World Champion adds DHI Cup to tally

He’s a two time World Champion, a double European Champion and now he is a two time champion of the race which kicks of each new season of international touring car action – the DHI Cup.  Holder of the title in 2006, the Tamiya Racing Factory driver took the win over Top Qualifier Alexander Hagberg with Teemu Leino completing the podium at the 9th edition of the famous Danish race.

Going into the final leg of the A-Main three drivers were still in contention for the title but Hagberg and defending champion Vicktor Wilck both had a difficult race.  Hagberg’s Xray got loose on the opening lap allowing Rheinhard to pass him on the first drag down the straight, forcing the Swede wide at the first corner.  This resulted in Hagberg getting swallowed up by the pack and coming out of the chicane contact with Jilles Groskamp dropped him to last position.  Hagberg eventually recovered to finish fourth, enough to secure his first ever international podium finish.  Wilck first had an incident with Associated team driver Christer Andersson and then Hagberg before making a driver error that resulted in a broken car and retirement after just six laps.

Having tried to stay with Rheinard in the early part of the race Leino was on the limit making a number of mistakes which allowed Groskamp to take up second in the running order while the No.2 car broke clear up front.  It was now a three car battle for second with Corally driver Marc Fisher in the mix.  Leino had the faster car but couldn’t find a way past his former Dutch team-mate and half way into the race made a rather forceful move at the chicane pushing the Tamiya driver out of his way.  Let away with just a warning for the incident by the race director afterwards Groskamp was clearly annoyed that no penalty was given for the move which cost him a possible podium finish as he crossed the finish line in sixth.  Taking his second Top 3 finish of the day Fisher was very happy with the debut of the new Corally RDX Phi 2 which claimed fourth overall.

So the curtain has closed on the ninth running of this superbly presented indoor event that once again is a credit to Kim Bendiksen and his team.  2010 will mark the 10th Anniversary of the event and already the organisers are working on plans to mark the big occasion.  We look forward to returning to Denmark next January to bring you coverage of what is sure to be another great DHI Cup.

Modified A-main Leg 3 results
1. Marc Rheinard – 21 Laps in 310,54
2. Teemu Leino – 21 Laps in 311,17
3. Marc Fischer – 21 Laps in 313,70
4. Alexander Hagberg – 21 Laps in 308,36
5. Jilles Groskamp – 21 Laps in 313,41
6. Yannic Prumper – 20 Laps in 306,26
7. Steen Graversen – 20 Laps in 312,60
8. Christer Andersson – 20 Laps in 303,08
9. Jonas Kaerup – 20 Laps in 307,00
10. Viktor Wilck – 10 Laps in 154,96

Modified Overall results
1. Marc Rheinard – 20pts
2. Alexander Hagberg – 17pts
3. Teemu Leino – 17pts
4. Marc Fischer – 16pts
5. Jilles Groskamp – 13pts
6. Viktor Wilck – 10pts
7. Christer Andersson – 9pts
8. Yannic Prumper – 9pts
9. Steen Graversen – 6pts
10. Jonas Kaerup – 5pts

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Bergfeldt is Champion

He was the class of the 111 strong Pro Stock field here in Denmark and now Tommy Bergfeldt is the very deserving 2009 DHI Cup Champion.  The Hot Bodies driver dominated qualifying to take the TQ honours from where he continued his reign, the only glitch of the perfect weekend being a problem which was outside of his control.  A motor problem messing up his Leg 2 race.

Four drivers had a chance of the title going in the final leg but once the Red Bull supported driver got into his rhythm the rest were fighting for the second spot on the podium. Bergfeldt didn’t let the earlier drama get to him and repeated his crushing Leg 1 victory to lift his first international title and he was clearly delighted. ‘This is the biggest win for me and I am really delighted.  Last year I finished fourth here and I said to myself I really want to win next year.  Now I have and I cant believe I did it.’  While he will enjoy the glamour of winning the coveted title as he steps up to the podium to collect his huge trophy, its quickly back to reality as he faces a 1,000km drive home to Sweden tonight.  One good thing is that his friends have offered to do the driving so he can hold & admire his DHI Cup.

