Groskamp sets pace in Denmark

Jilles Groskamp has made the perfect start to his new tenure at Tamiya by setting the quickest time in round 1 of the 2008 DHI Cup, giving him maximum points for the round with 3 of the 5 to count. Heading into Heat 21, the final heat of the round, it was Hot Bodies racer Andy Moore that had taken the TQ spot over from Shin Adachi, who had only taken the spot in the previous heat. Heat 12 saw a gaggle of quick cars, all on TQ pace which included Juho Levanen, Teemu Leino and of course Groskamp. In the final moments Jilles managed to get his head down and put in the laps needed to take the top spot and was aided by a slowing Levanen, run time being a struggle for a lot of the competitors.

A racer who had a good pace, but was very unfortunate was defending Champion Ronald Volker, the German racer suffering a tire problem that slowed him but was still able to take 7th, “I am not happy with today. I had a problem with my tyre with no glue on the inside. For sure tomorrow I can improve tomorrow at least I hope so.”

Going in to tomorrows final 4 rounds of qualifying the race for TQ is still wide open but the overnight pole sitter is feeling confident of his chances, “It feels great. The first qualification and TQ, that is perfect. It was not very easy but I still did it and it counts because its round by round”. Asked if he would make any changes overnight to his TRF416 the Dutchman replied, “I will try some mirror changes maybe with the shocks and springs but the car is getting better as the tyres wear down. My big focus for tomorrow is to work on the power. Run time is very close now. I dumped a little at the end but I can see the motor is very dirty and I to clean it. Apart from my car I will help Marc (Rheinhard) with his car as it was not so good so he will try my set-up tomorrow.”

Top 10 Modified Qualifying Positions
After Round 1 of 5
1. Jilles Groskamp (Netherlands) – 19L 315.23
2. Teemu Leino (Finland) – 19L 316.27
3. Viktor Wilck (Sweden) – 19L 316.28
4. Andy Moore (England) – 19L 316.48
5. Juho Levanen (Finland) – 19L 318.38
6. Steen Graversen (Denmark) – 18L 300.95
7. Ronald Volker (Germany) – 18L 301.43
8. Shin Adachi (Japan) – 18L 302.09
9. Marc Rheinard (Germany) – 18L 303.49
10. Alexander Hagberg (Sweden) – 18L 303.79

Jilles Groskamp takes overnight TQ

In a great drive in heat 21, it was Jilles Groskamp that has claimed TQ in a very tight run that saw pace setter Juho Levanen slow on the final lap. Teemu Leino now lies in 2nd place, 1 second behind with Vicktor Wilck and Andy Moore, who had set TQ in the heat before, all on the same second.

Top 10 Modified after 1 of 5 rounds
1. Jilles Groskamp (Netherlands) – 19L 315.23
2. Teemu Leino (Finland) – 19L 316.27
3. Viktor Wilck (Sweden) – 19L 316.28
4. Andy Moore (England) – 19L 316.48
5. Juho Levanen (Finland) – 19L 318.38
6. Steen Graversen (Denmark) – 18L 300.95
7. Ronald Volker (Germany) – 18L 301.43
8. Shin Adachi (Japan) – 18L 302.09
9. Marc Rheinard (Germany) – 18L 303.49
10. Alexander Hagberg (Sweden) – 18L 303.79

Full report to follow.

Christoph Thiele overnight Stock TQ

The first round of Stock (19T) qualifying is over and it was German Xray racer Christoph Thiele that set the pace, posting the only 17 lap run in this class. Earlier in the round it was Oliver Nathe that had set down a great time in a very early heat which was only beaten in the last 2 heats in which Thiele set his time. Talking to the young German racer he had the following to say: ‘I am very pleased to end the opening day fastest. My car was good and I hope will be able to hold onto my position tomorrow. There is more time to come from the track so tomorrow I’m sure more drivers will break into the 17 laps.’

Second quickest heading in to the overnight break is UK racer Luke Hobson, who had carried his quick pace across from the practice runs to end up only 1 second behind the pole man. Sharing the same second in 3rd spot and only 7 tenths back is local Corally racer Rasmus T Callesen.

