Model Car Races 2007

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Model Car Races 2000

Ranking of model car racers on January 1, 2008
   
   
   
 
  
   
                                                                                        
            20TH IMCA NATS: RESULTS & REPORTS
CHRISTIAN SCHNITZLER WORLD CHAMPION 1/24
Piki & Niemas win 1/32 Worlds, Seif/Ortmann/Chr. Schnitzler win Endurance Worlds

July 26, 2008 - The 20th IMCA Worlds at Herentals missed the grandeur of the precedent edition in Mechelen, but were qualitatively the best ever. The entry field was indeed the strongest in IMCA's history. Major handicap was that race director Jean-Marie Tillén didn't show. He was on holidays and confirmed by phone a meeting the day before the race. We don't know what happened but that evening he didn't show and he couldn't be reached since: not home, not by telephone, not by mail. Something must have happened, but up to now we don't know what.
The only solution was to give the race direction in hands of Raymond van Campenhout. It was a emergency solution placing Raymond in a delicate position since his son Björn was one of the competitors.
Even more than at the previous IMCA Nats in Mechelen, Germany dominated the event winning all but two important races. Holland and Belgium could limit their losses as Nick de Wachter won the Benelux Cup and the Gianotti Trophy, and as "Piki" won the tumultuous 132 Worlds. We note a serious progress by New Zealand and Australia. Once more Chris Radisich reached the main at the 124 Worlds. Normally Tim Tyler should have done the same if Niemas & Co had not insisted that he had to change his rear tyres for the Semis. We don't know what happened but Tim drew a pair of impossible tyres from the tyres bag in the IMCA office. There can be no doubt that someone put those junk tyres in the bag. Here we made a serious error: we had to stop the race and let it be done over with correct tyres. So we apologise having omitting to do so.
A serious deception came from South-Africa being nowhere (except at Concourse where they took third and sixth place). Why the South-Africans don't show with their top-driver Gustav Heymann. Already in 2001 he gave full evidence that he's the racer South-Africa needs: at the 2001 Worlds he finished as third overall in the 124 Worlds.
Among the Germans the Bad Boys collected more points than the troops of Ralph Seif, but at the Endurance Worlds the trio Seif/Ortmann/Schnitzler let the Bad Boys not the smallest chance. The highest trophy - victory at the 124 Model Car Worlds went to one of the Seif boys: indeed Christian Schnitzler won the title, 3 laps ahead over Philipp Kremer. Top-3 at the 124 Worlds was restricted exclusively to kids: Christian Schnitzler, Philipp Kremer and Alexander Ortmann. They were followed by the trio experts formed by Nick de Wachter, Michael Niemas and "Piki" van Rossem. Ralph Seif himself missed the main final, but three of his cars were in the main, finishing as first, third and sixth.
In the top 29 we found only two non-Plafit cars. It was obvious that the MoMo X-SR07 GT (as driven by Kai Kivekäs) is not well adapted to the MTT track, where it finished only tenth at the 124 Worlds and only fourth at the Endurance Worlds. Biggest surprise came from the Metris Mk3 chassis as used by Gabriel Inäbnit. The car finished second at the Toblerone and at the Endurance Worlds and reached the Semis at the 124 Worlds.
Spain caused a stir by the Checa Bros, being excellent racers, however still not adapted at the international conduct rules. Their insults at the marshals ("Gognio!) were one bridge to far.

 

TOBLERONE ENDURANCE RACE
The meeting started with the Toblerone Endurance Race as curtain raiser. Here 15 duos took the start. Michael Niemas/Philipp Kremer were dominating the race but ran in trouble during the last segment, when they had to replace the motor pinion. They were 15 laps in the pits, so that Nick de Wachter/Gabriel Inäbnit could take the lead with less than 15 minutes to go. Once back on the track Niemas/Kremer had no problems to undo their arrears on the Dutch/Swiss team. Eventually they won the race, 12 laps ahead over De Wachter/Inäbnit. Third place went to Børge Haug/Glenn Wennerberg letting Fola Osu/Tim Tyler two laps behind.

CONCOURSE WORLDS - Of the 53 Ferrari F430 Challenge cars having been entered, only nine deserved the label of "concourse" car. Among them four were above the rest of the field. It concerned the cars entered by Fola Osu, Gabriel Inäbnit, Al Paterson and Louise Valkenborgh. Each of them could be the winner. As Louise Valkenburg presented a car with hand painted mirrors (one in the colours of the British flag, another in the colours of the Irish flag) that little extra was enough to declare Louise Valkenborgh as winner, ahead over Gabriel Inäbnit (last year's winner), Al Paterson (the 2006 winner) and Fola Osu (the future winner).

THE 4 FIRST WARM-UP RACES
After 14 hours of practice - an absolute maximum in IMCA's history - it was time for the warm-up races. Of them the 4 first were contested as separate races for experts (Trofeo Pirelli), amateurs (Coppa Shell) and kids (Motorola Trophy). The two remaining warm-up races (the traditional Benelux Cup and European Championship) went scratch (all groups of racers together). Among the experts Chris Radisich won the first round, Nick de Wachter the three following. Among the amateurs Børge Haug won the four rounds ahead over Javier Checa. Among the kids Philipp Kremer won the four warm-up races ahead over the Checa Bros.

BENELUX CUP AND EURONATS
The two last warm-up races went with the three groups of cars all together. Nick de Wachter won the 20th Benelux Cup ahead over Philipp Kremer, Michael Niemas and Ralph Seif. The EuroNats were won by Michael Niemas ahead over Nick de Wachter, Kai Kivekäs and "Piki". As the six warm-up races formed the Franco Gianotti Trophy, victory went to Nick de Wachter, followed by Philipp Kremer, Michael Niemas and Kai Kivekas.

MELLO YELLO WORLDS
The Mello Yello Worlds for Kids and Amateurs was fully dominated by the kids, taking the five first places with Philipp Kremer as winner. Alexander Ortmann had back luck, loosing seven laps early in the race. First amateur, finishing as sixth overall, was Norway's Børge Haug. [JPVR]
 
Up from now Canada's Mark Campbell is the new IMCA president. It's the start of a new epoch in international model car racing. The tradition of money incentives for racers belongs now definitively to the past, but the tradition of splendid trophies and Worlds on MTT tracks (1987-1995, 2007-2008) will be maintained.   JPVR's work is now definitively finished. He retires as organiser of top-IMCA events. Here we see him with a shirt signed by all entrants. In March 2009 JPVR will organise his real last race, the Toblerone with 1973 classic cars. That race will be only open for 32 top racers: 16 from Germany and 16 non-Germans.
 
Raymond van Campenhout had the uneasy task to be race director at the 2008 IMCA Worlds after Jean-Marie Tillen disappeared from our world. Raymond promotes all kinds of slot-racing since 1985 and deserves a trophy for those relentless efforts.   With Caroline Schnitzler international model car racing discovers a unique talent of the same high level as Corina Gianotti in the mid 1980s. This year Caroline won the DPM and the DKPM. At the Mello Yello Worlds she finished second to Philipp Kremer.
Youngest racer at the 20th IMCA Nats was Marcel Kuhn. At the Endurance Worlds he succeeded to hold the car of Caroline Schnitzler behind his own. Terry Dalton from Canada showed with the wrong set-up of his car but proved to be a solid amateur.

20TH IMCA MODEL CAR 124 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - JULY 22 HERENTALS [IOC EVENT LEVEL 1]

CHRISTIAN SCHNITZLER IS THE 2008 WORLD CHAMP

Germany makes it 1-2-3-5 - Piki lonely non-German in top-5 NDW disqualified

racer		 car chassis 1/4 1/2 Main

Among the racers missing the move to the Semis we found we found Günther Riehl, Desmond Dekker, Fred Hood, Francesc Reyes and Børge Haug. Arthur de Kok, no more seen at the IMCA Worlds since 2002, realised the move. Immediately after the Quarters some Germans and Nick de Wachter - having been free from the Quarters - insisted that all cars having made the move should be equipped with fresh tyres. For Tim Tyler - third fastest at those Quarters - tyre change was a disaster. Someone succeeded to put bad wheels in the wheelbag in the IMCA office and Tim was unlucky to draw them.
At the Semis he had not the smallest chance to make the move to the Main. Ralph Seif, Kai Kivekäs and Christof Kremer - all three expected making the move - failed for two or more laps. Among the eight finalists we found four kids (Philipp Kremer, Carlos Checa, Alexander Ortmann and Christian Schnitzler) and four experts (Nick de Wachter, Michael Niemas, "Piki" and Chris Radisich). Half of the entrants are from Germany. Shortly after the start it becomes obvious that Chris Radisich (already his fourth Main!) and Carlos Checa couldn't follow the pace set by the three German kids. Of them Philipp Kremer and Christian Schnitzler were pulling away after brilliant racing on red. Four others were involved in a close combat for the third place: "Piki", Nick de Wachter, Alexander Ortmann and Michael Niemas. Among them positions changed continuously. "Piki" seemed on his way to a certain third place, but lost nearly a complete lap after his run on white.
With two segments to go it seemed as it should end in an all-German top-four as Michael Niemas could hold the fourth ^place, very close to Alexander Ortmann on the third place. But during the last segment Nick de Wachter succeeded to pass Niemas, finishing as fourth overall.
In front Philipp Kremer had been surprisingly beaten by two laps on white by Christian Schnitzler (37 laps versus 39 laps). He didn't succeed to undo those arrears as he lost again a lap on orange and blue. Only on purple he was a lap faster than Schnitzler and lost the race by three full laps from the surprising Christian Schnitzler. Already in 2005 Christian was present at the IMCA Worlds. The same year he won surprisingly the European Championship in North-Germany. Eventually three of the four kids won the three first places. Only two non-German racers - Nick de Wachter and "Piki" - could finish in the top-six. "Piki" made a serious error not to use his car at the four first warm-up races, so that his motor was not seriously broken in. Months after the race NDW was disqualified when as a real moonlighter  as a braggart he confirmed having used an illegal chassis. [JPVR]
1. CHRISTIAN SCHNITZLER (D) #33 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber Seif 186.11 249.15 313.20
2. Philipp Kremer (D) #02 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber - 246.16 310.24
3. Alexander Ortmann (D) #9 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber Seif 180.06 244.21 308.23
4. Michael Niemas (D) #6 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber - 245.02 308.06
5. "Piki" van Rossem (B) #28 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber Seif - 243.11 307.24
6. Carlos Checa (E) #152 Ferrari F430 MSC 24 177.08 243.07 305.04
7. Chris Radisich (NZ) #22 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 181.24 242.11 302.16
8. Ralph Seif (D) #21 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber Seif - 240.21 -
9. Kai Kivekäs (SF) #89 Ferrari F430 MoMo X-SW07 GT - 240.14 -
10. Ladislav Szalai (SVK) #23 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP 176.24 239.09 -
11. Gabriel Inäbnit (CH) #18 Ferrari F430 Metris Mk3 179.03 238.07 -
12. Arthur de Kok (NL) #96 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 176.27 232.07 -
13. Giovanni Montiglio (I) #14 Ferrari F430 Plafit Excel - 229.09 -
14. Christof Kremer (D) #78 Ferrari F430 Plafit SLP Camber - 229.01 -
15. Tim Tyler (AU) #27 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 180.24 222.08 -
16. Børge Haug (N) #166 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 175.22 - -
17. Desmond Dekker (NL) #7 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 175.04 - -
18. Fred Hood (USA) #55 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 174.25 - -
19. Kristof Huys (B) #55 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 174.15 - -
20. Günther Riehl (D) #74 Ferrari F430 PlaFit Excel 174.07 - -
21. Hugo Dekker (NL) #12 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 171.24 - -
22. Jose Javier Checa (E) #102 Ferrari F430 PlaFit 24 Super 171.20 - -
23. Caroline Schnitzler (D) #59 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber Seif 171.19 - -
24. Jozef Miskolci (SVK) #17 Ferrari F430 PlaFit Excel 171.05 - -
25. Dirk Baele (B) #144 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 170.03 - -
26. Roy Bråten (N) #134 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 169.05 - -
27. Gert Klinge (B) #135 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 169.04 - -
28. Morten Iversen (DK) #141 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP 169.03 - -
29. Francesc Reyes (E) #15 Ferrari F430 MoMo X-SW07 GT 168.19 - -
30. Björn van Campenhout (B) #24 Ferrari F430 Schoeler Striker 168.15 - -
31. Al Paterson (RSA) #19 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 168.14 - -
32. Mimo Martinez (I) #11 Ferrari F430 PlaFit 24 Super 166.09 - -
33. Javier Checa (E) #111 Ferrari F430 PlaFit 24 Super 165.03 - -
34. Anthony Bartlett (RSA) #106 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 165.02 - -
35. Marcel Oosterling (NL) #7 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 164.20 - -
36. Louise Valkenborgh (B) #155 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 163.24 - -
37. Chris Bruyninx (B) #18 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 156.03 - -
38. Glenn Wennerberg (N) #117 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber 122.00 - -
39. Jean Pierre van Rossem (B) #2 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber Fola 0.00 - -
DISQ Nick de Wachter (NL) #1 Ferrari F430 PlaFit SLP Camber - DQ DQ
Those are the 8 finalists of the 20th IMCA 124 World Championship. We see from l.t.r. Chris Radisich (NZ), Carlos Checa (E), "Piki van Rossem (B), Nick de Wachter (NL), Alexander Ortmann (D), Michael Niemas (D), Philipp Kremer (D) and Christian Schnitzler (D). There are four kids (in green shirts) and four experts (in white shirts). Of them "Piki" van Rossem, Nick de Wachter and Philipp Kremer won earlier the 124 Worlds. Picture: Dirk Baele..
The 8 finalists of the 20th IMCA 124 Worlds at the prize giving: Chris Radisich (8th), Carlos Checa (7th), "Piki" van Rossem (6th), Michael Niemas (5th), Nick de Wachtter (4th), Alexander Ortmann (3rd), Philipp Kremer (2nd) and winner Christian Schnitzler. Picture: Dirk Baele.

4TH IMCA MODEL CAR 132 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP - JULY 23 HERENTALS [IOC EVENT LEVEL 1]

NIEMAS & "PIKI" VAN ROSSEM FINISH EX-AEQUO

Race was done over after disastrous first trial
The top-8 at the 4th IMCA 132 Worlds. As Michael Niemas and "Piki" van Rossem raced both in a different heath, but finished with the same number of laps and in the same section, they were ranked ex aequo as winners. "Piki" insisted to give the biggest trophy to Niemas. Wec recognise f.l.t.r. Michael Niemas (D), "Piki" van Rossem (B), Chris Radisich (NZ), Kai Kivekäs (SF), Nick de Wachter (NL), Christian Schnitzler (D), Ladislav Szalai (SVK) and Caroline Schnitzler (D). Chris Radisich considered that not he but Fred Hood deserved the trophy for the third place. Hood finished fifth OA at the perturbed first race which was done over the following morning. Picture: Dirk Baele.
The top-4 at the 4th IMCA 132 Worlds. Michael Niemas and "Piki" van Rossem as the ex aequo winners, Chris Radisich and Kai Kivekäs. Since we had not two rainbow shirts left, we decided to give none of the winners the lonely remaining shirt. Picture: Dirk Baele
4th WORLDS 132 (8 x 3')

TRIAL 8 x 4'

The 4th 132 IMCA World Championship was a tumultuous race. Scheduled on Tuesday evening, immediately after the 124 Worlds a very tired race direction made a colossal error to let start the handout cars without any warm-up. Moreover they let start the fastest racers in the first heat instead of in the last heat. The 8 racers of the first heat had all problems to keep their handout car in the slot. Only "Piki" could avoid deslotting. After four segments he had already achieved 112.5 laps, on his way to 225 laps. But during the two last segments his car functioned no longer. An advance of more than seven laps was undone as his car was deslotting at all curbs. Here the race direction should have decided to give him another, a sane car, but it was omitted. Already after the first segments it was decided to do the race over the following day. That was not appreciated by Montiglio, Fred Hood and Carlos Checa, having token advantage of the deficient road holding of the small cars during the first heat. The final result of the race was completely irregular, with all the top-racers from the first heat on the lower places. So it was decided to do the race over the following morning.
After two heats Niemas was the fastest with 165.03 laps versus 162.10 for Nick de Wachter. In the last heat there was a serious struggle between "Piki" and Chris Radisich. Here "Piki" had lost two laps from Chris on red and was patiently undoing his arrears on blue and purple, where he was twice two laps faster than Chris. Eventually he finished with 165.03 laps, exactly the same as Niemas in the former heat. As the lap counter publishes also average speeds on crossing the finish line it appeared that Piki's average was one thousand higher than Michael's. That implies that Michael's car was running over a longer distance than Piki's once the power was off. We wished not to increase the already tumultuous race and decided to place Michael Niemas and "Piki" ex aequo. Next year we have to learn from our mistakes: (1) Non-selected racers will do the warm-up for the 132 Worlds; (2) We'll race 8 cars being attached to a specific lap; (3) When a car doesn't work any longer it will immediately replaced. [JPVR]

1. Piki van Rossem (B) 165.03 30 pts 1. Giovanni Montiglio (I) 214 20 pts
1. Michael Niemas (D) 165.03 30 pts 2. Ladislav Szalai (SVK) 208 15 pts
3. Chris Radisich (NZ) 163.24 18 pts 3. Kai Kivekäs (SF) 208 12 pts
4. Christian Schnitzler(D) 162.22 13.5 pts 4. Jose Javier Checa (E) 208 9 pts
5. Kai Kivekäs (SF) 162.12 9 pts 5. Fred Hood (USA) 208 6 pts
6. Nick de Wachter (NL) 162.10 4.5 pts 6. Tim Tyler (AU) 207 3 pts
7. Ladislav Szalai (SK) 158.23 3 pts 7. Gabriel Inäbnit (CH) 202 2 pts
8. Caroline Schnitzler(D) 158.17 1.5 pts 8. Kristof Huys (B) 202 1 pt
9. Alexa Ortmann (D) 157.04 - 9. Michael Niemas (D) 201 -
10. Tim Tyler (AU) 157.03 - 10. Nick de Wachter (NL) 200 -
11. Francesc Reyes (E) 156.24 - 11. Chris Radisich (NZ) 200 -
12. Kristof Huys (B) 156.11 - 12. "Piki" van Rossem (B) 199 -
13. Jose Javier Cherca (E) 156.08 - 13. Alexander Ortmann(D) 199 -
14. Günther Riehl (D) 155.10 - 14. Carlos Checa (E) 198 -
15. Ralph Seif (D) 153.13 - 15. Chris Radisich (NZ) 197 -
16. Børge Haug (N) 153.11 - 16. Carlos Checa (E) 196 -
17. Jozef Miskolci (SVK) 152.21 - 17. Borge Haug (N) 196 -
18. Christof Kremer (D) 151.01 - 18. Arthur de Kok (NL) 196 -
19. Carlos Checa (E) 149.16 - 19. Ralph Seif (D) 195 -
20. Fred Hood (USA) 146.16 - 20. Philipp Kremer 185 -
21. Thomas Nötzel (D) 145.12 - 21. Roy Bråten (N) 181 -
22. Philipp Kremer ( D) 145.05 - 22. Caroline Schnitzler (D) 178 -
23. Glenn Wennerberg (N) 130.00 - 23. Dirk Baele (B) 166 -
24. Marcel Kuhn (D) 100.23 - 24. Christof Kremer (D) 154 -

