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Naoki Akiyama ends Day 1 of CETC with TQ run

Posted: 25 Mar 2017 11:49 AM PDT

The first day of the opening round of the CETC presented by Infinity has just come to an end with the conclusion of the 2nd round of qualifying and it was Yokomo driver Naoki Akiyama who successfully hit back by taking Q2 with ease, the top heat seeing a lot of mistakes. After the young Japanese driver it was Serpent ace Viktor Wilck who took 2nd place, both drivers benefiting from consistent driving. Missing out on 27 laps by 0.07 seconds Viktor was just behind Akiyama by little over a second. Sitting in the lead for the first minute Akio Sobue could not hold his Infinity car on the driving line and although he made two serious mistakes the Japanese driver could still come back from 7th place to finish 3rd. Thinking himself ‘lucky’ Japanese National Champion got 4th place for the round, humbly stating that many people made a mistake, while Infinity driver Naoto Matsukura and Xpress driver Hay Lai again completed the top 6. Sitting in 2nd place for the first minute and half, Xray driver Gary Huang retired after 2 mistakes.

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Kurzbuch & Greiner TQ at EFRA GP Series Rd1

Posted: 25 Mar 2017 11:45 AM PDT

Carrying on the momentum from the end of the last season when he completed his full sweep of the Euro Nitro Series, it was reigning World Champion Simon Kurzbuch to open the 2017 season with a TQ at the first official international race of the year. After topping both free and controlled practice, the Swiss Shepherd driver claimed the first three rounds of qualifying on the RME Cassino track to secure the overall TQ with two attempts to spare, Dario Balestri taking the last two rounds while producing very convincing performances with his Infinity to settle second overall, ahead of ARC’s Andrea Pirani and his Infinity teammate Collari.

Fitting his Novarossi powered Velox with an Xtreme R18 Flat body, this particular model being a very popular choice amongst the 69 1/8th drivers, Simon said himself pretty happy with the handling and speed of his package, proving fast and consistent since the first tanks of fuel on the warm italian circuit. Set to start from pole tomorrow in the 45 minutes start, his main challenger will for sure be Dario Balestri.

The Italian, who suffered some bad luck in the morning with a stripped gear and a DQ in yesterday’s heat, said himself pleased to have gotten an “easy enough” Superpole that will allow him to start from the second spot in the main. “This car is so easy to push”, said a very happy Dario at the end of the 6 laps he was allowed to set the fastest time and continued “I used to be not so good in these (Superpole) conditions, but with this package I feel faster”.

Third in the overall standings, therefore starting first in the semifinal A, Andrea Pirani had similar feelings about his new car. “The new R8.1 allows me to drive easier, I am so pleased with how it’s performing and it seems like I’ve made the right choice”, said the ARC driver confident about tomorrow’s mains.

Also in the less populated but highly competitive 200mm class it was reigning World Champion Dominic Greiner who dominated the qualifications with his Serpent, taking four of the fir rounds with Xray’s Alessio Mazzeo to win the remaining round ending qualifying in second, ahead of team mates Piersante and Loppini. With Dominic starting from pole for the main, the second spot on the grid went to Alessio, winner of the Superpole ahead of Loppini and Musolino.

Source: Matrix [matrixtires.it]

Akio Sobue takes Q1 at CETC

Posted: 25 Mar 2017 10:46 AM PDT

Infinity team driver Akio Sobue continued to stamp his authority on the opening round of the 2017 CETC presented by Infinity, taking Q1 with ease. With his heat underway this Worlds finalist showed really pace putting in a very consistent run to finish 5 seconds ahead of young Yokomo driver Naoki Akiyama, to back up his pace from controlled practice. Akiyama and team mate Nicholas Lee got 2nd and 3rd for the round respectively with the pair separated by 0.7 seconds, the top 3 drivers all getting 27 laps. Although close to the Yokomo pairing during the middle of the run, two late mistakes dropped Gary Huang back to finish 4th, just missing 27 laps by 3 seconds. Just like Huang, former WC Naoto Matsukura had a number of mistakes which saw him finish the run 2 seconds back on the Chinese National Champion. Behind Matsukura was top Hong Kong driver Hay Lai, driving the all new Xpress chassis, with Xray driver Lao Minhao in the 2nd group completing the top 6.

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Akio Sobue is top seed for CETC Rd1

Posted: 25 Mar 2017 10:17 AM PDT

The opening round of the new for 2017 CETC presented by Infinity officially kicked off today at the Amazing Indoor Arena in Guangzhou, and it is Infinity team driver Akio Sobie who has dominated proceedings in controlled practice to become the top seed for qualifying. The former National Champion is 0.066 faster than fellow Japanese driver Naoki Akiyama who has to settle for second. Xray driver Gary Huang who is running at his home track is running very well just 0.186 behind Akiyama, and behind the two time time Chinese National Champion it is Serpent ace Viktor Wilck and former World Champion Naoto Matsukura who take 4th and 5th respectively

Continue reading this report here of view the full event coverage here.