June 4, 2009

Inaugural Bumod GP is GO!

The early silence caused by rain and a wet Bumod track has been broken with Jilles Goskamp and his Max powered prototype Serpent 7XX taking to the drying track to officially get the inaugural Bumod Grand Prix in Bursa, Turkey underway.  Sliding around for the first few laps, the 2008 World Championship Top Qualifier quickly built up to speed as others joined him on this very fast flowing track.  Running under the watchful eye of the car’s designer Michael Salven, Groskamp looked impressive.  Fresh from victory at last weekend’s Euro Touring Series electric touring car race in Holland the Dutch ace said, ‘The track is still slippy but the initial feeling is the car’s balance is very good’.

Others to join Groskamp early on where 2002 Electric Touring Car World Champion Surikarn C. at the controls of his Xay NT1.  After his run the Thai driver said some of the corners are still slippy but he liked the layout of the track.  As more and more drivers take to the track it shouldn’t be long before we have a fully dry track.

In 1:8 top female racer Sabrina Lechner and factory Mugen driver Robert Pietsch used the slow track to run in new engines.  Lechner has switched to Max Power engines in her Serpent 966 while Pietsch has a fresh Novarossi in for the weekend. After watching his new 1:10 200mm creation go around the track in the hands of Groskamp, Michael Salven made a dash for the rostrum to get his first laps of the Bumod track with his Mega powered 966. Looking fast from the off, the German later commented ‘1:8 is going to be a full throttle festival’.

With more and more drivers taking to the track we should start to see grip levels increase allowing the visiting international drivers to tune in their cars to a track which until now have never driven on before. With flood lights all round the track and no noise restrictions there is a strong possibility that testing will continue well into the night here. We will bring you a final update later with news from some of the other big names making the trip to Turkey including America ace DJ Apolaro, who is also debuting Serpent’s 7XX prototype this weekend, and Shepherd headman Patrick Shafer.

View our full event image gallery here.

June 4, 2009

Rain delays start of Bumod GP

Open practice for this weekend’s Bumod GP in Bursa, Turkey is scheduled to get underway today, however wet weather in a part of the World that isn’t really used to it, has stopped all action so far today. Some drivers got laps in last night under flood lights, but today has seen very little cars venture on to the track, with light rain falling almost as soon as the track gets dry enough to run on. This has given drivers present the time to get their cars ready and bodies cut out. The weather is expected to improve later on today and the racers will likely take to the track this evening.

Our hosts for this event have offered a warm welcome to all drivers and the amazing facilities here could stand as an example for tracks around the world, with a large driver stand, well laid out pits, a permanent covered grandstand and a completely newly resurfaced track, not to mention the great restaurant on the opposite side of the track to the pits.

Present at this race are a number of top international racers, with some still having to arrive later today. Serpent are here with 2 of their new 7XX cars driven by Jilles Groskamp and DJ Apolaro, and having had a close look at the new chassis I can tell you it looks awesome, we will see later on in the weekend if it performs as well. While no one is allowed photograph the new car, we have been allowed a sneak shot of the cars radio tray to give everyone an example of the consideration and thought put into this car. Also expect more pictures next week.

Orcan, the brand of SMI Motorsport in Germany are showing off their new prototype Audi A5 shell, which in its 3rd iteration, offers good steering in both fast and slow corners and also looks great. The shell is to be released in about a months time and is expected to be EFRA homologated for the 2010 season.

View our full event image gallery here.

January 11, 2009

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

View our event image gallery here.

January 11, 2009

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

View our event image gallery here.

January 11, 2009

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

View our event image gallery here.

January 11, 2009

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

View our event image gallery here.