the final Marc Fischer takes the last spot on the grid with his factory Corally. A big surprise in terms of the grid is that there are no Xray cars in the main event.

Final qualifying standings
1. Ronald Volker (DE) – 0pts (Yokomo/LRP)
2. Elliott Harper (GB) – 5pts (Tamiya/Speed Passion)
3. Victor Wilck (SE) – 6pts (Tamiya/Speed Passion)
4. Jilles Groskamp (NL) – 7pts (Tamiya/Team Orion)
5. Andy Moore (GB) – 10pts (Hot Bodies/Nosram)
6. Marc Rheinard (DE) – 11pts (Tamiya/Speed Passion)
7. Yannick Pruemper (DE) – 12pts (Yokomo/Speed Passion)
8. Loïc Jasmin (FR) – 19pts (Tamiya/Team Orion)
9. Juho Levanen (FIN) – 23pts (Associated/LRP)
10.Marc Fischer (DE) – 27pts (Corally/GM)

Full results can be found here.

View our event image gallery here.