11TH MELLO YELLO WORLDS FOR KIDS & AMATEURS - JULY 23 HERENTALS [IOC EVENT LEVEL 2]

PHILIPP KREMER WINS MELLO YELLO WORLDS

Mello Yello Worlds for Amateurs won by Børge Haug
11th MELLO YELLO WORLDS

Format of the Mello Yello has been changed: the 16 selected racers are no longer the 16 best amateurs plus kids after the warm-up races, but the 8 best kids and the 8 best amateurs. Since most kids are faster than most amateurs the new formula is a disadvantage for the kids. Very probably the formula will not be maintained in 2009. A return to the old formula is more probable.
The 8 amateurs had to race first. Here Mark Campbell missed his qualification since he was passed by no less than three racers after the last warm-up race. Problems before the start when it appears that Carlos Checa committed the forbidden tyre dressing on his rear tyres. It was decided that he could race with fresh tyres, but that he was to be disqualified immediately after his run. The race was fully dominated by Børge Haug (N) who had only problems with Gert Klinge during the first segment. Towards the end of the race Dirk Baele made a terrible come-back, but came 9 segments short to beat Klinge for the second place. Glenn Wennerberg lost seven laps in the pits and could have been second without those technical problems.
Next up were the kids. Here Christian Schnitzler missed the move. Philipp Kremer took immediately the lead and could maintain it until the chequered flag. Surprisingly Desmond Dekker - last year still second - failed to follow the Checa Bros. And even surprisingly the Checa Bros were now headed by Caroline Schnitzler realising the second place and holding it until the end. Of the Checa Bros Jose Javier was one lap faster than Carlos, taking the third place. Top favourite for this race was Alexander Ortmann. Unfortunately the body of his car came off in the early stages of the race. When he rejoined the track his arrears were more than ten laps. He never succeeded to join the rest of the field and finished as ninth overall (eighth kid). The kids realised the five first places of the race and eight of the nine first places. Concourse winner Louise Valkenborgh finished at one segment from the sixth place among the amateurs. [JPVR]
1. Philipp Kremer (D) 185.03 20 pts
2. Caroline Schnitzler 183.26 15 pts
3. Jose Javier Checa (E) 182.04 12 pts
4. Carlos Checa (E)) 181.02 9 pts
5. Desmond Dekker (NL) 179.27 6 pts
6. Borge Haug (N) 176.10 20 pts
7. Kristof Huys (B) 175.03 3 pts
8. Ladislav Szalai (SVK) 174.26 2 pts
9. Alexander Ortmann (D) 172.10 1 pt
10. Gert Klinge (B) 171.13 15 pts
11. Dirk Baele (B) 171.04 12 pts
12. Morten Iversen (DK) 169.17 9 pts
13. Roy Bråten (N) 168.25 6 pts
14. Louise Valkenborgh (B) 168.?? 3 pts
15. Glenn Wennerberg (N) ??? 2 pts
16. Javier Checa (E) DISQ 0 pts
Philipp Kremer won the Mello Yello Worlds for kids, just as he did last year in Mechelen. Caroline Schnitzler finished as runner-up, Jose Javier Checa as third. Normally Alexander Ortmann was a candidate winner, but during the early stages of the race the body of his car came off. He lost several laps in the pits and never succeded to undo his arrears. Among the amateurs Børge Haug from Norway had no real opponents. He finished as sixth overall and first amateur Gert Klinge and Dirk Baele finished as his runner-ups. Carlos Checa (finishing as second amateur) was disqualified after not allowed tyre dressing. Picture: Dirk Baele.

2008 FRANCO GIANOTTI TROPHY - JULY 20-22 HERENTALS [IOC EVENT LEVEL 2]

PHILIPP KREMER WINS BENELUX CUP & THE TROPHY

Michael Niemas European Champion  - De Wachter disqualified
TROFEO PIRELLI #1 chassis TROFEO PIRELLI #2 TROFEO PIRELLI #3 TROFEO PIRELLI #4 PIRELLI  RANKING
1. Chris Radisich (NZ) PlaFit SLP Camber 1. Chris Radisich (NZ) 1. Michael Niemas (D) 1. Kai Kivekäs (SF) 1. Chris Radisich (NZ) 105
2. Ralph Seif (D) PlaFit SLP Camber Seif 2. Michael Niemas (D) 2. Chris Radisich (NZ) 2. Ralph Seif (D) 2. Ralph Seif (D) 90
3. Francesc Reyes (E)   3. Ralph Seif (D) 3. Ralph Seif (D) 3. Chris Radisich (NZ) 3. Kai Kivekäs (SF) 80
4. Tim Tyler (AU) MoMo X-SW07 GT 4. Kai Kivekäs (SF) 4. Kai Kivekäs (SF) 4. Tim Tyler (AU) 4. Tim Tyler (AU) 66
5. "Piki" van Rossem (B) PlaFit SLP Camber 5. Tim Tyler (AU) 5. Christof Kremer (D) 5. Kristof Kremer (D) 5. Michael Niemas (D) 65
6. Kai Kivekäs (SF) PlaFit SLP Camber Fola 6. Christof Kremer (D) 6. Tim Tyler (AU) 6. Arthur de Kok (NL) 6. Christof Kremer (D) 56
7. Fred Hood (USA) MoMo X-SW07 GT 7. Gabriel Inäbnit (CH) 7. "Piki" van Rossem (B) 7. Fred Hood (USA) 7. "Piki" van Rossem (B) 46
8. Christof Kremer (D) PlaFit SLP Camber 8. Afolabi Osu (NIG) 8. Fred Hood (USA) 8. "Piki" van Rossem (B) 8. Fred Hood (USA) 39
9. Gabriel Inäbnit (NL) PlaFit SLP Camber 9. "Piki" van Rossem (B) 9. Francesc Reyes (E) 9. Günther Riehl (D) 9. Francesc Reyes (E) 34
10. Afolabi Osu (NIG) Metris MkIII 10. Francesc Reyes (E) 10. Arthur de Kok (NL) 10. Hugo Dekker (NL) 10. Arthur de Kok (NL) 28
11. Michael Niemas (D) PlaFit SLP Camber Fola 11. Fred Hood (USA) 11. Gabriel Inäbnit (CH) 11. Michael Niemas (D) 11. Gabriel Inäbnit (CH) 28
12. Arthur de Kok (NL) PlaFit SLP Camber 12. Arthur de Kok (NL) 12. Hugo Dekker (NL) 12. Marcel Oosterling (NL) 12. Fola Osu (NIG) 16
13. Marcel Oosterling (NL) PlaFit SLP Camber 13. Günther Riehl (D) 13. Marcel Oosterling (NL) 13. Gabriel Inäbnit (CH) 13. Hugo Dekker (NL) 14
14. Hugo Dekker (NL) PlaFit SLP Camber 14. Hugo Dekker (NL) 14. Günther Riehl (D) 14. Mimo Martinez (I) 14. Günther Riehl (D) 13
15. Al Paterson (RSA) PlaFit SLP Camber 15. Marcel Oosterling (NL) 15. Mimo Martinez (I) 15. Jozef Miskolci (SVK) 15. Marcel Oosterling(NL) 11
16. Günther Riehl (D) PlaFit SLP Camber 16. Al Paterson (RSA) 16. Craig Strydom (RSA) 16. Craig Strydom (RSA) 16. Mimo Martinez (I) 3
17. Mimo Martinez (I) PlaFit Excel 17. Giovanni Montiglio (I) 17. J-P van Rossem (B) 17. Al Paterson (RSA) 17. Al Paterson (RSA) 1
18. Craig Strydom (RSA) PlaFit Excel 18. Mimo Martinez (I) 18. Jozef Miskolci (SVK) 18. Pietro Razzano (I) 18. Craig Strydom (RSA) 0
19. J-P van Rossem (B) PlaFit SLP 19. J-P van Rossem (B) 19. Giovanni Montiglio (I) 19. J-P van Rossem (B) 19. J-P van Rossem (B) 0
20. Giovanni Montiglio (I) PlaFit SLP Camber Fola 20. Jozef Miskolci (SVK) 20. Pietro Razzano (I) 20. Giovanni Montiglio (I) 20. Giovanni Montiglio (I) 0
21. Pietro Razzano (I) PlaFit Excel 21. Craig Strydom (RSA) 21. Al Paterson (RSA) 21. Francesc Reyes (E) 21. Jozef Miskolci (SVK) 0
22. Jozef Miskolci (SVK) PlaFit Excel 22. Pietro Razzano (I) DISQ. Nick de Wachter (NL) DISQ Nick de Wachter (NL) 22. Pietro Razzano (I) 0
DISQ Nick de Wachter (NL) PlaFit SLP Camber DISQ Nick de Wachter (NL)     DISQ Nick de Wachter (NL) 0
COPPA SHELL #1 chassis COPPA SHELL #2 COPPA SHELL #3 COPPA SHELL #4 COPPA SHELL  RANKING
1. Børge Haug (N) PlaFit SLP Camber 1. Børge Haug (N) 1. Børge Haug (N)  1. Børge Haug (N) 1. Børge Haug (N) 120
2. Javier Checa (E) Plafit 24 Super 2. Javier Checa (E) 2. Javier Checa (E) 2. Javier Checa (E) 2. Javier Checa (E) 100
3. Dirk Baele (B) PlaFit SLP 3. Glenn Wennerberg (N) 3. Glenn Wennerberg (N) 3. Gert Klinge (B) 3. Glenn Wennerberg (N) 74
4. Glenn Wennerbergb (N) PlaFit SLP Camber 4. Dirk Baele (B) 4. Dirk Baele (B) 4. Roy Bråten (N) 4. Dirk Baele (B) 60
5. Gert Klinge (B) PlaFit SLP Camber 5. Gert Klinge (B) 5. Roy Bråten (N) 5. Glenn Wennerberg (N) 5. Gert Klinge (B) 53
6. Antonio Ortega (E) PlaFit SLP 6. Louise Valkenborgh (B) 6. Chris Bruyninx (B) 6. Dirk Baele (B) 8. Roy Bråten (N) 46
7. Morten Iversen (DK) PlaFit SLP 7. Morten Iversen (DK) 7. Louise Valkenborgh (B) 7. Chris Bruyninx (B) 7. Louise Valkenborgh (B) 44
8. Mark Campbell (CDN) PlaFit SLP Camber 8. Anthony Bartlett (RSA) 8. Mark Campbell (CDN) 8. Louise Valkenborgh (B) 8. Morten Iversen (N) 40
9. Louise Valkenborgh (B) PlaFit SLP Camber 9. Roy Bråten (N) 9. Morten Iversen (DK) 9. Morten Iversen (DK) 9. Chris Bruyninx (B) 31
10. Terry Dalton (CDN) PlaFit SLP 10. Terry Dalton (CDN) 10. Anthony Bartlett (RSA) 10. Mark Campbell (CDN) 10. Mark Campbell (CDN) 28
11. Gorm Nørgaard (DK) PlaFit SLP Camber 11. Chris Bruyninx (B) 11. Antonio Ortega (E) 11. Anthony Bartlett (RSA) 11. Antonio Ortega (E) 25
12. Roy Bråten (N) PlaFit SLP Camber 12. Antonio Ortega (E) 12. Terry Dalton (CDN) 12. Antonio Ortega (E) 12. Anthony Bartlett (RSA) 24
13. Anthony Bartlett (RSA) PlaFit SLP 13. Rolf K. Andersen (N) 13. Rolf K. Andersen (N) 13. Gorm Nørgaard (DK) 13. Terry Dalton (CDN) 17
14. Rolf K. Andersen (N) PlaFit SLP Camber 14. Mark Campbell (CDN) 14. Gorm Nørgaard (DK) 14. Rolf K. Andersen (N) 14. Gorm Nørgaard (DK) 10
15. Gerry de Roeck (B) PlaFit SLP 15. Gerry de Roeck (B) 15. Gert Klinge (B) 15. Terry Dalton (CDN) 15. Rolf K. Andersen (N) 10
16. Chris Bruyninx (B) PlaFit SLP Camber 16. Gorm Nørgaard (DK) 16. Gerry de Roeck (B) 16 Gerry de Roeck (B) 16. Gerry de Roeck (B) 2
MOTOROLA TROPHY #1 chassis MOTOROLA TROPHY #2 MOTOROLA TR#3 MOTOROLA TR #4 MOTOROLA  RANKING
1. Philipp Kremer (D) PlaFit SLP Camber 1. Philipp Kremer (D) 1. Philipp Kremer (D) 1. Philipp Kremer (D) 1. Philipp Kremer (D) 120
2. Kristof Huys (B) PlaFit SLP Camber 2. Carlos Checa (E) 2. Jose Javier Checa (E) 2. Carlos Checa (E) 2. Carlos Checa (E) 88
3. Alexander Ortmann (D) PlaFit SLP Camber Seif 3. Jose Javier Checa (E) 3. Carlos Checa (E) 3. Jose Javier Checa (E) 3. Jose Javier Checa (E) 81
4. Carlos Checa (E) Plafit 24 Super 4. Kristof Huys (B) 4. Kristof Huys (B) 4. Caroline Schnitzler (D) 4. Kristof Huys (B) 69
5. Jose Javier Checa (E) PlaFit 24 Super 5. Desmond Dekker (NL) 5. Desmond Dekker (NL) 5. Desmond Dekker (NL) 5. Desmond Dekker (NL) 54
6. Ladislav Szalai (SVK) PlaFit SLP 6. Caroline Schnitzler (D) 6. Christian Schnitzler (D) 6. Kristof Huys (B) 6. Caroline Schnitzler (D) 47
7. Björn van Campenhout(B) Schöler Striker 7. Björn van Campenhout(B) 7. Albert Ortega (E) 7. Christian Schnitzler (D) 7. Björn van Campenhout 42
8. Caroline Schnitzler (D) PlaFit SLP Camber Seif 8. Albert Ortega (E) 8. Björn van Campenhout 8. Alexander Ortmann (D) 8. Christian Schnitzler(D) 40
9. Christian Schnitzler (D) PlaFit SLP Camber Seif 9. Marcel Kuhn (D) 9. Ladislav Szalai 9. Björn van Campenhout 9. Alexander Ortmann (D) 32
10. Desmond Dekker (Nl) PlaFit SLP Camber 10. Christian Schnitzler (D) 10. Marcel Kuhn (D) 10. Ladislav Szalai (SVK) 10. Ladislav Szalai (SVK) 31
11. Marcel Kuhn (D) PlaFit SLP Camber Fola 11. Laco Koterba jr (SVK) 11. Caroline Schnitzler (D) 11. Albert Ortega (E) 11. Albert Ortega (E) 28
12. Laco Koterba jr (SVK) PlaFit SLP 12. Matt Bartlett (RSA) 12. Matt Bartlett (RSA) 12. Marcel Kühn (D) 12. Marcel Kuhn (D) 23
13. Björn Riehl (D) PlaFit Excel 13. Ladislav Szalai (SVK) 13. Björn Riehl (D) 13. Matt Bartlett (D) 13. Laco Koterba jr (SVK) 11
14. Matt Bartlett (RSA) PlaFit SLP Camber 14. Björn Riehl (D) 14. Alexander Ortmann (D) 14. Laco Koterba jr (SVK) 14. Matt Bartlett (RSA) 13
15. Albert Ortga (E) PlaFit SLP 15. Alexander Ortmann (D) 15. Laco Koterba jr (SVK) 15. Björn Riehl (D) 15. Björn Riehl (D) 7

BENELUX TROPHY [IOC LEVEL 2]

IMCA EURONATS [IOC LEVEL 2]

