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]