Second in the final Pro Stock encounter at the Odense Conference Centre was Leg 2 winner Henry Salmen, the result securing the runners up spot for the Finnish Tamiya driver.  Meik Niemann took third but the final step on the podium goes the way of his SMI Motorsport team-mate Bastian Hennig.

Super Stock A-main Leg 3 results
1. Tommy Bergfeldt – 20 Laps in 313,95
2. Henry Salmén – 19 Laps in 303,49
3. Meik Niemann – 19 Laps in 305,50
4. Tony Streit – 19 Laps in 305,97
5. Thomas Mirke – 19 Laps in 306,96
6. Matthias Lang – 19 Laps in 307,49
7. Christoph Thiele – 19 Laps in 307,83
8. Carsten Madsen – 19 Laps in 309,92
9. Marcus Horn – 19 Laps in 311,35
10. Bastian Hennig – 19 Laps in 312,43

Super Stock final results
1. Tommy Bergfeldt – 20pts
2. Henry Salmén – 19pts
3. Bastian Hennig – 17pts
4. Christoph Thiele – 16pts
5. Meik Niemann – 13pts
6. Thomas Mirke – 13pts
7. Matthias Lang – 12pts
8. Tony Streit – 10pts
9. Marcus Horn – 9pts
10. Carsten Madsen – 5pts

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Hagberg converts it in Leg 2

After a rocky opening Leg Alexander Hagberg converted his TQ into victory which will take the 2009 DHI Cup title down to the final Leg.  A far more relaxed Hagberg fended off an early challenge from Leg 1 winner Marc Rheinard but the German made a mistake giving the Swede the break he needed. Teemu Leino completed the Top 3.

Having switched to new scrubbed in tyres for Leg 2, Hagberg was much happier with the handling of his Xray which he said felt again like it did yesterday.  Admitting to nerves getting the better of him first time round he said he kept his head this time and hopes he can repeat this in the all important third final.

Rheinard said his Tamiya was very good in the opening part of the run but starts to get very loose as the race runs.  Managing to just hold off Leino, a change of additive is on the cards for the third Leg which will determine the 9th DHI Cup Champion.  That battle is between just three drivers – Rheinard, Hagberg and defending Champion Viktor Wilck who was forced to retired from Leg 2 with radio interference.

Jilles Groskamp held off Corally’s Marc Fisher for fourth while 17-year-old Christer Andersson completed the Top 6.

Modified A-main Leg 2 results
1. Alexander Hagberg – 21 Laps in 308,36
2. Marc Rheinard – 21 Laps in 310,54
3. Teemu Leino – 21 Laps in 311,17
4. Jilles Groskamp – 21 Laps in 313,41
5. Marc Fischer – 21 Laps in 313,70
6. Christer Andersson – 20 Laps in 303,08
7. Yannic Prumper – 20 Laps in 306,26
8. Jonas Kaerup – 20 Laps in 307,00
9. Steen Graversen – 20 Laps in 312,60
10. Viktor Wilck – 10 Laps in 154,96

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Salmen wins 2nd Pro Stock encounter

There was a dramatic start to the second Leg of the Pro Stock A-Main as the car of Leg 1 winner Tommy Bergfeldt hesitated at the start leaving the Swede last after the opening lap.  Continuing in the race the Red Bull supported driver tried to work his way back up the field but would end the run classified 10th.  With the Top Qualifier out this allowed Finland’s Henry Salmen to take the win meaning the 2009 title will be decided in the final leg.  Bergfeldt’s poor start has been attributed to a motor problem and race organisers have issued the talented Pro Stock racer a new hand out unit for the final leg.

Having found his car tweaked after the opening leg Salmen said his Tamiya was now working perfect and believes he can take the challenge to Bergfeldt.  The only other two drivers in with a chance of overall DHI Cup honours are SMI Motorsport pairing Christoph Thiele and Bastian Hennig, Thiele taking second in Leg 2 ahead of his team-mate.