FRANCO GIANOTTI TROPHY

racer

laps

 Gianotti IOC pts

racer

laps

 Gianotti IOC pts racer laps IOC pts
1. Philipp Kremer (D) 184 120 + 30 20 1. Michael Niemas (D) 185.07 120+ 30 20 1. Philipp Kremer (D) 356 pts 20
2. Michael Niemas (D) 183 100 + 30 15 2. Kai Kivekäs (SF) 181.21 100 + 25 15 2. Michael Niemas (D) 345 pts 15
3. Ralph Seif (D) 182 80 + 25 12 3. "Piki" van Rossem (B) 181.15 80 + 20 12 3. Kai Kivekäs (SF) 287 pts 12
4. Chris Radisich (NZ) 181 72 + 20 9 4. Tim Tyler (AU) 181.13 72 + 18 9 4. Chris Radisich (NZ) 251 pts 9
5. Kai Kivekäs (SF) 181 64 + 18 6 5. Christof Kremer (D) 181.03 64 +16 6 5. "Piki" van Rossem (B) 218 pts 6
6. "Piki" van Rossem (B) 180 56 + 16 3 6. Philipp Kremer (D) 180.15 56 + 30 3 6. Tim Tyler (AU) 218 pts 3
7. Tim Tyler (AU) 179 48 + 14 2 7. Alexander Ortmann (D) 179.19 48 + 25 2 7. Borge Haug (N) 212 pts 2
8. Christof Kremer (D) 178 40 + 12 1 8. Chris Radisich (NZ) 177.09 40 + 14 1 8. Ralph Seif (D) 195 pts 1
9. Jose Javier Checa (E) 177 32 + 25 - 9. Caroline Schnitzler (D) 177.17 32 + 20 - 9. Christof Kremer (D) 188 pts -
10. Carlos Checa (E) 177 24 + 20 - 10. Christian Schnitzler(D) 175.21 24 + 18 - 10. Carlos Checa (E) 168pts -
11. Alexander Ortmann (D) 175 20 + 18 - 11. Carlos Checa (E) 174.14 20 + 16 - 11. Jose Javier Checa (E) 142 pts -
12. Borge Haug (N) 175 16 + 30 - 12. Børge Haug (N) 174.09 16 + 30 - 12. Javier Checa (E) 140 pts -
13. Caroline Schnitzler (D) 174 12 + 16 - 13. Glenn Wennerberg (N) 173.12 12 + 25 - 13. Glenn Wennerberg (N) 136 pts -
14. Arthur de Kok (NL) 173 8 + 10 - 14. Gabriel Inäbnit (CH) 173.07 8 + 12 - 14. Alexander Ortmann (D) 133 pts -
15. Gabriel Inäbnit (CH) 173 4 + 8 - 15. Fred Hood (USA) 173.05 4 + 10 - 15. Caroline Schnitzler (D) 107 pts -
16. Fred Hood (USA) 173 0 + 6 - 16. Ladislav Szalai (SVK) 172.14 0 + 16 - 16. Dirk Baele (B) 88 pts -
17. Desmond Dekker (NL) 172 0 + 14 - 17. Javier Checa (E) 172.16 0 + 20 - 17. Christian Schnitzler (D) 83 pts -
18. Glenn Wennerberg (N) 172 0 + 25 - 18. Jose Javier Checa (E) 172.02 0 + 14 - 18. Kristof Huys (B) 83 pts -
19. Javier Checa (E) 170 0 + 20 - 19. Arthur de Kok (NL) 171.22 0 + 8 - 19. Desmond Dekker (NL) 80 pts -
20. Ladislav Szalai (SVK) 169 0 + 12 - 20. Björn v Campenhout 171.18 0 + 12 - 20. Gert Klinge (B) 76 pts -
21. Günther Riehl (D) 169 0 + 5 - 21. Francesc Reyes (E) 171.17 0 + 6 - 21. Louise Valkenborgh (B) 76 pts -
22. Dirk Baele (B) 168 0 + 18 - 22. Günther Riehl (D) 171.12 0 + 5 - 22. Morten Iversen (DK) 70 pts -
23. Louise Valkenborgh (B) 168 0 + 16 - 23. Hugo Dekker (NL) 168.05 0 + 4 - 23. Ladislav Szalai (SVK) 69 pts -
24. Björn van Campenhout (B) 167 0 + 10 - 24. Marcel Oosterling (NL) 167.15 0 + 3 - 24. Morten Iversen (DK) 68 pts -
25. Gert Klinge (B) 167 0 + 14 - 25. Morten Yversen (DK) 167.11 0 + 18 - 25. Roy Bråten (N) 53 pts -
26. Hugo Dekker (NL) 166 0 + 4 - 26. Louise Valkenborgh (B) 166.12 0 + 16 - 26. Chris Bruyninx (B) 47 pts -
27. Morten Iversen (DK) 164 0 + 12 - 27. Giovanni Montiglio (I) 165.14 0 + 2 - 27. Fred Hood (USA) 45 pts -
28. Kristof Huys (B) 163 0 + 8 - 28. Al Paterson (RSA) 165.12 0 + 1 - 28. Albert Ortega (E) 42 pts -
29. Albert Ortega (E) 162 0 + 8 - 29. Gorm Nørgaard (DK) 164.19 0 + 14 - 29. Arthur de Kok (NL) 41 pts -
30. Chris Bruyninx (B) 162 0 + 10 - 30. Dik Baele (B) 164.08 0 + 12 - 30. Anthony Bartlett (RSA) 36 pts -
31. Jean Pierre van Rossem (B) 162 0 + 3 - 31. Gert Klinge (B) 164.07 0 + 10 - 31. Antonio Ortega (E) 34 pts -
32. Christian Schnitzler (D) 161 0 + 6 - 32. Chris Bruyninx (B) 164.04 0 + 8 - 32. Mark Campbell (CDN) 34 pts -
33. Anthony Bartlett (RSA) 161 0 + 8 - 33. Mimo Martinez (I) 164.01 0 + 0 - 33. Gabriel Inäbnit (CH) 33 pts -
34. Marcel Kuhn (D) 159 0 + 5 - 34. Roy Bråten (N) 163.02 0 + 6 - 34. Francesc Reyes (E) 33 pts -
35. Gorm Nørgaard (DK) 159 0 + 6 - 35. Albert Ortega (E) 161.22 0 + 8 - 35. Marcel Kuhn (D) 31 pts -
36. Terry Dalton (CDN) 158 0 + 5 - 36. Antonio Ortega (E) 160.20 0 + 5 - 36. Gorm Nørgaard (DK) 30 pts -
37. Mark Campbell (CDN) 157 0 + 4 - 37. Jozef Miskolci (SVK) 160.16 0 + 0 - 37. Terry Dalton (CDN) 25 pts -
38. Jozef Miskolci (SVK) 156 0 + 2 - 38. Anthony Bartlett (RSA) 159.15 0 + 4 - 38. Matt Bartlett (RSA) 18 pts -
39. Mimo Martinez (I) 156 0 + 0 - 39. Dalton Terry (CDN) 159.05 0 + 3 - 39. Günther Riehl (D) 17 pts -
40. Antonio Ortega (E) 155 0 + 3 - 40. Mark Campbell (CDN) 158.02 0 + 2 - 40. Laco Koterba jr (SVK) 17 pts -
41. Roy Bråten (N) 155 0 + 2 - 41. Rolf K. Andersen (N) 157.22 0 + 1 - 41. Björn Riehl (D) 16 pts -
42. Björn Riehl (D) 154 0 + 4 - 42. Gery de Roeck (B) 157.07 0 + 0 - 42. Hugo Dekker (NL) 15 pts -
43. Gerry de Roeck (B) 152 0 + 0 - 43. Björn Riehl (D) 157.01 0 + 6 - 43. Afolabi Osu (NIG) 13 pts -
44. Al Paterson (RSA) 151 0 + 1 - 44. Matt Bartlett (RSA) 154.06 0 + 5 - 44. Rolf K. Andersen (N) 12 pts -
45. Giovanni Montiglio (I) 150 0 + 0 - 45. Craig Strydom (RSA) 154.04 0 + 0 - 45. Marcel Oosterling (NL) 8 pts -
46. Pietro Razzano (I) 146 0 + 0 - 46. Marcel Kühn (D) 153.13 0 + 4 - 46. Jean Pierre van Rossem 3 pts -
47. Francesc Reyes (E) 144 0 + 0 - 47. Laco Koterba jr (SVK) 150.14 0 + 3 - 47. Gerry de Roeck (B) 2 pts -
48. Craig Strydom (RSA) 142 0 + 0 - 48. Pietro Razzano (I) 149.08 0 + 0 - 48. Giovanni Montiglio (I) 2 pts -
49. Laco Koterba jr (SVK) 54 0 + 0 - 49. Desmond Dekker (NL) 144.00 0 + 2 - 49. Mimo Martinez (I) 2 pts -
50. Rolf K. Andersen (N) 45 0 + 1 - 50. Kristof Huys (B) 114.00 0 + 1 - 50. Jozef Miskolci (SVK) 2 pts -
51. Marcel Oosterling (NL) DNS 0 - 51. Jean Pierre van Rossem (B) 62.00 0 + 0 - 51. Al Paterson (RSA) 2 pts -
52. Matt Bartlett (RSA) DNS 0 - 52. Ralph Seif (D)

36.00

 0 + 0 - 52. Craig Strydom (RSA)

0 pts

 -
53. Afolabi Osu (NIG)

DNS

 0 - 53. Afolabi Osu (NIG)

DNS

0

-

 53. Pietro Razzano (I)

0 pts

-
DISQ. Nick de Wachter (NL)

0

 0 - DISQ Nick de Wachter (NL)

0

0

-

 DISQ Nick de Wachter (NL)

0 pts

-
Most important round of the six warm-up races counting for the 2008 Franco Gianotti Trophy was the European Championship. That race was won by Michael Niemas - here in the shirt of European champion - ahead over Nick de Wachter (later disqualified) and Kai Kivekäs.  Picture: Dirk Baele.
The other important round of the 2008 Franco Gianotti Trophy was the 20th Benelux Cup, won this year by Philipp Kremer ahead over Michael Niemas. Nick de Wachter, having entered a total illegal car, as he announced later, was disqualified. Last year Philipp Kremer and Youri van Rossem won that race. This year Youri van Rossem didn't show. Picture: Dirk Baele.
After the disqualification of Nick de Wachter, having entered an illegal car, Philipp Kremer won the Pinky Point Trophy Initially it was believed that Borge Haug - having won the six rounds among the amateurs - was second but calculations proved that not he, but Michael Niemas was second. If one looks at the number of trophies won by Niemas this year, it's certainly no drama that he missed one trophy. Kivekäs was third, Haug only seventh. Picture: Dirk Baele.
Philipp Kremer and Michael Niemas of the German Bad Boys won the majority of all trophies. They can open a trophy shop tomorrow. Picture: Dirk Baele.

2ND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ENDURANCE RACING, JULY 23-24 HERENTALS [IOC-EVENT LEVEL 1]

SEIF/ORTMANN/CHR. SCHNITZLER WORLD CHAMPS

KRISTOF HUYS/BJÖRN VAN CAMPENHOUT/JPVR WIN IN GT2 CLASS
1. Ralph Seif (D)/Alexander Ortmann (D)/Christian Schnitzler (D) GT1 #3 Selleslaghs Corvette C6-R PlaFit SLP Camber Seif 3508 laps 30 pts
2. Nick de Wachter (NL)/Gabriel Inäbnit (CH)/Marcel Oosterling (NL) GT1 #5 Phoenix Carsport Corvette C6-R Metris Mk3 (?) 3480 laps 22.5 pts
3. Michael Niemas (D)/Philipp Kremer(D)/Christof Kremer (D) GT1 #12 Luc Alphand Corvette C6-R Plafit SLP Camber 3479 laps 18 pts
4. "Piki" van Rossem (B)/Kai Kivekäs (SF) GT1 #6 Phoenix Carsport Corvette C6-R MoMo X-SW07 GT 3434 laps 13.5 pts
5. Fred Hood (USA)/Chris Radisich (NZ)/Tim Tyler (AU) GT1 #2 Vitaphone Maserati MC12 PlaFit SLP Camber Nick 3389 laps 9 pts
6. Børge Haug (N)/Glenn Wennerberg (N)/Roy Bråten (N) GT1 #1 Vitaphone Maserati MC12 PlaFit SLP Camber 3357 laps 4.5 pts
7. Jozef Miskolci (SVK)/Ladislav Szalai (SVK)/Laco Koterba jr (SVK) GT1 €4 PK Car Sport Saleen S7R Plafit Excel 3309 laps 3 pts
8. Jean Pierre van Rossem (B)/Kristof Huys (B)/Björn van Campenhout (B) GT2 #62 Scuderia Ecosse Ferrari 430 GT2 Plafit  SLP Camber 3290 laps 30 pts
9. Carlos Checa (E)/Antonio Ortega (E)/Albert Ortega (E) GT2 #51 AF Corsa Ferrari F430 GT2 MSC 24 3289 laps 22.5 pts
10. Caroline Schnitzler (D)/Thomas Nötzel (D)/Mark Campbell (CDN) GT2 #60 Prospeed Porsche 997 GT3-RSR PlaFit SLP Camber 3229 laps 18 pts
11. Francesc Reyes (E)/Günther Riehl (D)/Marcel Kuhn (D) GT2 #74 Ulrich Frankfurt Ferrari F430 Challenge PlaFit Excel 3107 laps 13.5 pts
12. Gorm Nørgaard (DK)/Morten Iversen (DK)/Geert Mertens (B) GT2 #77 BMS Italia Ferrari F430 GT2 Plafit SLP Camber 3053 laps 9 pts
13. Terry Dalton( CDN)/ Jose Javier Checa (E)/Javier Checa (E) GT2 #61 Prospeed Porsche 997 GT3-RSR PlaFit SLP Camber 3028 laps 4.5 pts
14. Al Paterson (RSA)/Craig Strydom (RSA)/Anthony Bartlett (RSA) GT2 #50 AF Corsa Ferrari F430 GT2 PlaFit SLP Camber 2916 laps 3 pts
15. Gert Klinge (B)/Remco van Waaij (NL)/Dirk Baele (B) GT2 #95 Advanced Engineering Ferrari F430 GT2 PlaFit SLP Camber 1217 laps 1.5 pts
16. Afolabi Osu (D)/Günther Riehl (D)/ Francesc Reyes (E) GT1 #33 Jetalliance Aston Martin DBR9 PlaFit SLP Camber Fola DNS 0 pts
Those are the world champions endurance racing: Ralph Seif (D), Christian Schnitzler (D) and Alexander Ortmann (D). Only in the first one hour stint they were preceded by the Saleen S7R of the Slovak team and by the Corvette C6-R of "Piki" van Rossem and Kai Kivekäs. That Corvette was victim of a bad collision, lost more than twenty laps in the pits and dropped definitively in the standings. At no moment the Corvette C6-R of the Bad Boys and the similar car of Racing for Holland seemed able to defeat the Selleslaghs Racing Corvette C6-R of Seif's team. There can be no doubt that Seif is the best model car assembler of the moment (and also the fastest: he assembled the winning car waiting the opebing of the front door on the pavement in the street!)  Picture: Dirk Baele.
The GT2 class was won by Kristof Huys/Björn van Campenhout/Jean Pierre van Rossem, one lap ahead over the Ferrari of Carlos Checa/Albert Ortega and Antonio Ortega. The Begian Ferrari was obviously faster than the Spanish one, but as JPVR loves thrilling finishes  he let the Spanish car coming back at one lap. If necessary the team had always Kristof Huys in house. With his 7"3s against 7"6s for the Spanish car he was always able to undo any eventual arrear. The Ortegas and Carlos Checa drove a spectacular race and contributed to the actual success of endurance racing.
With this Corvette, assembled by Gabriel Inäbnit, Nick de Wachter realised a superb performance during the last stint. Although racing on the slowest lane (red) he succeeded to undo a twenty laps arrear on the Bad Boys (racing on white). Christof Kremer saw all colours of the rainbow but could not prevent that Racing for Holland scored the second place. Picture: Dirk Baele.
Carlos Checa was crowned as best rookie of the meeting. But after the Checa incident a little smile was too much asked.  Picture: Dirk Baele.

ORIGINS OF THE CHECA CONFLICT
Before the start of the Endurance Race I told father Checa that it was not necessary to put wheel inserts since we were short in time. I was sleeping on the divan when race director Raymond van Campenhout decided that Carlos Checa had to come in to put the inserts. I was unaware of this decision, until Francesc Reyes explained it to me. Father Checa interpreted the decision as bad feelings from the race direction against the Checa's. That, however, was absolutely NOT the case.
I don't believe that the team of Carlos Checa should have won the race without the decision of the wheel inserts. Our car was much faster than his, and our decision was to let them come back at one lap, just to keep the thrill high enough. Imagine that without the wheel inserts incident they should have been ten laps ahead over our car, then we should have asked our fastest racer Kristof Huys to undo the arrears on Checa's car. Huys was turning laps of 7"3 against 7"6 for the car of Carlos Checa and the two Ortegas.
Father Checa interpreted the incident as a clear proof that the race direction was not impartial. All who know Raymond van Campenhout will be the very last to think such a thing.
Concerning the 132 race father Checa should understand that it should have been highly unfair if we should have considered that it was a correct race. We were all very tired and we made three mistakes. (1) The first was that we omitted to warm up the 132 cars: they had absolutely no grip during the first 30 minutes they were on the track. (2) The second mistake was that we let start the fastest racers as first, whilst the rules say clearly that the 8 slowest racers has to start in the first heat, the 8 fastest in the last heat. (3) The 132 race went with handout cars, suspected too be all equal. If at a given moment one of the cars is no longer working properly the race direction should have interrupted the race to give the man in problems another car. The fact that the man in problems was my proper son "Piki" played certainly a role in not taking the correct decision (once more Jean-Mariie Tillen was cruelly missed!) Just before his car broke "Piki" had an advance of 7 laps over Michael Niemas and went at an average of 225 laps. During the two last heats his car turned at 12 seconds per lap and deslotted at any curb. It should have been highly incorrect to consider such perturbed race as a world championship. I think that every neutral person could agree that such a race was to do over. At any rate next year we'll change the formula of the 132 race. We'll do it with 8 cars on the track being never changed of lane, so that all entrants have to race the 8 same cars. There will be a warm-up period of 30 minutes and it will be allowed to change a car if it is obviously deficient. Let's hope that father Checa understands things better, now he is well-informed.

  

THE CHECA AFFAIR (PROVISIONAL TEXT)
Since the son Björn of race director Raymond van Campenhout was among the entrants, that resulted in a highly painful situation during the final of the GT2 Endurance World Championship. Here the Checa clan should have been definitively disqualified for insult at the marshals and for never seen unsportmanslike behaviour. During the real last segment Carlos Checa was only one lap down to the team of Kristof Huys/Björn van Campenhout/JPVR. Trying to undo his arrears Carlos Checa deslotted a couple of times and insulted each time the marshals by the word "Coño!" (son-of-a-bitch). [Franscesc Reyes sent us a text out of a Spanish explicative dictionary to prove that "Coño!" is not such a thing as son of a bitch, but it was percepted by all entrants as if it was.] Should Jean-Marie Tillén having been there, there should be not the smallest doubt that he should have disqualified Carlos Checa for yelling at the marshals. The situation was even worse with Jose Javier Checa and Javier Checa racing on lane red, and deslotting deliberately a dozen of times in front of the leading car, with no other intention than to touch it and putting it out of the race.
Persons as the Checas deserve no entry in international racing if they don't change their behaviour. Under the pretext that they don't understand English very well, they tried at several occasions to cheat their competitors. At the start of the Mello Yello final for Amateurs Javier Checa - the leader of the clan - showed with a car smelling to tyre dressing products. His explanation, that it was just an accident, that he had not the smallest intention to cheat everybody, was just ridiculous. Of course he was disqualified, loosing his second place.
At prize giving the same Javier Checa found it opportune to insult IMCA's race direction. Now he pretended that his son Jose Javier Checa merited the trophy for the second place at the 1/32nd Worlds. That race was a completely disaster since the first 8 racers had no grip at all with the little cars. Moreover those 8 first should not have been the 8 best qualified racers but the 8 last qualified racers. One of the racers received a car which, at once, was beyond control. Instead of stopping the race to give him a new handout car, things continued, ending in a pure joke. So 7 of the 8 slowest racers at the 1/24 Worlds - having much better grip - were found among the best ranked ones at the end of their run. So it was obvious that the race should be done over in normal conditions. Of all entrants Javier Checa was the lonely one to contest that decision openly. The argument that his son Jose Javier Checa finished second at the first edition was untrue since at that race he finished only fourth.
The Checa Bros are excellent racers. It should be a pity to see them no more in international competition after the Herentals incidents. Perhaps Francesc Reyes can  be the moderator and to let forget what happened because tomorrow is another day, especially since tomorrow means also a new IMCA president: Mark Campbell!

NATIONS CUP 2008, JULY 20-24 HERENTALS

GERMANY A BEATS GERMANY B FOR NATIONS CUP

Holland A and Belgium A on ranks 3 and 4 need a stronger team
1. Germany A Michael Niemas, Philipp Kremer, Christof Kremer, [Günther Riehl, Björn Riehl] 141 + 123.5 + 24 288.5 points
2. Germany B Christian Schnitzler, Alexander Ortmann, Ralph Seif, [Caroline Schnitzler, Marcel Kuhn] 73.5 + 50 + 43.5 + 1 CC 168 points
3. Holland A Nick de Wachter, Marcel Oosterling, Remco van Waaij, [Henri van Gool] 118 + 24 + 1.5 + 2 CC 145.5 points
4. Belgium A "Piki" van Rossem, Jean-Pierre van Rossem, Kristof Huys, [Björn van Campenhout] 62 + 34.5 + 34 + 5 CC 135.5 points
5. Spain B Carlos Checa, Jose Javier Checa, Javier Checa 38.5 + 34.5 + 13.5 86.5 points
6. Fiscal Paradises Gabriel Inäbnit (CH), Afolabi Osu (NIG) 47 + 13.5 + 25 CC 85.5 points
7. Finland/Denmark Kai Kivekäs (SF)/Morten Iversen (DK)/Gorm Nørgaard (DK) 49.5 + 18 + 9 76.5 points
8. Australia/New Zealand Chris Radisich (NZ), Tim Tyler (AU) 40.5 + 33.5 73.5 points
9. Norway Børge Haug, Glenn Wennerberg, Roy Bråten, [Rolf K. Andersen] 45.5 + 28.5 +7.5 71.5 points
10. Belgium B Gert Klinge, Dirk Baele, Geert Mertens, [Louise Valkenbough, Chris Bruyninx, Gerry de Roeck] 16.5 + 13.5 + 9 + 24 CC 63 points
11. Spain A Albert Ortega, Antonio Ortega, Francesc Reyes 22.5 + 22.5 + 16.5 61.5 points
12. Canada/USA Mark Campbell (CDN), Fred Hood (USA), Terry Dalton (CDN) 18 + 15 + 4.5 37.5 points
13. Slovakia Ladislav Szalai, Jozef Miskolci, Laco Koterba jr 22 + 3 + 3 28 points
14. South-Africa Al Paterson, Anthony Bartlett, Craig Strydom, [Matt Bartlett] 3 + 3 + 3 + 18 CC 27 points
15. Italy Giovanni Montiglio, Mimo Martinez, Pietro Razzano 20 + 0 + 0 20 points
16. Holland B Desmond Dekker, Arthur de Kok, Hugo Dekker 6 + 0 + 0 6 points

CONCOURSE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2008, JULY 20 HERENTALS

LOUISE VALKENBORGH CAUSES A STIR AND WINS

It was no easy task to select the most beautiful car at the 20th IMCA Nats. Disappointing was the fact that the Bad Boys - normally always showing with perfect cars - came this time with cars being a clear insult for any modeller. Only nine cars were good for 20 concourse points. Especially the cars of Louise Valkenborgh (B), Gabriel Inäbnit, Fola Osu and Al Paterson were so close to each other that it was a shame to split them up over the four first places: all four merited the trophy. Eventually the GB Dealer Ferrari F430 as made by Louise Valkenborgh was selected as winner, especially due to the perfect hand painted mirrors. For the three following places we found no other system than a lottery draw. So the car of Gabriel Inäbnit  - last year's Concourse winner - came as second, the one entered by Al Paterson (RSA) - the 2006 Concourse winner - as third, and the one entered by Afolabi Osu (NIG) as fourth. It's a pity that the last named car is not on the right picture.
Surprisingly the cars of Craig Strydom (RSA) - finishing as sixth - and Arthur de Kok (NL), finishing as eighth were among the top-8. Nick de Wachter (NL) enters always splendid cars at the Concourse Worlds, but this year his car has nothing flashing as at earlier years. So the car was ranked as ninth.
After Concourse Fola quit the meeting without any explanation. Wasd he disappointed that he didn't win? Or was he upset that I told on the mike that the cars he prepaired for Piki and myself were not working at all? The last cannot be denied. During the four first warm-up races Piki could not defend his chances with the Fola car. Only at the two last rounds he was competitive, but then with a car assembled by Ralph Seif. No hard feelings, Fola!