Top 5 in Stock (19T) after 1 round of 5
1. Christoph Thiele (Germany) – 17L 318.18
2. Luke Hobson (England) – 16L 301.11
3. Rasmus T. Callesen (Denmark) – 16L 301.84
4. Bastian Hennig (Germany) – 16L 303.26
5. Florian Ring (Germany) – 16L 303.41
6. Dennis Hassing (Denmark) – 16L 307.02
7. Oliver Nathe (Germany) – 16L 307.74
8. Tommy Bergfeldt (Sweden) – 16L 308.96
9. Palle Hornum (Denmark) – 16L 309.27
10.Goran Langsholt (Norway) – 16L 309.71

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Levanen quickest after practice

In Fridays 4th and final practice session it was Finnish Associated racer Juho Levanen that set the pace going into qualifying. Setting a 16.13 second lap, in a round that saw traction come up quite considerably, the TC5 raceronly ranked 11th based on 5 minute runs, but as with the rest of the drivers he was using the practice session to fine tune his setup. Fastest in the overall ranking after practice was Xray racer Alexander Hagberg, who got his head down and recorded 18 laps in 304.08, just ahead of fellow Swedish racer Alexander Hagberg, driving the Tamiya TRF416. Rounding out the top 3 in modified class was Marc Rheinard 2 seconds behind his team mate.

In the 19T class it was Bastian Hennig that set the clear pace, 5 seconds ahead of English racer Luke Hobson in 2nd, both drivers recording 16 laps. After practice the organisers had to replace a section of the track that was lifting on the right section of the track as well as repair a torn section on the straight that lifted in the final practice heat affecting drivers lines going down the straight.

The first rounds of qualifying is now currently underway with 19T on the track.

DHI Cup – Friday training

Red RC have just arrived at the huge Odense Congress Center for the 2008 DHI Cup and after checking our equipment and getting an internet connection we are now ready to get down to some reporting. We came just as the quick modified guys were completing their 3rd practice runs and working on finalising their setups. With the final round of practice being completed at the moment, the 19 turn racers are on track getting much need track time on this beautifully presented long and tight track.

Timing is only being now activated for the 4th round so racers can get an idea on who is quick and who has more work to do. Today will see only 1 round of qualifying for both classes and only then shall we get a true idea of who has done their homework.

DHI Cup 2008 – Preview

This years DHI Cup takes place in the Odense Congress Centre, Denmark, a huge venue that will play host to the event until at least 2010 thanks to a 3 year deal agreed between the hall owners and the race organisers. This event is the first major European race of the year and although racing continues in earnest during the winter in Europe, the DHI cup is where newly signed racers make their debut and manufacturers aim to prove the claims made about their new cars. The race, now in its 8th year, has only seen one repeat winner, 2002 World Champion Atsushi Hara, who took the title in 2004 and 2005 and who will be back this year to try and make it three. Other racers to take top honours in the Modified class in recent years are Marc Rheinard in 2006, while last year the race was won by current European Champion Ronald Volker who will be out to defend his crown.

As one of Europe’s leading events, there is large manufacturer interest, and apart from sending their top factory drivers, racers arrive to race with the latest parts and even prototype cars. This year there is word that Atsushi Hara will be running a prototype version of the World Champion Hot Bodies Cyclone, or at least some special parts, and also that the Kyosho factory team are expected to be using a modified version of the TF-5. Serpent will make their DHI debut with Niclas Nilsson and Bart Wubben, while making his debut for new sponsor Tamiya, Jilles Groskamp, who is a former winner, will be putting the new 416 through its paces.

The Red RC team will arrive in Odense on Friday morning, ready to bring you the best coverage possible with our team bringing you reports, pictures, live results and video. Red RC’s coverage of the DHI Cup 2008 is brought to you by Carson Modelsport and Team Orion, without whom this coverage would not be possible.

Image: Sports Galleri [sportsgalleri.dk]