Super Stock A-main Leg 2 results
1. Henry Salmén – 19 Laps in 300.85
2. Christoph Thiele – 19 Laps in 302,07
3. Bastian Hennig – 19 Laps in 304,15
4. Thomas Mirke – 19 Laps in 304,37
5. Matthias Lang – 19 Laps in 304,62
6. Marcus Horn – 19 Laps in 306,08
7. Meik Niemann – 19 Laps in 307,25
8. Tony Streit – 19 Laps in 309,26
9. Carsten Madsen – 19 Laps in 311,14
10. Tommy Bergfeldt – 20 Laps in 313,61

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Rheinard takes Leg 1

Marc Rheinard has won Leg 1 of the Speed Passion supported DHI Cup.  The reigning World Champion took the lead from Top Qualifier Alexander Hagberg on the opening lap from where he would remain to take victory from his Tamiya team-mate Viktor Wilck.  Team Corally driver Marc Fisher completed the Top 3.

The only serious challenge to Rheinard’s lead came from Team Xray’s Teemu Leino.  The Finn had a very fast car in the early stages of the race but he caught a corner dot just before the 2 minute mark and rolled, allowing Wilck and Hagberg through.  Leino said his car was very good and slightly faster than Rheinard in the early part of the race but he was unlucky as the German caught the same dot but did pay the same penalty.  Leino would end the encounter in fifth.

Making it a Tamiya 1-2 in the Leg, defending Champion Wilck benefited from the slight untidy race but was happy to take second having started from fifth.  After a challenge from Hagberg which sent his TRF416 into the track markers, collecting Leino in the process, the Swede said his car felt tweaked but with the pack continuing to trip each other up he drove safely to bring it home in second. The result keeps him in with a chance of retaining his title.

Fisher, who started from sixth on the grid, was very happy to bring his RDX Phi 2 home in third and now smells an overall podium finish.  The German feels his car will be better in Leg 2 as the controlled Sorex 28 tyres get more mileage on them

Hagberg reported his car as being very loose after he opted to use his first set of tyres in the opening leg.  The Swede will run new tyres, which he scrubbed in during the practice final, in Leg 2 and will be hoping for a tidier race.  Jilles Groskamp completed the Top 6 while seventh and eight when to young guns Christer Andersson and Yannic Prumper.

Modified A-main Leg 1 results
1. Marc Rheinard – 21 Laps in 309,63
2. Viktor Wilck – 21 Laps in 311,16
3. Marc Fischer – 21 Laps in 314,14
4. Alexander Hagberg – 20 Laps in 300,10
5. Teemu Leino – 20 Laps in 300.36
6. Jilles Groskamp – 20 Laps in 300,88
7. Christer Andersson – 20 Laps in 303,00
8. Yannic Prumper – 20 Laps in 303,13
9. Steen Graversen – 20 Laps in 303,34
10. Jonas Kaerup – 20 Laps in 306,41

In the B Final former World Champion Andy Moore took his Hot Bodies to victory over Freddy Sudhoff and Ronald Volker.

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Bergfeldt cruises to Leg 1 victory

He dominated qualifying and its looks like business as usual today for Tommy Bergfeldt with the Swede crushing his opposition in the first Leg of the Pro Stock A-Main.  Starting from pole the Hot Bodies driver was very challenged cruising to a 3 second winning margin over former DHI Cup Champion Bastian Hennig.

While Bergfeldt disappeared up front the big battle of the race was for second. For the opening 2 minutes of the race it was Germany’s Matthias Lang and Finland’s Henry Salmén who rubbed bodyshells but the Xray and Tamiya eventually made contact with Lang coming off the worst.  The contact allowed fourth place starter Hennig to get his Xray up to second.  Salmen tried everything to pass the SMI Motorsport driver but with 25 seconds to go he rolled his TRF416 managing just get going again, ahead of Christoph Theile to take third.  Lang finished fifth.

Super Stock A-main Leg 1 results
1. Tommy Bergfeldt – 20 Laps in 314,65
2. Bastian Hennig – 19 Laps in 301,90
3. Henry Salmén – 19 Laps in 303,84
4. Christoph Thiele – 19 Laps in 304,16
5. Matthias Lang – 19 Laps in 304,22
6. Meik Niemann – 19 Laps in 306,10
7. Marcus Horn – 19 Laps in 306,70
8. Thomas Mirke – 19 Laps in 306,88
9. Carsten Madsen – 19 Laps in 312,84
10. Tony Streit – 19 Laps in 313,41

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