Second place went to this car entered by Gabriel Inäbnit (CH). Picture: Dirk Baele.

Third place went to this car entered by Al Paterson (RSA). It's now waiting that team South-Africa stops its quereling with Gustav Heymann and that they can show at Toronto with a real expert, able to make the main. Picture: Dirk Baele.

Fourth place went to this car entered by Afolabi Osu (NIG). Of all concourse cars this was the one on which most work was spended.   Picture: Dirk Baele.

Detail of the splendid motor compartiment in Fola's car. Picture: Dirk Baele.

Fifth place went to this car entered by Mark Huys (B).  Picture: Dirk Baele.

Sixth place went to this car entered by Craig Strydom (RSA). Before the start Big Al mailed us that Craig Strydom was a top racer able to beat the best Germans. In fact that was wishful thinking. Craig's place is among the average amateurs, not among the experts.  Picture: Dirk Baele.

Seventh place went to this car entered by Dirk Baele. Baele surprised not only by this beautiful car but was also one of the best amateurs of the field. He finished third in the Mello Yello for Amateurs.  Picture: Dirk Baele.

Eight place went to this car entered by Arthur de Kok (NL). Obviously De Kok - always an excellent racer - missed practice to be again among the best racers  We hope to see him back in Toronto after serious practice on the MTT track. He's a man for the top-8. His last Worldsc entry dated from Ostend 2002. Picture: Dirk Baele.
IMCA 2008 NATS: WON IOC-POINTS PER RACER
  Toblerone Benelux Euronats 124 Worlds Gianotti 132 Warm-Up 132 Worlds Mello Yello Kids Mello Yello Amateurs Endurance Worlds TOTAL
1. Michael Niemas (D) 30 15 20 13.5 15 0 30 - - 18 141.5 pts
2. Philipp Kremer (D) 30 20 3 22.5 20 0 0 20 - 18 133.5 pts
3. Christian Schnitzler (D) - 0 0 30 0 0 13.5 NQ - 30 73.5 pts
4. "Piki" van Rossem (B) - 3 12 9 6 0 30 - - 13.5 73,5 pts
5. Kai Kivekäs (SF) - 6 15 0 12 12 9 - - 13.5 67.5 pts
6. Alexander Ortmann (D) - 0 2 18 0 0 0 1 - 30 51 pts
7. Nick de Wachter (NL) 22.5 DISQ DISQ DISQ DISQ 0 4.5 - - 22.5 49.5 pts
8. Ralph Seif (D) 4.5 12 0 1.5 1 0 0 - - 30 49 pts
9. Chris Radisich (NZ) - 9 1 3 9 0 18 - - 9 49 pts
10. Gabriel Inäbnit (CH) 22.5 0 0 0 0 2 0 - - 22.5 47 pts
11. Børge Haug (N) 18 0 0 0 3 0 0 - 20 4.5 45.5 pts
12. Carlos Checa (E) 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 4 9 22.5 41.5 pts
13. Tim Tyler (AU) 13.5 2 9 0 2 3 0 - - 9 38.5 pts
14. Jean Pierre van Rossem (B) 4.5 0 0 0 0 - - - - 30 34.5 pts
15. Jose Javier Checa (E) 9 0 0 0 0 9 0 12 - 4.5 34.5 pts
16. Caroline Schnitzler (D) - 0 0 0 0 0 1 15 - 18 34 pts
17. Kristof Huys (B) 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 - 30 34 pts
18. Björn van Campenhout (B) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - - 30 30 pts
19. Glenn Wennerberg (N) 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 2 4.5 24.5 pts
20. Christof Kremer (D) 3 1 6 0 0 0 0 - - 18 24 pts
21. Marcel Oosterling (NL) 1.5 0 - 0 0 - - - - 22.5 24 pts
22. Albert Ortega (E) 0 0 0 NQ 0 - -  NQ - 22.5 22.5 pts
23. Antonio Ortega (E) 0 0 0 NQ 0 - - - NQ 22.5 22.5 pts
24. Ladislav Szalai (SVK) - 0 0 0 0 15 2 2 - 3 22 pts
25. Giovanni Montiglio (I) - 0 0 0 0 20 - - - - 20 pts
26. Morten Iversen (DK) - 0 0 0 0 - - - 9 9 18 pts
27. Mark Campbell (CDN) 0 0 0 NQ 0 - - - NQ 18 18 pts
28. Thomas Nötzel (D) - - - - 0 - 0 - - 18 18 pts
29. Francesc Reyes (E) 3 0 0 0 0 - 0 - - 13.5 16.5 pts
30. Gert Klinge (B) 0 0 0 0 0 - - - 15 1.5 16.5pts
31. Fred Hood (USA) - 0 0 0 0 6 - - - 9 15 pts
32. Javier Checa (E) 9 0 0 0 0 - - - DISQ 4.5 13.5 pts
33. Afolabi Osu (NIG) 13.5 - - - 0 - - - - - 13.5 pts
34. Dirk Baele (B) 0 0 0 0 0 - - - 12 1.5 13.5 pts
35. Roy Bråten (N) 0 0 0 0 0 - - - 6 4.5 10.5 pts
36. Gorm Nørgaard (DK) - 0 0 0 0 - - - NQ 9 9 pts
36. Geert Mertens (B) - - - - 0 - - - - 9 9 pts
37. Desmond Dekker (NL) - 0 0 0 0 0 - 6 - - 6 pts
39. Terry Dalton (CDN) - 0 0 0 0 - - - NQ 4.5 4.5 pts
40. Jozef Miskolci (SVK) - 0 0 0 0 - - - - 3 3 pts
41. Laco Koterba jr (SVK) - 0 0 NQ 0 - 0 - NQ 3 3 pts
42. Al Paterson (RSA) - 0 0 0 0 - - - - 3 3 pts
43. Craig Strydom (RSA) - 0 0 NQ 0 - 0 - - 3 3 pts
44. Anthony Bartlett (RSA) - 0 0 0 0 - - - NQ 3 3 pts
45. Louise Valkenborgh (B) - 0 0 0 0 - - 3 - - 3 pts
46. Henri van Gool (NL) 1.5 - - - - - - - - - 1.5 pts
47. Remco van Waaij (NL) - - - - - - - - - 1.5 1.5 pts
48. Matt Bartlett (RSA) - 0 0 0 0 - - NQ - - 0 pts
49. Rolf K. Andersen (N) 0 0 0 0 0 - - - NQ - 0 pts
50. Arthur de Kok (NL) - 0 0 0 0 - - - - - 0pts
51. Hugo Dekker (NL) - 0 0 0 0 - - - - - 0 pts
52. Pietro Razzano (I) - 0 0 NQ 0 - - - - - 0 pts
53. Mimo Martinez (I) - 0 0 0 0 - - - - - 0 pts
54. Andreas Höne (D) 0 - - - - - - - - - 0 pts
55. Jens Gerlach (D) 0 - - - - - - - - - 0 pts
56. Chris Bruyninx 0 0 0 0 0 - - - NQ - 0 pts
57. Gerry de Roeck (B) 0 0 0 NQ 0 - - - NQ - 0 pts
58. Ward Somers (B) 0 - - - - - - - - - 0 pts
59. Bart Gijzen (B) 0 - - - - - - - - - 0 pts
60. Quinten van Spauwen (B) 0 - - - - - - - - - 0 pts
 
FRANCO GIANOTTI TROPHY - JULY 19 -  HERENTALS (B) 1ST FREE PRACTICE SESSION
PHILIPP KREMER: NEW MTT MODEL CAR WR: 7"306
Fastest on all lanes, except purple - 4 racers go under 7"500 - Ralph Seif generous in helping others
racer BEST RED WHITE GREEN ORANGE BLUE YELLOW PURPLE BLACK
1. Philipp Kremer (D) 7"306 7"846 7"707 7"649 7"581 7"507 7"435 7"435
7"306
2. Nick De Wachter (NL) 7"413 7"964 7"836 7"741 7"626 7"580 7"556
7"413
 7"453
3. Michael Niemas (D) 7"491 8"050 8"003 7"904 7"636 7"597 7"491 7"536 7"502
4. Piki van Rossem (B) 7"499 8"209 7"994 7"899 7"756 7"838 7"499 7"501 7"696
5. Chris Radisich (NZ) 7"560 8"311 8"012 7"901 7"774 7"707 7"623 7"587 7"560
6. Christoph Kremer (D) 7"576 8"088 8"127 7"903 7"685 7"607 7"692 7"626 7"576
7.Afolabi Osu (NIG) 7"714 8"156 7"966 7"954 7"888 7"789 7"724 7"714 7"709
8. Tim Tyler (AUS) 7"682 8"065 7"906 7"919 7"826 7"795 7"682 7"732 7"736
9. Francesc Reyes (E) 7"696 8"256 8"132 8"063 7"868 7"897 7"773 7"768 7"696
10. Børge Haug (N) 7"746 8"195 8"246 7"969 7"884 7"846 7"827 7"746 7"766
11. Gabriel Inäbnit (CH) 7"756 8"192 8"087 8"018 7"915 7"723 7"770 7"783 7"756
12. Javier Checa (E) 7"819 8"422 8"120 8"014 7"967 7"873 7"827 7"819 7"868
13. Glenn Wennerberg (N) 7"837 8"399 8"217 8"178 7"997 7"951 7"870 7"954 7"837
14. Huys Kristof (B) 7"869 8"456 8"219 NT 8"065 NT 7"989 8"056 7"869
15. Carlos Checa (E) 7"892 8"659 8"212 8"318 7"968 8"158 7"892 7"957 7"971
16. Jean Pierre van Rossem (B) 7"913 8"586 8"703 8"208 8"173 7"913 8"016 8"040 8"075
17. Jose javier Checa (E) 7"923 8"591 8"232 8"154 8"039 8"110 8"101 7"933 7"923
18. Björn van Campenhout (B) 7"955 8"542 8"227 8"374 8"141 8"023 8"093 7"985 7"955
19. Chris Bruyninx (B) 7"992 8"616 8"400 8"105 8"134 7"947 8"184 7"995 7"992
20. Gert Klinge (B) 7"995 8"877 8"339 8"406 8"250 8"002 8"321 7"995 8"011
21. Terry Dalton (CDN) 8"005 8"786 8"513 8"268 8"203 8"135 8"025 8"114 8"005
22. Mark Campbell (CDN) 8"005 8"679 8"415 8"302 8"147 8"129 8"183 8"104 8"005
23. Valkenborgh Louise (B) 8"077 8"567 8"417 8"317 8"317 8"570 8"404 8"291 8"077
24. Antonio Ortega (E) 8"094 8"701 8"822 8"603 8"405 8"269 8"129 8"159 8"094
25. Baele Dirk 8"301 8"708 8"503 8"663 8"461 8"303 8"370 8"301 8"303
26. Albert Ortega (E) 8"351 8"992 8"636 9"679 8"376 8"548 8"432 8"351 8"362
27. Giovanni Montiglio (I) 8"395 9"018 8"992 NT 8"637 8"553 8"678 8"395 8"462
28. Gorm Nørgaard (DK) 8"639 9"011 8"748 8"749 8"669 8"639 NT 8"832 9"08
29. Morten Iversen (DK) 8"992 9"714 9"639 9"168 9"420 9"022 9"165 8"992 9"162
30. Mimo Martinez (I) 8"994 NT NT 9"844 NT 8"994 10"167 10"336 8"994
31. Pietro Rozzano (I) 10"015 NT NT 11"186 10"015 14"591 NT NT NT
32. Laco Korterba jr (SVK) 12"936 12"936 NT NT NT NT NT NT NT
TOBLERONE 24 HOURS - JULY 18-19, HERENTALS (B) - IOC Race level 1
NIEMAS/P. KREMER AFTER THRILLING LAST SEGMENT
Metris Chassis highly competitive - Haug/Wennerberg score their first top result

July 19, 2008 - Michael Niemas and Philipp Kremer won the Toblerone Classic 24 hour race, not because they were the best, but because Nick de Wachter gave it away at the early stages of the race. Indeed, all other cars had already achieved 10 laps when Nick's car was still standing immobile at the start line. Then Marcel Oosterling decided to drive the first laps, waiting that someone could find De Wachter or Inäbnit. The four first segments the Metris car - yes they used as first in international racing a Metris chassis! - res. 18, 8, 16 and 5 laps on the PlaFit SLP car of Philipp Kremer and Michael Niemas. Then at once Nick de Wachter decided to go for it: now he achieved 112, 114 (record), and 110 laps. After the first section of 8 runs De Wachter/Inäbnit were only fifth, having lost in total 22 laps on their German opponents. However it were not Niemas/Kremer having won the first day section, but Afolabi Osu/Tim Tyler, having been 4 laps faster.
Biggest surprise of the first day section was caused by the Schöler car of Kristof Huys/Björn van Campenhout,  fighting with the top-3 during the early stages of the race. Towards the end of the first day section they were passed by Glenn Wennerberg and Børge Haug, finishing third, six laps down to Osu/Tyler.
Several teams didn't show, among them the Italian team of Giovanni Montiglio and Mimo Martinez, the Slovak team of Jozef Miskolci/Ladislav Szalai and the German team of Günther and Björn Riehl (having had problems with their camper on their way to Belgium). With 15 starting teams instead of 18 it was possible to save time. So it was decide to organise the second day section immediately after the first one, and to finish with the night section in the dark So the race was over at 5 a.m. giving all entrants 12 hours to sleep before the practice session in view of the Worlds, starting at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

  

Before the handout of the motors there were four hours of free practice. Here Philipp Kremer caused an absolute stir by clocking the fastest time ever with a model car on an MTT track. He realised on purple a fantastic 7"509. Very fast too was the car Ralph Seif built for "Piki" (who couldn't show!), clocking 7"632 as best time. The car however was very irregular, suffering from a dubious road holding. During the race it suffered all kinds of woes (even a broken wheel after a collision), but clocked the best race time, nl. 7"651. During the race Philipp Kremer gave full evidence why he's the man to beat at the 20th Worlds. On the slow red lane he realised a fantastic 7"948 whilst other top racers failed to go under 8"1 on that lane.
We noted during the race some fine performances of racers not expected to do so. Quinten van Spauwen won twice his segment in the B-hearts, Bruyninx/Somers did the same at the last stages of the race. An other surprise came from the three Checas being very fast. Javier Checa/Jose Javier Checa, who took a real bad start, succeeded to move from the B-heats to the A-heats after having lost 59 laps during the first day section. They finished as fifth overall. Carlos Checa wa&s eliminated with a broken body, Björn van Campenhout/Kristof Huys were eliminated from the sixth place when, during the night section, at once their rear lights were no longer functioning after a collision. The car of Gert Klinge was more in the pits than on the track, but we saw Gert realising a couple of laps in the 7"9s proving that he's ready for the Amateurs Worlds.
Fola won concourse where Jens Gerlach (finishing later as a meriting 10th) and Chris Bruyninx (finishing as 9th) took the second and third place.At the end of the race there was some thrill when Niemas/Kremer lost 12 laps and the lead on changing a pinion.
1. Michael Niemas (S)/Philipp Kremer (D) PlaFit SLP Camber 193 gram 8"060 815 835 849 2499 laps 30 IOC pts
2. Nick de Wachter (NL)/Gabriel Inäbnit (CH) Metris MkIII Camber 185 gram 8"461 793 849 845 2487 laps 22.5 IOC pts
3. Glenn Wennerberg (N)/Børge Haug (N) PlaFit SLP Camber 199 gram 8"259 813 821 835 2469 laps 18 IOC pts
4. Afolabi Osu (NIG)/Tim Tyler (AUS) PlaFit SLP Camber 191 gram 8"064 819 818 830 2467 laps 13.5 IOC pts
5. Javier  Checa (E)/Jose Javier Checa (E) PlaFit SLP Camber 204 gram 9"286 750 836 841 2427 laps 9 IOC pts
6. Ralph Seif (D)/Jean Pierre van Rossem (B) PlaFit SLP no camber 194 gram 8"139 772 803 805 2380 laps 4.5 IOC pts
7. Francesc Reyes (E)/Christoph Kremer (D) MoMo SLW 07 no camber 207 gram 8"384 793 794 787 2377 laps 3 IOC pts
8. Marcel Oosterling (NL)/Henri van Gool (NL) PlaFit SLP no camber 181 gram 8"420 791 805 781 2377 laps 1.5 IOC pts
9. Ward Somers (B)/Chris Bruyninx (B) PlaFit SLP Camber 198 gram 8"950 747 770 780 2297 laps -
10. Jens Gerlach (D)/Andreas Höne (D) Schöler no camber 201 gram 8"450 757 761 755 2273 laps -
11. Antonio Ortega (E)/Albert Ortega (E) PlaFit Super 24 no camber 212 gram 8"716 732 759 740 2231 laps -
12. Bart Gijzen (B)/Quinten van Spauwen (B) Plafit Excel no camber 199 gram 9"049 731 636 718 2085 laps -
13. Kristof Huys (B)/Björn van Campenhout (B) Schöler no camber 224 gram 8"418 794 794 341 1929 laps -
14. Carlos Checa (E)/Mark Campbell (CDN) MSC Camber 180 gram 8"754 696 762 452 1910laps -
15. Gert Klinge (B)/Dirk Baele (B) PlaFit SLP Camber 201 gram 12"651 203 448 409 1050 laps -
Fastest Race Laps: 7"622 Ralph Seif, 7"651 Philipp Kremer, 7"702 Nick de Wachter - Concourse: 1. Afolabi Osu, 2. Jens Gerlach, 3. Chris Bruyninx.
The most beautiful trophies - also the most expensive - were for the Toblerone Endurance race. Winners were Michael Niemas and Philipp Kremer. I have still a last obligation in slot-racing, organising the Toblerone Race with 1973 Le Mans cars. That race, scheduled for early March 2009 will be very exclusive, since only 32 top racers will be admitted at the start. Half of them will be Germans, the other ones non-Germans. There will be raced with two racers per car and each team of two racers will have to enter two cars: one prototype and one GT car (a Porsche Carrera RSR or a Ferrari 365 GTB4 Daytona). If you are interested to enter, please mail at jppro@pandora.be.
Gabriel Inäbnit and Nick de Wachter finished as second in the Toblerone race. They used a Metris Mk3 chassis. During the last segment they achieved to catch the lead when the car of Niemas/Kremer had to come into the box to replace a pinion. However, the Germans could undo their arrears to win eventually.
Glenn Wennerberg and Børge Haug finished as third in the Toblerone.

1ST PWS (PLAFIT WORLDS SERIES - IGUALDA (E), OCTOBER 31-NOVEMBER 1, 2008 (IOC-EVENT LEVEL 2)

IKER SANTOS/JOSEMA GARCIA/A.TIMONEDA/V. PENA

Nockemann/Schaffland/Schnitzer 2nd, De Wachter 3rd, Seif & Co 10th, Mertens 22nd

December 9, 2008 - Iker Santos, Josema Garcia, Armando Timoneda and Victor Pena won the fourth and last PlaFit IOC Race of 2008 in Spain. In total 26 teams showed: 15 from Spain, 6 from Germany, 1 from Japan, 1 from Belgium and 1 from Italy. Eventually the Italian and one of the German teams didn't start. Several world champions model car racing were at the start, among them the reigning sprint world champion Christian Schnitzler, the world champions endurance racing Ralph Seif, Alexander Ortmann and Christian Schnitzler, the multiple ex-world champion Nick de Wachter, ex-world champion Geert Mertens and the 2006 amateur's world champion Antonio Ortega. Seif/Ortmann /Caroline Schnitzler - who won earlier this year the DKPM and the DPM could not convince as they finished not higher than tenth. Günther Riehl was fourteenth, the Ortegas were sixteenth. No longer a racer, rather a walking beer barrel, is Geert Mertens. Even pure amateurs go too fast for the 2000 world champion who finished at a poor 22nd place out of 24. He's the lonely ex-world champion having fallen so low, a shame for the racer he once was in much better days. Much better were the three Checas, finishing eighth overall. Of them Jose Javier Checa finishes as 2008 rookie of the year, followed at a couple of points by his brother Carlos Checa. Another excellent rookie this year was Patrick Meister. together with Peter Recker and the Storks he finished fourth. Nick de Wachter with Andreas Laufenberg and Thomas Nötzel came 57 laps short to win. Reigning world champion Christian Schnitzler, with Sebastian Nockemann and Jan Schaffland as team mates finished as second, 16 laps down to the surprising Spanish winners.

1ST PANAM PLAFIT NATS - CHICAGO (USA), OCTOBER 4-5, 2008 (IOC-EVENT LEVEL 2)

AKIRA BANNO/NOBUHISA KUDOU WIN BY 3 LAPS

RADISICH/HOOD 2ND- CHARMING AUSSIES ROESTORF/WALEKIN/BARTHOLEMEW 3RD

October 7, 2008 - This week-end, by organising the 1st Panam Plafit Championship in Chicago, Mark Campbell put model car racing with hard plastic bodies on America's map. Sure that there is still a long way to go, but now American and Canadian racers learned at least where they can find shops selling the most successful model car chassis in history. Campbell also succeeded to bring a Japanese works team at the start together with an Australian team, five American teams, two Canadian teams, two mixed Canam teams and the famous Fred Hood (USA)/Chris Radisich (NZ) tandem. We have to go back to the 1987 Nations Cup at Profondville to see the same. Bringing such teams together was certainly no small performance. And yes some famous subscribers could not show - I mean Herman James (USA), "Gugu" Bernardino (BR) and the Danish team of Gørm Norgaard/Martin Borch/Søren Thomsen - but that's a quite normal thing in international racing.
Of the twelve entered teams eight were racing the famous Porsche 911 GT1 body (so famous in Plafit DPM and DKPM racing), but some Canadians opted for the Corvette C6-R. Concourse was won by the Corvette of Brian Meharry (USA).
Racing went on the wooden 8-laner in the shop of Roger & Laura Schmitt where good old Andy Wasserman did the race direction. Press covering of the race was done by Mick "MG" Brown of SARN. It's perhaps good to remember that SARN's John Ford organised already in 1988 the IMCA Model Car Worlds at Broadview near Chicago, at Jerry Kulish's place.
At the Qualifications Nobuhisa Koudo (J) - runner-up at the 2007 DPM  where he realised the pole - was the fastest man in 8"081. Second place on the grid went to the famous racing duo Fred Hood (USA)/Chris Radisich (NZ). On the American continent they are the lonely ones having survived with success the technical revolution of 2003-2008. Indeed, laminated bodies, use of carbon parts on the chassis, camber front wheels: all that originated up from 2003, making the entry level for newcomers much higher than in the period 1985-2002 where nobody raced such sophisticated model cars as now. Especially Radisich - a typical all-rounder, racing wing cars, ISRA scale cars and model cars with the same success - is one of the most feared model car racers in the international circuit. He reached three times the main final of a Model Car 124 World Championship: in 2001, 2007 and 2008. At the qualifications Chris realised 8"201. Third best time was realised by Jan Roestorf, originally from South-Africa, but living in Australia. Last year he won at Durban the South-African Model Car Nats, ahead over Paul Erlo and Craig Strydom. Now he clocked a fastest lap in 8"253.
Already before the start I wrote that the Japanese and Australian teams, together with the Hood/Radisich duo - should dominate the Panam Plafit Nats, just as happened. All others were thus struggling for the fourth place. At the qualifications that fourth place went to Colin Schmitt (USA)/Mike Stahl (USA) with 8"374, letting Mark Campbell (CDN)/Jeff Goldberg (USA) behind on rank 5 with 8"453, and Roger Schmitt (USA)/Terry Dalton (CDN) on rank 6 with 8"462. Already at the 20th IMCA Worlds Dalton, having made the wrong set-up of his car - proved that he was an excellent newcomer, what he now confirmed at the Panam Plafit Championship.

 

Those are the winners of the 1st PANAM Nats with top qualifier Nobuhisa Kudou at the left and Akira Banno at the right. They entered earlier a couple of times the Deutsche Plafit Meisterschaft where Kudou already finished once on the podium. If things go well we may them expect to drive the #46 Fmying Lizard Porsche at the 2009 Toronto Worlds: it's the car which organiser Mark Campbell reserved for the winners of the PANAM Nats. You can see the car here. In the IOC-ranking Kudou counts already 36 points, Banno 20 points.

As at all PlaFit Championships the eventual race goes over three sections of 8 x 7 minutes. Racing goes with handout Bison Mk3 motors being raced at 19 Volts.  In the first section we witness an unbelievable close combat among the Japanese team, the Australian team and the Hood/Radisich tandem. What nobody had expected is that the Aussies are tremendously fast, proving that Australian model car racing is a high level business. That was earlier proven at the 20th IMCA Worlds where Tim Tyler - this other all-rounder - was among the best racers. Without the accident with his rear tyres (someone gave him a pair of used tyres!!!) he should certainly have been one of the finalists. In international racing one always forget that Europe is not the lonely model car continent, but that Australia has also a long tradition in model car racing. At the Panam Plafit Championship Jan Roestof & Cie succeeded even to win the first race section, beating Hood/Radisich and Kudou/Banno by ... half a lap. It was a splendid racing spectacle and the best thinkable promotion for model car racing.
At the first section the leading trio took more than seven laps over the SARN team of Mick "MG" Brown & cie, fifteen over Colin Schmitt/Mike Stahl and twenty over Mark Campbell/ Jeff Goldberg.
In the rear Bob Bainborough/Tim Schnyder - two subscribers at the 2009 Toronto Worlds, where they'll race a copy of the #45 Flying Lizard Porsche, having finished second in GT2 at last Saturday's Petit Le Mans 1000 miles - suffered serious problems with their orange Corvette. The car had to come into the garage where some 140 laps were lost. Problems too for the Corvette of Laura Schmitt/Bill Cycko, loosing nearly hundred laps.
Another subscriber at the 2009 Toronto Worlds being present at the Panam Plafit Championship is Terry Dalton, who'll drive the #71 Tafel Racing Ferrari F430 GT (having finished third in its class at last week-end's Petit Le Mans). Teamed with track owner Roger Schmitt he was involved in a close combat with Campbell/Goldberg. At the end of the first race section Dalton & Schmitt were ten laps down to Campbell & Goldberg, a handicap that they hoped to undo at the two following sections.
Everybody seemed convinced that the first place of the Aussies at the first section was perhaps a lucky shot, but spectators could hardly believe their eyes when they saw that those famous Aussies were winning ... again at the end of the second race section. Now they took again a half lap over Hood/Radisich and Banno/Kudou. That implied that after the two first sections three cars were hold in just one lap. Now Colin Schmitt/Mike Stahl could take eight laps over the SARN racers, finishing fourth. Unfortunately that was not enough to pass them in the provisional standings, as after two race segments they were still one lap down to Mick "MG" Brown & Cie.
In the struggle for the sixth place Dalton/Schmitt lost again ten laps from Campbell/Goldberg, so that, without major technical problems the new IMCA president and his team mate were sure about a sixth spot on arrival.  In the rear Bainborough/Snyder lost more laps and could avoid the last place only since DiRubbo/Mehary didn't enter their beautiful and colourful Corvette C6-R at the second race section. We have no information on what were the reasons for their forfait.

Fred Hood, despite his age, is up to now the best American model car racer. As well at the 2007 IMCA Worlds in Mechelen and at the 2008 IMCAZ Worlds at Herentals he proved that he can compete with the best model car racers of the world. By finishing second at the PANAM Nats he climbs in the all time IOC-list from rank 98 to rank 88. Chris Radisich (NZ) is since years the best model car racer of New Zealand. Just as Hood he's a typical all-rounder racing wing cars, scale cars and model cdars as well. Chris reached already three times the main final of the IMCA Worlds (in 2001, in 2007 and in 2008). Since he's living in the States he became one of the best racers of the World. In the IOC-ranking he's now 53rd.

At the second race section the three leading teams had increased their speed over 8 x 7 minutes by five laps. At the start of the third section everybody was curious if that average speed could still be increased. Something seemed obvious: the Japanese, being only seven segments down to the second place, were running the two first segments on reserve. It was doubted that they could go even faster. But what with the Aussies having already won the two first racing segments? Soon after the start it became obvious that ànd the Aussies ànd Hood/Radisisch should have problems to follow the unbelievable high speed produced by Nobuhisa Kudou. Already after the first segment he took half a lap on Hood/Radisich. They, however, could maintain their second place in the overall standings as the Aussies lost two laps in one segment. The third race section was thus an all-Japanese speed festival. The Plafit Works Team achieved now 391 laps, four more than at the second section and nine more than at the first section. Hood/Radisich could just maintain their average speed of the second section: they did only five small segments faster. For the Aussies, having given a spectacular demonstration during the two first sections, it was all drama now. They finished only fifth in the third segment, loosing thirteen laps from the Japanese. Nevertheless Roesdorf/Bartholemew/Wakelin could maintain in the overall standings the third place.
Behind them there is a merciless combat for the fourth place among the SARN team and Colin Schmitt/Mike Stahl, being less than one lap apart in the overall standings after two race sections. During the complete third section both teams are racing nose to tail. Eventually Colin and Mike can pass the SARN team, winning the third place of the section, but ... only a half lap ahead over the SARN racers, not enough to pass Moser/Azarraga/ Brown for the fourth place overall. Behind them Campbell/Goldberg (6th) and Roger Schmitt/Dalton (7th) maintain their position. There is no struggle for the last IOC point as Kelley/Worden have enough laps in hand over Arno Grazie/David Grazie and Laura Schmitt/Bill Cicko to secure their eight place overall. Back in town were DiRubbo/Mehary, achieving 360 laps, and reaching rank 8 of the third section, however not enough to avoid the last place in the overall ranking.
The Panam Plafit Nats were a great promotion for model car racing on the American continent. We saw spectacular close racing among the three first team, and again among the teams fighting for the fourth place. Let's hope that next year Brazilians and some Europeans will show for the second edition! And when there will be an Australian Plafit Championship: the Aussies, they charmed anyone by their nice performances at the Nats! [JPVR]

 

Concourse winner Brian Meharry shows proudly his very nice Corvette C6-R. In the background we see the new track of Schmitt's shop.

The Aussies proved that there are other excellent model car racers than only Tim Tyler down unter. Let's hope that there will be an Australian team present at the 2009 Toronto Worlds. We see at the left Jan Roestorf (earlier winner of the South-African Model Car Nats), Laura Schmitt, Simon Wakelin and Andrew Bartholemew. Roestorf already subsribed for the Toronto Worlds. All three join now the IOC-ranking with 12 points.

Mike Stahl (left) is an ISRA American scale racer, but proved that he's more than an average model car racer. With his team mate Colin Schmitt - son of Roger and Laura Schmitt -he caused a stir by fibnishing third at the last section. Mike Stahl and Colin Schmitt finished fourth overall at the Panam Nats. Let's hope that we see them back at the 2009 Toronto Worlds. Both join now the IOC-ranking where Colin counts 6 points, Mike 8 points.
All cars at the technical control: 8 Porsches 911 GT1 and 3 Corvettes C6-R Mister Plafit himself - Nori Ono - was of course present at the 1st PANAM Plafit Nats
RACERS TEAM Qualification Section 1 Section 2 Tot 1 + 2 Section 3 Total laps won IOC-pts
1. Akira Banno (J)/Nobuhisa Kudou (J) Plafit Works Team 8"081 (1) 382.71 (3) 387.60 (3) 770.31 (3) 391.43 (1) 1161.74 20 pts
2. Fred Hood (USA)/Chris Radisich (NZ) Crash Kids 8"201 (2) 382.77 (2) 387.62 (2) 770.39 (2) 387.65 (2) 1158.04 15 pts
3. Jan Roestorf (AU)/Simon Wakelin (AU)/Andrew Bartholemew (AU) Ausforce 8"253 (3) 383.34 (1)

388.24 (1)

 771.58 (1) 378.42 (5) 1150.00 12 pts
4. Kurt Moser (USA)/Mark Azarraga (USA)/Mick "MG" Brown (USA) SARN Racers 8"509 (7) 375.68 (4) 375.79 (5) 751.47 (4) 380.33 (4) 1131.80 9 pts
5. Colin Schmitt (USA)/Mike Stahl (USA) 2 Stooges 8"374 (4) 367.27 (5) 383.33 (4) 750.60 (5) 380.72 (3) 1131.32 6 pts
6. Mark Campbell (CND)/Jeff Goldberg (USA) Jay Gee Racing 8"453 (5) 362.37 (6) 372.26 (6) 734.63 (6) 370.30 (7) 1104.93 3 pts
7. Roger Schmitt (USA)/Terry Dalton (CND) Canam Racing 8"462 (6) 345.59 (7) 362.60 (7) 708.19 (7) 370.79 (6) 1078.59 2 pts
8. Larry Kelley (USA)/Bill Worden (USA) K & W Racing 8"761 (9) 345.43 (8) 346.14 (8) 691.57 (8) 338.46 (9) 1030.03 1 pt
9. Amo Grazie (CND)/Navid Grazie (CND) Nizztex Racing 8"967 (10) 308.76 (10) 325.77 (9) 634.53 (9) 308.40 (11) 994.98 -
10. Laura Schmitt (USA)/Bill Cycko (USA) Psycho Racing 9"409 (11) 291.44 (11) 323.16 (10) 614.60 (10) 321.56 (10) 936.16 -
11. Bob Bainborough (CND)/Tim Snyder (CND) Hello Wall Racing 9"533 (12) 240.59 (12) 291.64 (11) 532.23 (11) 303.66 (12) 835.89 -
12. Larry Dirubbo (USA)/Brian Meharry (USA) DiRubbo Racing 8"633 (8) 342.58 (9) 0.00 (12) 342.58 (12) 360.45 (8) 703.03 -

4TH SUMMERNIGHT 5 L RACE - NEUMÜNSTER (D), AUGUST 29-30, 2008 (IOC-EVENT LEVEL 3)

KAI KIVEKÄS/MATTHIAS PARKE WIN IT ALL

KAI'S FOURTH IOC WIN OF 2008 -  DISCOVER THE OTHER WORLD OF DSC RACING

September 14, 2008 - The Summernight L Race is new on the IOC Calendar and candidate to be upgraded next year to a Level 2 IOC-event. It's organised since 2005 and is a confrontation between 1/24th model cars of the Ferraris 512 and the Porsches 917. Number of entrants is steadily growing and it is the most international of all DSC races. This year 32 teams of 2 racers showed. Among them Kai Kivekäs (SF), Patrick Studer (CH), Ernst Oertli (CH), Peter Bichsel (CH), Uwe Frühbauer (A), Ole Andersen (DK), Karsten Frederiksen (DK), Jakob Andersen (DK), and Mehmet Sirsek (TR). Except for the European champion Endurance Racing - Kai Kivekäs - those racers are all typical DSC racers, not earlier seen in international competition.
The 5L Summernight Race is contested on the wooden 5-laner of the SCR Northland over four sections of five segments. There are two day sections and two night sections. The Qualifications determine the order of the heats. In the famous Werksteam of Mathhias Parke Jürgen Stüdemann (D) was replaced by Kai Kivekäs since he moved from DSC racing to SLP racing. Parke himself was not happy with his former team mate since, last year, at the 5L Summernight Race, Jürgen lost 5 or 6 laps at the night section, and 3 at the day section, so that the Werksteam failed to win the 2007 edition.
Although it was generally expected that the race should start with one minute of silence in honour of Stefan Wiesel who passed away last year, this was not the case as his wife, Beate Wiesel, insisted not to do so. At the qualifications none of the two favourite teams could realise the pole. The #25 Porsche 917L of Dieter Jens (D) and Peter Berg (D) realised only the fourth best time in 6"319, whilst the #5 Ferrari 512 Coda Lunga of the Werksteam was only fifth in 6"330. Pole position went thus unexpectedly to the yellow #12 Ferrari 512S Frank Hermes (D)/Dieter Sommer (D) - two excellent DSC racers having earlier won the Dieter Jens Le Mans Challenge - in 6"268. Second best time went to the other yellow Ferrari 512 of Memet Simsek (TR)/Frank Schauf (D) in 6"281. The Swiss duo Patrick Studer/Peter Bichsel made it a 1-2-3 for the Ferraris. They drove a copy of the Filipinetti Ferrari 512M which I bought in 1989 in Monaco at scale 1/1 and with one I won a couple of races at the Ferrari Club meetings of 1989 and 1990. First Porsche 917 was thus the one driven by Dieter Jens.

The Ferrari 512M Coda Lunga of Kai Kivekäs (SF)/Matthias Parke (D), having won the four race sections dominated the race despite a rather weak qualification time.

The first day section was won by Matthias Parke (D), letting Frank Hermes (D) and Patrick Studer (CH) 2.5 laps behind. The top 7 were all Ferraris with Frank Schauf (D), still second on the grid, having dropped into sixth place, nearly five laps behind the leader. First Porsche 917 was the #25 of Peter Berg (D), having lost seven laps after gear problems. Another Porsche 917, of the Jens Brothers, lost more than 20 laps after electrical problems, and dropped in the one but last position. David Rietz (D) with the Junior Werksteam Porsche lost  13 laps and was 19th.
Everybody was curious if, at the second day section, Kai Kivekäs (SF) should be able to maintain the first place his team mate Parke conquered at the first day section. Indeed, Kivekäs has absolutely not the same track experience as Parke, and is no DSC racer as the rest of the field. But Kivekäs, having won this year two of the three rounds at the 2008 EEC, having won the EEC championship, having been third at the Sprint EuroNats and fourth at the Endurance Worlds, is an all-rounder. Deslotting only once or twice he wins easily the second day section ahead of Dieter Jens (D) and Peter Bichsel (CH). The yellow Ferrari of Memet Simsek (TR) looses 8 laps and falls back from sixth into ninth position. After the two day sections top-5 positions are: 1. Kivekäs/Parke (Ferrari) 372.2 laps, 2. Studer/Bichsel (Ferrari) 368.8 laps, 3. Hermes/Sommer (Ferrari) 367.2 laps, 4. Schäfer/Reimer (Ferrari) 366.8 laps, 5. D. Jens/Berg (Porsche) 365.5 laps. The Werksteam Juniors are 22nd, the Jens Bros 25th (after a fine ninth place in the second day section).
At the first night section Kai Kivekäs (SF) holds the wheel of the leading Ferrari and wins again, now with Frank Hermes (D) as second, one and a half lap behind, and Patrick Studer (CH) as third. The team of Simsek (TR)/Schauf (D) realises that they made a mistake, announce it to the race direction, and receive a 30 laps penalty, dropping them in 31st position.
Starting the second and last night section most positions are definitively acquired. Parke (D) wins four and a half lap over Bichsel and Sommer. By finishing only seventh in the last section Hanel/Schröder drop two places in the final ranking. So final ranking gives:

 1. Kivekäs/Parke (Ferrari - MoMo MP-X) 744.53 laps, 2. Studer/Bichsel (Ferrari - MoMo MP) 733.21 laps, 3. Lars Scheifer/Jan Reimer (Ferrari - MoMo MP) 731.63 laps, 4. Hermes/Sommer (Ferrari - Schöler Striker 5513D) 730.76 laps, 5. D. Jens/P. Berg (Porsche - Eigenbau) 728.62 laps, 6. Peter Hanel/Nils Schröder (Ferrari - MoMo MP06) 721.03 laps, 7. Krieger/Badenkopf (Ferrari - Schöler Striker 5513D) 719.57 laps, 8. Uwe Frübauer/Michael Wilke (Porsche - Schöler Striker 5513D) 717.66 laps.

First SLP chassis was found under the Ferrari of Gerd van de Wiel (D)/Joachim Welsch (D) finishing eleventh. The Werksteam juniors finished as 19th, the Jens Bros as 20th. There were 32 cars at the finish. The Porsche of Beate Wiesel and newcomer Frank Leib (D), mounted on a MoMo MP chassis, finished tenth overall.

First Porsche 917, and main favourite before the start, was this 917L shared by Dieter Jens (D) and Peter Berg (D). They finished fifth overall. During the first day section, however, Peter Berg lost six laps in the pits with gear problems. That made them dropping into eight position. But even without those problems the Porsche 917L, mounted on an experimental chassis, should never have finished much higher than the fifth place as the new MoMo MP chassis was outstanding. Top-3 finishing cars all used that chassis. An older MoMo MP06 finished sixth. The Schöler Striker 5513D finished 4th, 7th and 8th. First PlaFit chassis was 11th. First Slotvision Mk3 chassis was 13th.

One question is unanswered up to now. Why international top racers - having been massively present at the SRC Northland track in 2005 - never returned? It's a very nice race location, reception is done in the most friendly way, there are enough working benches, catering is perhaps not la haute cuisine française and very German but fair enough, entry fee is rather low: so why nobody of the top racers returns to SRC Northland? It's a bare objective fact that even the best German racers stay away, I mean: Michael Niemas, Philipp Kremer, Ralph Seif, Christian Schnitzler, Christof Kremer, Caroline Schnitzler, Sebastian Nöckemann, Thomas Nötzel, Kurt Petri, Andreas Laufenberg, Norman Grund, Jan Uhlig, Manfred Stork, etc. This year even Jan Schaffland, Dirk Wolff, Dietmar Schmeer, Peter Oberbillig, Uli Schumacher, Alexander Ortmann, etc. all didn't show despite the fact that there is always a prima race organisation in place. Why no top racers - apart from Kivekäs and Dieter Jens - show at the 5L Summernight Race? I see three main reasons, having nothing to do with the so called "Amish" character of the meeting.
(1) In normal international model car racing one uses since 1985 aggressive motors with strong accelerations. Last venue was the ProSlot PS4000-IMCA, very reliable, and accelerating much faster than e.g. the former Bison Mk3. Mastering perfectly the brutal accelerations by such motors is only given to real top racers. In DSC racing such motors were replaced since the beginning by smooth Fox or Sakatsu motors with slow accelerations. If a top racer has to drive such smooth motors he has no longer any advantage of his driving abilities. He knows that with such slow motors he never will deslot, but the others deslot neither, so the master is at once no longer a top-racer, having to fight on typical home tracks which local racers know much better than him. In the words of Michael Niemas: "For me DSC racing is rail racing with slowish Märklin locomotives never deslotting. So tell me, what I can do there!"
(2) Normal international racing goes always with handout sponge tyres being the same for all entrants. In DSC racing everyone makes his own rubber Wiesel Ortmann tyres. International racers have not the smallest experience with rubber tyres, they don't know how to treat them. Going to Neumünster is for them entering an unknown world where everything is else than on other places in the world. Even the track (5 lanes) is something they never see somewhere else.
(3) International attendance at races as the 5L Summernight event should be a lot higher if DSC racers did an effort to show ALSO at international races as the DPM, EPM, DKPM, IMCA, Panamericans, etc. That principle of mutuality - racing at least once under DSC rules and once under international rules - doesn't exist. DSC racers know that they have no winning chances in big international events, thus they stay home. International racers know that they have no winning chances in DSC racing, thus they stay home either. The biggest handicap in all this is that one needs at least two complete different chassis, with a complete different chassis, if one wishes to do DSC racing as well as IMCA racing. In international racing the PlaFit SLP chassis - for next year the SLP 02 - and the Metris Mk3 chassis are THE chassis one needs if one wants to win. Those chassis, however, are not made for small old-timer bodies as the Ferrari 512 or the Porsche 917. Here one needs the new MoMo MP or the Schöler Striker 5513D, chassis not working properly in IMCA racing. Take the car Kai Kivekäs built for the 2008 IMCA Endurance Worlds, a nearly perfectly tuned MoMo. At a technical track as Michel Thoumieu's MTT that chassis didn't work. Kai and Piki finished only fourth. Their car was continuously dominated by three others with a PlaFit SLP chassis.
So what could be the solution to make the 5L Summernight race more popular? It's quite simple: let the best DSC racers invite a top IMCA racer as team mate, just as Parke did with Kivekäs. Result will be: more nations at the start, better racers, and closer combat among the top-teams. I think that such solution is the best for all racers. [JPVR] NOTE: The IOC-list (International Overall Classification) was updated.

EEC 2008 FINAL STANDINGS AFTER 3 ROUNDS - May 25, 2008 (IOC-EVENT LEVEL 2)

KAI KIVEKÄS/HENRI ESKMAN EUROPEAN CHAMPION

Citation Cup to Remco van Waaij despite great show by Chris Bunenberg

Kai Kivekäs and Henri Eskman are the 2008 European Champions in Endurance Racing. We hope to see them back in 2009 to defend their title with LMS cars. Michael Niemas seems on his way to be the Raymond Poulidor of model car racing. He finished second. Team mate Philipp Kremer - absent at #2 - finished seventh OA.

Kristof Huys and Björn van Campenhout - taking profit of less concurrence in GT2 - finished third OA. Curious to see what they can realise in 2009 with LMS cars? Remco van Waaij was the best at the Citation Cup. Here we see him with team mate Gert Klinge.

June 4, 2008 - Organising a European Endurance Championship was my idea. The execution of the idea was left in hands of Tamar Nelwan. Neither the idea nor the execution were good. I explain.
THE IDEA - The idea was wrong for several reasons. (1) The idea was only workable if there should have been an equal number of cars, both in GT1 as in GT2. Now there were not enough cars in GT2, resulting in an unrealistic final standing. The lack of competition in GT2 showed favour to the GT2 racers above the GT1 racers.
(2) It was a big error that the differences between the Maseratis MC12 and the other cars could be undo by weight sanctions. The PS4000-IMCA motor is so strong that weight corrections missed their goal. Cars with an overweight were faster instead of slower. Cars with a smaller spur (e.g. Seif's car or Niemas's car) were faster than cars with a wider spur. (3) The inequality among the cars was much too big to ensure a fair competition. The Aston Martins DBR9 were tremendously handicapped, just as the Corvettes (I mean, if built by normal people, not by such a wizards as the Plastikquäler). (4) My original idea to let 32 cars be raced (16 in GT1 and 16 in GT2) was ridiculous. It's not workable. Fortunately Tamar could convince me to reduce the entry to 24 cars per race
THE EXECUTION - The execution was not good. Sure, Tamar Nelwan did a great and very ungrateful job. But I forgot the main point, i.e. that Tamar Nelwan is a great admirer of Denis Diderot (1713-1784). Just as was the case for the French philosopher Tamar's highest pleasure is to write encyclopaedias. As organiser he transformed IMCA's art. 7, published a new one on his own web site, changed dozens of details. The issue was a pearl of an encyclopaedia, theoretically perfect. But completely unworkable. Tamar is too creative, too enthusiast to be just an executor. He wishes to control everything, wasting lots of time.

In 2009 the EEC cannot continue with too unequal FIA GT cars. A switch to LMS cars is an absolute must. All those cars have exactly the same width and nearly exactly the same height. There is no longer a difference between LMP1 and LMP2 cars, so the attribution of points can be restricted to the 10 best finishers overall. Since it cannot be exclusively top-racers at the start the Citation Cup should be maintained, but no longer for racers having collected less than 10 IOC-points, but for racers having collected 25 or less IOC-points. Already 23 racers subscribed for the EEC 2009. We hope that Kai Kivekäs and Henri Eskmbrd their title in 2009, but also to find Ralph Seif and Alexander Ortmann at the start, just as Remco van Waaij, Norman Grund, Jan Uhlig, Sebastien Nockermann,  Børge Haug, Glenn Wennerberg, Chris Bunenberg, Ingo Mango, Mike Wagner, Mark Sander, Henrik Hasager, Paal Hanson (!), Jürgen Stüdemann, Gert Klinge, Oscar Hernandez, etc, etc. Subscriptions are open until the end of 2008. More... The EEC 2009 will again go over 3 meetings (Herentals, Oslo, Alsdorf) during the first half of 2009. No meeting will last longer than 12 hours. 16 cars will be allowed at the start in Herentals, 18 at the start in Oslo and Alsdorf. It's possible to subscribe for only one event (but only for Oslo and Alsdorf, with a maximum of 6 racers. Minimum racers per car is restricted to 2, maximum to 3. Technical rules can be found under art.

FINAL STANDINGS EEC 2008

1. Kai Kivekäs (SF)/Henri Eskman (SF) #50 Ferrari F430 GT2 64 pts
2. Michael Niemas (D) #11 Maserati MC12 59 pts
3. Kristof Huys (B)/Björn van Campenhout (B) #52 Ferrari F430 GT2 41.5 pts
4. Nick de Wachter (NL)/Emily Kuipers (NL) #1 Maserati MC12 41 pts
5. Norman Grund (D) #11 Maserati, #99 Porsche 40 pts
6. Roy Bråten (N) #99 Porsche, #53 F430 GT2 38 pts
7. Philipp Kremer (D) #11 Maserati MC12 37 pts
8. Tamar Nelwan (NL)/Gabriel Inäbnit (CH) #28 Lambo Murciélago R-GT 30 pts
9. Christoph Kremer (D) #7 Lambo, #99 Porsche 997 24.5 pts
10. Rolf K. Andersen (N) #53 Ferrari F430 GT2 24 pts
11 ex. Marcel Oosterling(NL)/Henri van Gool(NL) #15 Maserati MC12 22 pts
11 ex. R.Seif (D)/J.Uhlig(D)/S Nockermann (D) #5 Corvette C6R 22pts
13 Børge Haug (N)/Glenn Wennerberg (N) #16 Maserati MC12 20 pts
14 ex. Tom Solberg (N)/Kai Tørgvær (N) #99 Porsche 997 GT3-RSR 16 pts
14 ex. Dirk Baele (B)/Gerry de Rpeck (B) #97 Porsche 997 GT3-RSR 16 pts
16. Peter Krogstie (N) #53 Ferrari F430 GT2 14 pts
17 ex. Wim Kloppenburg(NL)/Onno Griepink(NL) #4 Corvette C5R 12 pts
17 ex. René Andersen(DK)/Olivier Andersen(DK) #62 Ferrari F430 GT2 12 pts
19. Fola Osu (NIG)/Stephan Baudach (D) #33 Aston Martin DBR9 11 pts
20. Henrik Hasager (DK)/Gorm Nørgaard (DK) #63 Ferrari F430 GT2 10.5 pts
21. Günther Riehl (D) #7 Lambo Murciélago R-GT 8.5 pts
22 ex. Gert Klinge (B)/Remco van Waaij (NL) #12 Maserati MC12 8 pts
22 ex. Morten Hagen (N)/Rune Ytterdahl (N) #97 Porsche 997 GT3-RSR 8 pts
22 ex. Nando Corral (B)/Louise Valkenborgh(B) #76 Porsche 997 GT3-RSR 8 pts
25 ex. Christer Bunström (S)/Leif Nilsson (S) #74 Porsche 997 GT3-RSR 6 pts
25 ex. Armin Reichelt (B) #2 Maserati MC12 6 pts
25 ex. Chris Bunenberg (D)/Ingo Mango (D) #22 Aston Martin DBR9 6 pts
28 ex. Jøstein Vandås (N)/John Øystein Andersen (N) #51 Ferrari F430 GT2 2 pts
28 ex. Frank Schüler (D) #7 Lambo Murciélago R-GT 2 pts
30. Michel van Bernheim (D) [10th] #22 Aston Martin DBR9 0 pts
31. Kr. Høttran (N)/Fr.Rødahl (N) [11th] #19 Corvette C6R 0 pts
32. Ph Laudet(B)/Ph Destrée(B) [12th,13th,14th] #3 Corvette C6R 0 pts
33. Mark Sander (DK) [13th, 16th, 18th] #36 Aston Martin DBR9 0 pts
34. Francesc Reyes(E)/A. Sarabia(E) [15th] #5 Corvette C6R 0 pts
35. Peter Kristiansen (DK) [16th] #36 Aston Martin DBR9 0 pts
36. Jürgen Stüdemann (D) [17th] #33 Aston Martin DBR9 0 pts
37. O.Hernandez(VEN)/Andy Flitz(D) [18th, 19th] #23 Aston Martin DBR9 0 pts
38. Pål Hanson (N) [18th] #36 Aston Martin DBR9 0 pts
39. Stefan Kuhn(D)/Marcel Kühn(D) [19th] #18 Corvette C5R 0 pts
40. Robert Massart [22nd] #2 Maserati MC12 0 pts
41. Hubert Jacob (F) [disqualified] #2 Maserati MC12 DISQ

STATISTICS - In total 65 racers of 13 different nations entered the EEC 2008. They used 33 different cars, especially built for the Series. Of the 65 entrants 27 racers could win points for the Citation Cup. Before the start of the last round Hubert Jacob was in an excellent position to win the Citation Cup, but he lost it all by his stupid reaction during the night. He looses all collected points, both at the Citation Cup as at the overall EEC Ranking. Remco van Waaij won the Citation Cup, thanks to very regular and consistent racing. At Alsdorf he could finish just behind Chris Bunenberg enough to hold him off for winning the Citation Cup.

Kivekäs/Eskman won the EEC 2008 with a MoMo SW04 chassis, ahead of a majority of racers using the PlaFit SLP chassis. Other chassis such as the Schoeler Stryker, the M-Racing C1 and the Slotvision were not competitive. Kivekäs/Eskman won the 2008 series not only by being so wise to avoid the murdering competition in GT1 but also because the two of them are EXCELLENT racers. At Merlijn they were even leading all GT1 cars until the three last segments. Michael Niemas was until the end of the first Day Section at Alsdorf a very serious candidate to win the title, but he had twice back luck. A first time since his tactic plan failed: the Grund/Kremer Porsche 997 was unable to beat the Kivekäs/Eskman F430 GT2. From the other side no one expected that Seif & Co could win the last round with a brand new car having never raced before. Nick de Wachter/Emily Kuipers slightly disappointed, being at no moment out on the lead. In the overall standings they are headed by Kristof Huys/Björn van Campenhout, taking profit of the lack of though competition in GT2.

Five racers won a € 500 entry ticket for the Publiapplic pagoda during the 2008 Spa race. Unable to show Kivekäs and Eskman offered their ticket to the youngest Alsdorf racer (and his dad). Remco van Waaij offered his ticket to team mate Gert Klinge. So Niemas was the only winner holding the ticket for himself. [JPVR]

FINAL STANDINGS CITATION CUP
1. Remco van Waaij (NL) 42 pts
2. Chris Bunnenberg (D) 36 pts
3  Onno Griepink (NL) 32 pts
4. Armin Reichelt (B) 23 pts
5 ex. Philippe Laudet (B) 22 pts
5 ex. Philippe Destrée (B) 22 pts
7 ex. Henri Eskman (SF)* 20 pts
7 ex. Frank Schüler (D) 20 pts
7 ex. Ingo Magon (D) 20 pts
10. Michael van Bernhem (D) 16 pts
11. Rolf K. Andersen (N) 12 pts
12 ex. Kristian Hottran (N) 10 pts
12 ex. Frank Rødahl (N) 10 pts
14. Mark Sander (DK) 9 pts
15. Peter Krogstie (N) 9 pts
16 ex. Tom Solberg (N) 6 pts
16 ex. Kai Tørgvær (N) 4 pts
16 ex. Peter Kristiansen (DK) 4 pts
16 ex. Andy Flitz (D) 4 pts
20. Gorm Nørgaard (DK) 3 pts
21 ex. Stephan Kuhn (D) 2 pts
21 ex. Marcel Kuhn (D) 2 pts
23 ex. Louise Valkenborg (B) 1 pt
23 ex. Fernando Corral (B) 1 pt
25 ex. René Andersen (DK) 0 pts
25 ex. Olivier Andersen(DK) 0 pts
27. Urbain Jacob (F) DISQ

EEC 2008 Rnd #3 - SPA 24 HOURS,  ALSDORF (D) - May 23-25, 2008 (IOC-RACE LEVEL 2)

SEIF/NÖCKERMANN/UHLIG WIN ON CORVETTE C6R

Best EEC 2008 Meeting - Niemas's GT2 trick fails - Kivekäs/Eskman win GT2
Jan Uhlig, Ralph Seif and Peter Nockermann won EEC #3 at Alsdorf. They are con-gratulated by EEC organiser Tamar Nelwan. In the background JPVR and Willem Kloppenburg. Henri Eskman and Kai Kivekäs won for the third consecutive time the GT2 class. At the EEC Henri Eskman won 75 IOC-points. Never before a rookie won that many points. Best all-time rookie before Eskman was Gilles Dohogne who collected 57.5 pts in 2003.
Nick de Wachter, Ralph Seif, Gabriel Inäbnit, Philipp Kremer, Kai Kivekäs and Henri van Gool are ready for the last section. Emily Kuipers is watching.
 The winning car was built in six days time by wizard Sebastien Nockermann; The car TQ-ed and was leading the race from start to finish. It was the first IMCA entry of the famous Plastikquäler Team.

June 4, 2008 - The last round of the EEC 2008 was undoubtedly the best of the three. Organiser Tamar Nelwan did great efforts to create a typical Spa atmosphere. During the night section there was even a fog machine. Location was excellent, as always, with plenty of room for all racers.

THE ENTRY - Of the announced 24 cars two were missing, nl. the #62 Scuderia Ecosse Ferrari F430 GT2 of René and Olivier Andersen and the #74 Ebro Porsche 997 GT3-RSR of the Swedes Christer Bunström and Leif Nilsson. Or better: the cars were in place, but the racers didn't show.  A last minute entry was that of the Plastikquäler Team with Ralph Seif, Jan Uhlig and Sebastien Nöckermann. They came with the #5 Carsport Corvette C6R, a car which originally should have been driven by Francesc Reyes. Unfortunately he retired from competition after EEC #1 and the car was not seen at Merlijn for EEC #2. André Colson and Armin Reichelt, scheduled on the #51 Motorola Ferrari F430 GT2 didn't show. Two new cars were found at the start: the #76 IMSA Matmut Porsche 997 GT3-RSR for Fernando Corral/Louise Valkenburg and the #99 Tech9 Porsche 997 GT3-RSR (initially scheduled for Hugo and Desmond Dekker), but now surprisingly driven by Christoph Kremer/Norman Grund. That was a good trick of Michael Niemas, being at the start of the race only one point behind Kai Kivekäs/Henri Eskman. If the #99 Porsche 997 could beat the #50 Motorola F430 GT2 of the Finns, not they, but Michael Niemas could win the EEC 2008 Series! Eventually 22 cars showed for the last round: 16 in GT1 and (only) 6 in GT2. Since the car of Kumpen/Longhin - main sponsors of the EEC 2008 - was in the wrong colours, and since both the Scuderia Ecosse F430 GT2 and the #74 Ebro Porsche 997 GT3 were there without racers, all hope to recuperate a part of the initial sponsoring money was no longer allowed. Tamar really did what he could, but if the racers don't respect their given word, a conditional sponsoring contract is of not the smallest value.

QUALIFICATIONS - Since Niemas/Philipp Kremer had to start with a 0.6 ohm restrictor (as they won EEC #2) and since De Wachter/Kuipers were free from restrictor (as they finished only 4th in GT1 at EEC #2) everybody expected that Nick de Wachter should realise the pole. His 8"935 was a sharp time, sharper than the 9"023 of Marcel Oosterling (also free from restrictor), but Philipp Kremer showed why he's world champion by realising, despite the restrictor, a better time than De Wachter:8"898. But then came Sebastian Nockermann - having won already this year the German SLP Series. Indeed, with a brand new car, never raced before, he clocked the best time: 8"739. Spur of his car was ... 10 mm less than that of the Maseratis MC12, proving that the whole "weight calculator" is no more than an illusion on a track as Alsdorf's. Moreover so much time was lost at the technical control by adapting the weight corrections as given by the weight calculator, that after some cars it was commonly decided to forget that unworkable rule for all cars. [Correction on the Plastikquäler car - Sebastian Schulz mailed me: "Teamchef of Plastikquäler is Sebastian Nockemann. For Alsdorf he built, like normal, the car for the team. In Alsdorf he drive the best Qualification time. On Friday Nockemann and Uhlig made the setup. Ralph Seif showed only on saturday for driving."]

After all qualification runs for GT1 cars order was: #5 Corvette (Seif & Co), #11 Maserati (Niemas/P. Kremer), #1 Maserati (De Wachter/Kuipers), #28 Lambo (Nelwan/Inäbnit), #15 Maserati (Oosterling/Van Gool) and #22 Aston Martin (Bunenberg/Mango). Fola Osu disappointed again by realising only the 8th best time in GT1 and missing the highest heat.
In GT2 the Niemas trick seemed to work: Christoph Kremer/Norman Grund were with their 9"017 faster than Kivekäs/Eskman (with restrictor!) in 9"103. Third in GT2 were Kristof Huys/Björn van Campenhout (with restrictor) in 9"369 (too slow to realise the second best heat for cars having qualified from 7th to 12th).

THE RACE - At the qualifications Niemas won one bonus point (by qualifying as second in GT1), just as Kivekäs/Eskman (by qualifying as second in GT2). That means that at the start of the race difference between them was always one point.  At the end of section #1 (the first day section) Kivekäs/Eskman, having started in heat 2, succeeded to realise more laps than Grund/Chr. Kremer, having started in heat 1 (with the 5th best time overall), what resulted in a radical switch of the situation; now the F430 GT2 of the Finns could move into the highest heat for the Night Section, whilst the German Porsche 997 of Grund/Kremer dropped into heat 2 for the night section. Especially for Niemas/Philipp Kremer that was a sad situation, since their plan failed. Moreover their Maserati missed (due to the restrictor) enough speed to follow the Plastikquäler Corvette C6R setting the pace.  
For two cars Day Section 1 was disastrous. The #7 Lambo of Riehl/Schüler suffered from transmission problems, so that they lost their place in heat 2 for the Night Section. Even worse was the situation for the Jetalliance Aston Martin of Fola Osu and Jürgen Stüdemann, victim of all kinds of woes and dropping in heat 3 for the Night Section. During that Night Section the lights were not working properly due to a braids problem, and the car lost even more ranks, being more in the pits than on the track. It seems as if Fola builds his car always in a hurry, neglecting small details with big consequences. The same was remarked by "Piki" testing a Fola F430 Challenge for the Worlds. In less than 100 laps the motor came off, then the pinion came off, then some inner parts came off: if such would happen at the 20th Worlds the race should already lost before the start. So keep it cool, Fola! He builds beautiful cars, but his biggest problem is that he's already thinking on a new car to build before the first is good and well finished.
The troubles of Fola made that Kristof Huys/Björn van Campenhout could move into heat 2 for the Night Section what gave them outsight on a 3rd OA in the EEC 2008 (if they could maintain that position after the night). During the night there was a painful incident among Hubert Jacob and race director Jean-Marie Tillen. When the last maintained that Jacob's car started without its 4 wheel inserts (what was NOT the truth) the hot boiled Jacob lost control over his nerves and committed grave manual violence. Since it was night, with most racers sleeping, Jacob was not immediately sanctioned. After the race I contacted Raymond van Campenhout, Tamar Nelwan, Jean-Marie Tillen and Bob Demeyer what to do with Jacob. Tillen wished to forget the incident after Jacob apologised for his violent behaviour. The others were thinking on a suspension from all IMCA racing until the end of the year.
After IMCA Worlds on July 25, when I'll lay down all my IMCA functions, the final decision should then be in hands of my successor, Mark Campbell. I wished to avoid that he had to take the difficult decision what to do with Jacob, and I found the correct sanction myself, explained on another place.
Once it became obvious that Niemas/Kremer could not win from the Plastikquäler (Seif Uhlig and Nockermann) ànd that Kivekas/Eskman were stronger than Grund/Kremer in GT2, all suspense was gone. The only undecided point was who should win the Citation Cup. Indeed Chris Bunenberg/Ingo Mango had a great race, ensuring Chris that his total of points for the Citation Cup should rise from 14 to 34. That implied that Remco van Waaij should stay ahead over Onno Griepink, Laudet/Destrée and Frank Schüler if he wished to win the Cup. Well helped by Gert Klinge his Sarafree Maserati - struggling the whole race with the Maserati of Haug/Wennerberg - could stay ahead over Griepinks Corvette, Schüler's Lambo and the Laudet/Destrée Corvette.
Eventually nothing changed during the Second Day Section (a shortened one), and Seif/Nockermann/Uhlig had an easy win over Niemas/Ph. Kremer and De Wachter/Emily Kuipers. In GT2 Kivekäs/Eskman were 19 laps faster than Norman Grund/Chr. Kremer and 134 than Huys/van Campenhout. At the prize diving Tamar Nelwan broke all records, letting it take nearly the complete time of the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, before it came to an end. When everybody had received their trophies the GP was indeed already finished. [JPVR]

racers

 GT1/GT2

qualifications

car

chassis

 laps EEC IOC
1. Ralph Seif (D)/Jan Uhlig (D)/Sebastian Nockermann 1st GT1 8"739 (1st GT1) #5 Carsport Corvette C6R PlaFit SLP 1550.41 22 pts 20
2. Michael Niemas (D)/Philipp Kremer (D) 2nd GT1 8"898 (2nd GT1) #11 Sarafree Maserati MC12 PlaFit SLP 1531.96 17 pts 9
3. Nick de Wachter (NL)/Emily Kuipers (NL) 3rd GT1 8"935 (3rd GT1) #1 Vitaphone Maserati MC12 PlaFit SLP 1519.40 12.5 pts 6
4. Marcel Oosterling (NL)/Henri van Gool(NL) 4th GT1 9"023 (5th GT1) #15 JMB Racing Maserati MC12 PlaFit SLP 1511.97 10 pts 2
5. Tamar Nelwan (NL)/Gabriel Inâbnit (CH) 5th GT1 9"012 (4th GT1) #28 Lamborghini Murcielago R-GT PlaFit SLP 3° angle 1488.99 8 pts -
6. Kai Kivekäs (SF)/Henri Eskman (SF) 1st GT2 9"103 (2nd GT2) #50 AF Corse Ferrari F430 GT2 MoMo SW04 1486.35 21 pts 15
7. Chris Bunnenberg (D)n/Ingo Magon (D)n 6th GT1 9"105 (6th GT1) #22 BMS Italia Aston Martin DBR9 PlaFit SLP 3° angle 1474.66 6 pts -
8. Christoph Kremer (D)/Norman Grund (D) 2nd GT2 9"017 (1st GT2) #99Tech9 Porsche 997 GT3-RSR PlaFit SLP 3° angle 1467.21 18 pts 12
9. Børge Haug (N)/Glenn Wennerberg (N) 7th GT1 9"325 (10th GT1) #16 JMB Racing Maserati MC12 PlaFit SLP 3° angle 1422.96 4 pts -
10. Remco van Waaij (NL)n/Gert Klinge (B) 8th GT1 9"204 (7th GT1) #12 Sarafree Maserati MC12 PlaFit SLP 3° angle 1396.40 2 pts -
11. Wim Kloppenburg (NL)/Onno Griepinkn(NL) 9th GT1 9"302 (9th GT1) #4 PK Racing Corvette C5R PlaFit SLP 1395.35 0 pts -
12. Kristof Huys (B)/Bj van Campenhout (B) 3rd GT2 9"369 (3rd GT2) #52 Edil Cris Ferrari F430 GT2 PlaFit SLP 1373.24 12.5 pts 3
13. Günther Riehl (D)/Frank Schüler (D)n 10th GT1 9"347 (11th G1) #7 Amm-Inkl.com Lambo Murciélago PlaFit SLP 3° angle 1352.34 0 pts -
14. Philippe Laudet (B)n/Philippe Destrée (B)n 11th GT1 9"574 (12th GT1) #3 Luc Alphand Corvette C6R PlaFit SLP 1342.94 0pts -
15. Rolf Andersenn/Roy Bråten (N) 4th GT2 9"632 (4th GT2) #53 Edil Cris Ferrari F430 GT2 PlaFit SLP 1332.71 10 pts 1
16. Peter Krisiansen(DK)n/Mark Sander (DK)n 12th GT1 9"642 (15th GT1) #36 Jetalliance Aston Martin DBR9 M-Racing-C1 1332.35 0 pts -
17. Fola Osu (NIG)/Jürgen Stüdemann (D) 13th GT1 9"246 (8th GT1) #33 Jetalliance Aston Martin DBR9 PlaFit SLP 3° angle 1322.87 0 pts -
18. Oscar Hernandez (VEN)/Andy Flitz (D)n 14th GT1 9"595 (14th GT1) #23 BMS Italia Aston Martin DBR9 PlaFit SLP 1319.48 0 pts -
19. Stefan Kuhn(D)n/Marcel Kuhn (D)n 15th GT1 9"589 (13th GT1) #18 S.R.T. Corvette C5R PlaFit SLP 3° angle 1273.25 0 pts -
20. Fernando Corraln (B)/Louise Valkenborgh (B)n 5th GT2 10"245 (6th GT2) #76 IMSA Performance Porsche 997 Schoeler Stiyker 1242.82 8 pts -
21. Dirk Baele (B)n/Gerry de Roeck (B)n 4th GT2 9"949 (5th GT2) #97 BMS Italia Porsche 997 GT3-RSR Slotvision Mk2 1155.85 6 pts -
DISQ Hubert Jacobn (F)/Robert Massart (B)n 16th GT1 9"849 16th GT1) #2 Vitaphone Maserati MC12 Schoeler Stiyker DISQ 0 pts -
EPC 2008 Rnd #2 - 10th DPM,  ERZHAUSEN (D) - May 1-3, 2008 (IOC-RACE LEVEL 1)

R.SEIF/A.ORTMANN/CAROLINE SCHNITZLER ONCE MORE

Top Success: 192 racers spread over 64 teams at the start! Upgraded to level 1.

May 3, 2008 - The 10th edition of the DPM was a splendid success story. Indeed no less than 192 racers from at least 12 different countries came at the start. Apart from a majority of German racers we ,noted 21 racers from Spain, 3 from the USA, 3 from Canada, 3 from France, 3 from Switzerland, 3 from Italy, 3 from Denmark, 3 from Japan, 3 from Austria, and single racers from Holland and Luxembourg. Of those 64 teams 24 had to contest the semi-finals, giving the 8 first the right to enter the eventual race with 48 teams.

Racers having not survived the Semis could have among them a kind of consolation race on a wooden four laner.

New for 2008 was that the race could easily be followed at the internet with the so-called Slot Race Life Ticker. If we are well informed this system was introduced by Keld Høfler of Racefun from Denmark. The system lets see each x minutes the computer screen with the standings after each segment of each heat. In Germany some-one added short comments - both in German ànd English - so that the spectator was always well-informed about the reasons why some teams lost at once one or more laps. This very interesting system is still highly unknown among slot-racers, since at no moment there were more than 92 viewers. Nevertheless it should be interesting to use that system at the upcoming 20th IMCA Worlds.  We should contact Keld Høfler for more info. It could also be used at round #3 of the EEC 2008. Here Tamar Nelwan already contacted Racefun Danmark.


SEMI FINALS
 Of the 8 teams surviving the Semi-Finals the winning team of dr. Slot will later finish the race in 11th position. Kraner 2, who finished 4th at the Semis, will finish the race as 16th OA. L.E. Slot, having finished 6th at the Semis will finish eventually 21st overall, ahead over NASCAR having finished 2nd at the Semis. Franken 1, having finished the Semis as 3rd will be 24th OA. Of the others no team finished among the top-25 O.A.

QUALIFICATIONS
At the DPM the qualifications are extremely important, because they decide in which of the 6 heats a team can start. Ultimate goal, of course, is finishing among the top-8. Foreign teams coming from the USA, Canada, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Denmark, Japan and Austria were free of the Semis. So everybody was curious how well they could perform at the Qualifications.  However, it became obvious that none of those teams, except for the several Spanish, was a potential contender on winning the eventual race. Very disappointing was the result of the Japanese team. Last year a Japanese team still finished as runner-up with Koudu Nobuhisha, Katsnori Sekine and Hideaki Suzuki (having finished in 2006 already 5th OA). The 2008 Japanese team was certainly not so professional as the previous years, since they finished 48th on 48 in 11"891. The USA, France and Austria did hardly better, since they qualified res. as 46th, 45th and 44th. Switzerland, Italy and Canada (with Mark Campbell!) did slightly better, qualifying res. as 38th, 37th and 35th. Only the Danish (with Keld Høfler and young Christian Høfler) was competitive, qualifying as 25th in 8"053. Disappointing was the team of Nick de Wachter (SG Stern): they qualified as low as 27th.
Disappointing to was the time realised by Manfred and Oliver Stork, finishing with 8"084 as 29th, being condemned to start in the third lowest heat.
Top qualifiers were Michael Niemas/Philipp Kremer/Christoph Kremer (Bad Boys). Of them Niemas won already three times the DPM. They realised an extremely sharp time of 7"600. Second qualifiers were Sebastian Nockermann/Jan Uhlig/Lucas Neumann of the Plastiquäler team in 7"609, followed by Kevin Krollmann/Martin Bartelmes/Peter Oberbillig (No Limits) in 7"619. The very young Dr. Slot Juniors, who caused last year a stir by finishing 6th OA, confirmed their brilliant performance. Now they qualified as 4th. It concerns Maximilian Hollenberger/Armin Seldmayr/Tobias Munchenberger of Dr. Slot Juniors.. Among the four other teams having qualified in the top-8 we found (of course) the A.C.R. of Rallph Seif, Alexander Ortmann and Caroline Schnitzler, having already won last year's DPM and this year's DKMP. They qualified as 5th in 7"641. This year there was also a second Plastiquäler team - Plastiquäler 2 with Jochen Fußmann)/Jan Schaffland/Marcel Wondel. At the 2008 DKPM they finished as 6th. Now they qualified as 6th. Biggest surprise at the qualifications came from #51 Bahnmeister (Patrick Brau/Ralf Seldmeyer/Jochen Fußmann). They qualified as 7th, enough to go to the last and fastest heat. The lonely strangers among the top-8 were the Spanish racers of CricCrac with Icker Santos and Roger  Suñe. 

HEATS #4 AND #3
In heat #4 we have a Spanish team (Cursa Sport) and the Danish team of Keld Høfler and Christian Høfler. Interesting too is that we find here three teams having been very unlucky at the qualifications: Nascar Slot Racing of Manfred Stork, X-Rookies of GuRi (Günther Riehl, having won earlier twice the DPM) and SG Stern with Nick de Wachter (NL), winner of five world championships and earlier vice-winner of the DPM. The three remaining teams are locals.
Patrick Meister (Nascar Slot-Racing) is pulling away like a rocket. After 5 minutes in the first segment he has already one lap over Nick de Wachter's team and 5 over GuRi's. At the end of the first segment 94 laps were achieved, a new record. Nick de Wachter is second, 1 lap down. Then follows the Spanish team at 4 laps. GuRi lost 7 laps and is 7th, Keld Høfler of the Danish team 11. Meister improved the track record with a fastest lap in 7"553, better than the pole position time of the Bad Boys. During the second segment Cursa Sport realises 92 laps (just as Stork), moving up into rank 2. SG Stern looses 5 laps in the second segment and is now 3rd. By completing 90 laps the Danish Racefun moves from rank 8 to rank 4. GuRi is in problems and looses again 4 laps. At mid-heat Stork's Nascar Slot-Racing achieved already ... 370 laps, good for 740 in total if they can keep the pace at the same speed. Cursa Sports is always 2nd, but already at 8 laps, AG Stern always 3rd, but now at 15 laps. Danish Racefun (only 85 laps in segment 4) drops in the standings to rank 7, being now 22 laps down.
In front the Storks and Meister still accelerate. X-Rookies with GuRi are now 3rd after 6 segments, 2 laps down to Cursa Sport in rank 2 and 23 to the leaders. During segment 7  X-Rookies loose more than 10 laps in the pits. With one segment to go Nascar Slot-Racing has already 22 laps over Cursa Models and 23 over AG Stern. X-Rookies drops into the last place. This time no GuRi miracle as so often in the past. Eventually Nascar Slot-Racing will achieve 740 laps over the 8 heats, that's only 3 laps less than achieved by the winners last year. They realised a supreme race and several spectators predict that they'll be the final winners. After the 6 heats it becomes obvious that this is ... just not the case They'll be 6th OA. During his final run Patrick Meister realises a new track record in 7"517. Cursa Sport from Spain is 2nd at 26 laps, enough for a 19th rank OA. They are immediately followed by Nick de Wachter's AG Stern, finishing 20th OA  The Danish team, with Keld Høfler as fastest racer, will finish 32nd overall.  
In heat #3 we find 3 Spanish teams at the start: Tim Comarca with Ivan Basas (last year 11th), Slot Terrassa (last year21st with the 2006 world champion Dani "Giesse" Gonzalez) and ALGT Team with Valentin & Israel Gil, last year 35th. During the two first segments L.E. Slot, survivor of the Semis, will lead, to being passed during the 3rd segment by Team Comarca from Spain. They'll hold the lead until the end of the 7th segment. But then they are passed by Kraner Racing Team 2, having achieved (only) 719 laps, 27 less than the Storks & Meister. They'll finish 16th OA, Team Comarca 18th OA, ALGT 25th overall and Slot Terassa 28th overall. With 4 heats gone Nascar Slot-Racing is a strong OA leader with their 740 laps, followed by Mittelrhein with 725 laps and Kramer 2 with 719 laps. Now the big guns will come in action, among them 3 famous Spanish teams, one of them being Marina Alta of the three Checas, having finished 4th OA at this year's DKPM.

HEAT #2
In the one but last heat we find 2 Spanish teams: Marina Alta with the Checas and Tim Abina with Josep Ruiz/Julio Moya/Miguel Cortez. Dr. Slot of Trier, with Martin Bartelmes is fastest away, but will passed during the second segment by Kraner Racing Team of Duisberg, probably with Andreas Laufenberg (the eternal student; nobody seems to know what he's studying). Thomas Nötzel is this year no member of the team since he drove for Kraner 2. During the same second segment Kraner 1 improves the track record with a 7"413. At mid-heat - despite a weak run on lane 5 - they have already achieved 375 laps, 5 more than the Storks & Meister did. They seem on their way to make 750 laps, i.e. 7 more than last year's winners. They have already 7 laps over Dr. Slot and Jäger Team from Saarbrücken (Joahim Welsch/Pierre Stein/Mark Kiefer). Marina Alta of the Checas is 5th at 10 laps, followed 6 laps further by Tim Albina. During the 6th segment KIK Racing (with Dietmar Schmeer) can pass Dr. Slot for the second place. The following segment Jäger Team passes on its turn Dr. Slot. Kraner has now 9 laps over KIK Racing, 14 over Jäger Team and 15 over Dr Slot, with two segments to go. Eventually Kraner will win in a fabulous 747 laps, 4 more than last year's winners. KIK Racing follows at 11 laps. During the last segment Dr Slot succeeded to pass Jâger Team for the third place. The Checas come 3 laps short to take the third place. Eventually they'll finish 13th overall, Tim Abina 17th overall. After the last heat it will appear that 747 laps was not enough for outright victory. Kraner will finish 2nd overall, KIK Racing 9th overall and Dr. Slot 11th overall.

HEAT #1
It's 21h40 (9.40 pm) when the 8 fastest cars align for the final heat. For Bad Boys Michael Niemas will start, for Plastikquäler Lukas Neumann, for No Limits Kevin Krollmann, for Dr. Slot Juniors Maxi Hollenburger, for A.C.R. Ralph Seif himself, for Plastikquäler 2 Jan Schaffland, for Bahnmeister the three-long Patrick Brau and for the Spanish CricCrac team X.X  Bad start for Kevin Krollmann and Ralph Seif, both deslotting a couple of times. After 5 minutes Neumann and Niemas lead the field, followed at 1 lap by Seif, Hollenburger and Krollmann, at 2 laps by the others.



HEATS #6 AND #5
In heat #6 we find the teams of Japan (New Wave), France (Dream CH'Team), Austria (Grenzlandslot) and the USA (Nighthawks). During the  first segment the Japanese loose already 15 laps on Leo Chilli Racing (Frank Schüler/Carsten Starke/Bernd Starke). At the end of the first segment we find the foreign teams in ranks 4-5-6-8. Leo Chilli Racing, last year still 10th OA with 722 laps - but now victim of qualification woes - takes immediately the lead and will maintain it until the end, winning heat #6 with 711 laps. The Swiss team will finish as third, but 29 laps down to the heat winners.  The Japanese will come 5 laps further in 4th position. The French team will finish 6th of the heat, 59 laps down to the winners. The American team suffered the whole race from a bad set-up (too much grip) and finished as 7th at 61 laps. Later it will appear that Leo Chilli Racing is 23rd OA. The Austrian team will be 41st OA, the Japanese 43rd and the American 46th and the French 48th. Probably the Frenchies lost 30 extra laps due to a too low clearing.
In heat #5 we have the teams of Canada (Canam Queens), Italy (Engage Model Racing), and Switzerland (Slot Connection), together with 5 German teams, of who Piccomat is the best known. Indeed, Picomat is since the mid 1960s a slot-racing shop in Köln. In the mid-1980s I could find there original Cox kits (of the Lotus 40, Chaparral 2D and Ford GT) at unbelievable low prices. Now you pay easily $ 1,000 US or more for such collection items.
The Canadians, with Mark Campbell, took a real bad start, loosing 15 laps during the first segment. In front Mittelrhein (Hans Werner/Peter Juchem/Dirk Wolf), having finished last year 16th, are pulling away up from the start. For the Canadians things go hardly better during the second segment, since they loose again 20 laps. In front of them, at place 7, we find the Italians who already lost 26 laps in two segments. Things go better for the Swiss racers, taking rank 3. Piccomat, with the famous Nascar racer Nezih Durukanli (winner of several rounds at the Manfred Stork races in Kôln) had a hoorible segment on lane 8, making them loosing 18 laps in only two segments. Positions change no more and Mittelrhein wins with 725.04 laps which will be enough for a 15th place overall. The Swiss will finish 4th of the heat, enough to finish 36th overall. The Italians will finish one but last of the heat, finishing 50 laps down to the winners. They will be 44th OA. The poor Canadians are last of the heat, finishing 64 laps down to the winners. They'll finish 45th OA, heading the Americans by 26 laps.

Fastest lap after 5 minutes is for Kevin Krollmann in 7"465 - not enough to improve the race record. During the second half of the first segment he will lower his time into 7"424. ?eumann leads Seif, Niemas, Hollenburger and Krollmann by 1 lap after the first segment. Schaffland follows at 2 laps, the others at 3.
During the second segment Bad Boys (Niemas, Philipp Kremer, Christoph Kremer) take the lead, letting nobody on the lead lap. Dr. Slot Juniors and Plastikquäler follow at 1 lap. CricCrac (7th) and Bahnmeister (8th) are already 8 laps down. During the third segment the Bad Boys, with reigning world champion Philipp Kremer, are lapped twice by Plastikquäler so that Christian Schnitzler is now 2 laps aherad over them and the astonishing very young Dr. Slot Juniors. Caroline Schnitzler of A.C.R. is 4th, but already at 4 laps.
During the 4th segment Christian Schnitzler of Plastikquäler looses his rear spoiler ...and the lead. New leaders are now the unbelievable strong youngsters of Dr. Slot Junior. Philipp Kremer and Christian Schnitzler follow at mid-race at 1 lap, Carolinee Schnitzler is always 4 laps down. During the following segment both Plastikquäler cars loose precious time. The #12 with a broken spoiler, the #57 after a short cut (5 laps lost). Both try to make their come back, improving their best lap times. After 5 segments the #12 is again second, just as Bad Boys and A.C.R. one lap down to the leading Dr. Slot Juniors. No limits follows at 2 laps after having quit the track, falling on the floor, CricCrac at 5.
During segment 6 Ralph Seif of A.C.R. passes all cars, taking the lead. Bad Boys follow at 1 lap, having passed the Dr. Slot Juniors. Nockermann/Christian Schnitzler/Neumann of Plastikquäler are 4th at 2 laps. Final victory will go among those 4 teams and... Kramer Racing with its fabulous 747 laps. CricCrac is 5th, but already at 5 laps. For No Limits chances on victory seem small after their crash. They too are 5laps down.
In the last but one segment A.C.R. Racing holds the lead with 654 laps, 1 lap more than the Bad Boys. But Kraner Racing realised also 653 laps after 7 segments, so that they are still in the top-3 OA. No Limits and Dr. Slot Juniors follow already at 4 laps, CricCrac at 6, the Plastikquäler cars res. at 8 and 10.
Alexander Ortmann - at my opinion the next model car world champion in Herentals! - will do the last segment for A.C.R., Niemas the last segment for Bad Boys. I have no info what happened but 3 minutes later Niemas was at once 5 laps down to Ortmann, having even been passed by Kevin Krollmann of No Limits. No 4th DPM for Niemas thus. Later he'll be involved in a collision with Krollmann's car. Eventually Seif/Ortmann/Caroline Schnitzler are the winners with 2 laps more than Kramer Racing.


BEST INTERNATIONAL RACE ON THE CALENDAR
Although not without a commercial conotation, I consider the DPM as the best organised of all international races. Eventually I see only two things which still can be improved:
(1) It takes always several weeks before the press knows who were the three entrants per team. That implies that it is not possible to publish the eventual results. Below one finds such provisional results. It's not impossible that there are mistakes in the names of the racers, due to the fact that the names of the racers having not been published. That's an easy point to correct for the future.
(2) Foreign racers, having had not enough time to practice, have always problems to realise a good result at the DPM. Perhaps it should be a good idea to add an extra day where non-German teams can practice and do the correct set-up of their cars. Now many teams complain that they had nearly no occasion to do that.

DPM UPGRADED TO IOC-LEVEL "1", i.e. THE HIGHEST LEVEL
 The success of the DPM is so overwhelming that we decided to upgrade the DPM from an IOC level 2 event to an IOC level 1 event. That means that the DPM is up from this year considered as a race with the same high standards of a world championship.Top-8 finishers win now res. 30, 22.5, 18, 13.5, 9, 4.5, 3 and 1.

ts instead of 20, 15, 12, 9, 6, 3, 2, 1 for former editions.
The IOC-list has been updated. Niemas has now 393 points on rank 18, Philipp Kremer 346.5 points on rank 23, Seif 244 (moved from rank 41 to 36), Christoph Kremer 244 (moved from rank 40 to 37), Laufenberg 109 (enters the top-100 after a move from 103 to 87), Krollmann 90.5 (moving from 119 to 101), Ortmann 82 (moving from rank 162 to 109), Christian Schnitzler 73 (moving from rank 130 to 124), Caroline Schnitzler 71.5 (moving from rank 194 to 126), Oberbillig 61.5 (moving from rank 190 to 144), Manfred Stork 56 (moving from 168 to 156), etc. Caroline Schnitzler is now the first female racer on the IOC-list. After her DPM win she passed tthe legendary Corinna Gianotti.
DEFINITIVE RESULTS (ONLY TOP-10 OUT OF 64 TEAMS) More...
Racers Car Laps Qualif IOC pts
1. Ralph Seif (D)/Alexander Ortmann (D)/Caroline Schnitzler (D) #11 A.C.R. Porsche 911 GT1 749.41 laps 7.641 (5th) 30 IOC pts

2. Thomas Nötzel (D)/Andreas Laufenberg(D)/Stefan Bolz (D)

 #14 Kraner Racing Team Porsche 911 GT1 747.19 laps 7.811 (9th) 22.5 IOC pts
3. Kevin Krollmann (D)/Lukas Hoffmann (D)/Peter Oberbillig (D) #16 No Limits Porsche 911 GT1 744.12 laps 7.619 (3rd) 18 IOC pts
4. Philipp Kremer (D)/Michael Niemas (D)/Christoph Kremer (D) #22 Bad Boys Porsche 911 GT1 743.40 laps 7.600 (1st) 13.5 IOC pts
5. Maximilian Hollenberger (D)/Armin Seldmayer (D)/Tobias Munchberger (D) #15 Dr. Slot Juniors Porsche 911 GT1 740.44 laps 7.638 (4th) 9 IOC pts
6. Manfred Stork(D)/Oliver Stork (D)/Patrick Meister (D) #18 NASCAR Slot-Racing Porsche 911 GT 740.34 laps 8.084 (29th) 4.5 IOC pts
7. Sebastian Nockermann(D)/Christian Schnitzler (D)/Lukas Neumann (D) #12 Plastikquäler Porsche 911 GT1 739.37laps 7.609 (2nd) 3 IOC pts
8. Iker Santos (E)/Roger Suñe (E)/Armando Timoneda (E) #13 CricCrac Porsche 911 GT1 739.34 laps 7.784 (8th) 1.5 IOC pts
9. Dietmar Schmeer (D)/Marco Prigl(D)/Christian Eckel (D) #17 KIK Racing Porsche 911 GT1 736.42 laps 7.950 (13th) 0 IOC pts
10. Justin Pasch(D)/Jan Schaffland (D)/Jan Uhlig (D) #57 Plastikquäler 2 734.14 laps 7.727 (6th) 0 IOC pts
       

EEC 2008 Rnd #2 - BRUSSELS 24 HOURS,  WEZEMBEEK-OPPEM (B) - March 29-30, 2008 (IOC-RACE)

NIEMAS/N.GRUND (GT1) & KIVEKÄS/EKSMAN (GT2) WIN

Restrictors half solution for Maserati dominance - PS4000-IMCA not equal

March 31, 2008 - The second round of the EEC 2008 was enjoyable. Although Michael Niemas (D) and Norman Grund (D) had not the smallest problem to win the race, the most stirring result came from Kai Kivekäs (SF)/Henri Eskman (SF) who succeeded to finish second with a 78mm wide Ferrari F430 GT beating - except for one - all those 88 and 89mm wide Maseratis MC12. Another superb result was reached by Willem Kloppenburg (NL) and Onno Griepink (NL) with a 82 mm wide Corvette C6R. They had a horrible start in the first day section, where Onno lost at least 60 laps, struggling with lanes 6 and 8. But during the night section the Corvette won the second place one Ono improved a lot on the three outer lanes. In the morning session the Corvette was leading the session, ahead of Niemas/Grund until the real last section, where Onno had to go to the slow black outer lane. Just before Willem Kloppenburg gave a demonstration when he even moved up into third position overall, letting the Lambo of Tamar Nelwan (NL)/Gabriel Inäbnit (CH) up to six laps behind, with the four last segments to go. At those four we saw a struggle between Onno and Tamar, where despite of Onno's best efforts, Tamar was the strongest. Ono started his four runs with nine laps advance over Niemas/Grund in the morning session. At the end he finished eight laps behind Niemas/Grund, but could conserve his second place in the morning session.
Nick de Wachter disappointed. His Maserati was not really competitive. In the day section, and especially in the night section, there were serious problems with a completely unreliable motor. Initially the motor was so slow that he lost lap after lap nearly a full metre on the straight. And then at once the motor was a real bomb, allowing a fastest lap in 6"301. But some segments later the motor was again unbe-lievable slow. I saw the same thing with the motor of Bunenberg/Van Bernheim. Another motor, the one of Hernandez/Flick, was a pure disaster, failing to work properly during the complete race. For the rest I saw brilliant close racing with Hubert Jacob (F) struggling against Borge Haug (N) during 15 minutes, without the smallest deslotting of both. Another brilliant passus was the fight between Philippe Laudet (with his impossible chassis bought from Napoleon I), Remco van Waaij (NL) and Marcel Oosterling (NL)/Henri van Gool (NL). There was some great racing at Merlijn, and what a pitty that there were only five GT2 cars. Indeed, in GT2 there was no struggle. Kivekäs/Eskman were much too strong, whilst Huys/Van Campenhout were too strong for Andersen/Krogtie/Bråten. Sensatiional was the Porsche of Dirk Baele/Gerry de Roeck, on a Slotvision chassis - a perfect SILENT car - going very fast, but unfortunately assembled five minutes before the race (or was it DURING the race?), thus too unreliable.
Contrarily to what happened in Oslo the new ProSlot PS4000-IMCA motors were a pure disaster. They were unequal in a high degree. Of the 27 motors we received, 8 could not be used, most of them with a blocked armature. That's no serious business, completely unworthy the great reputation of Dan Debella. At any rate I refuse to use such unequal motors at the 2008 Sprint Worlds withy the Ferrari F430 Challenge cars. For those races I'll go back to the old Bison Mk3 motors with closed can, to be raced under 18.5 Volt with a 44/12 gear ratio. At Igarashi one can buy 12 dozens of motors (normally used in the medical sector) with a certificate that they function for 99.50 per cent equally. I cannot organise a fair world championship with such unequal motors. At Merlijn I admired such guys like Oscar Hernandez, Chris Bunenberg, Andy Flitz and Michael van Bernhem that they even accepted to race such fucking shit motor as the one they received. I am 45 years involved in slot-racing, but never ever I saw such a mess of so-called perfectly equal motors. What we received was PURELY A SHAME!

Nevertheless I wish to give my good old friend Dan Debella the credit he normally deserves. For the Endurance World Championship I'll order 48 motors of type PS4000 IMCA, hoping to find at least 16 plus or minus equal. Indeed I'll restrict number of cars to only 16, with 3 racers per car - 8 of them racing 12 continuous hours in GT1 and 8 of them racing 12 continuous hours in GT2. After having lost € 6,500 sponsoring, due to clowns - style Hugo Dekker & Cie - subscribing a half year earlier, and then refusing to show at the real last minute, I wish by all means to recuperate the lost money. The lonely way is to subscribe 16 different € 500 sponsoring contracts with 16 different FIA GT teams anno 2008. It's my intention to let the 8 GT2 bodies anno 2008 by only one specialist [Nick de Wachter] and to let those bodies being raced by 8 teams of 3 drivers being less experienced than the full pros. The 8 2008 GT1 bodies [4 Covettes C6-R, 2 Aston Martins DBR9, 1 Maserati MC12 and 1 Saleen S7R] should be assembled by the professional experts themselves. So, for the Herentals Endurance Worlds I have the following teams in my mind:
#1 Vitaphone Maserati MC12 Børge Haug (N) Glenn Wennerberg (N) Francesc Reyes (E)
#3 SRT Corvette C6-R Ralph Seif (D) Alex Ortmann (D) Christian Schnitzler (D)
#4 PK Carsport Saleen 7R Jozef Miskolci (SVK)