Qualifying underway at ENS Finale
The conclusion of the 2023 Euro Nitro Series takes place at Leno in Italy. Capping off one of the biggest seasons the championship has seen in its 10-year history, another entry of over 140 drivers meant for a lot of track action on Friday.
With two full rounds of Timed Practice and two Qualifying rounds completed, let’s take a look at what happened in Leno…
1/8 Scale
Greiner leads 1/8 Scale but Kurzbuch fights back
Capricorn’s Dominic Greiner sits atop the standings at the end of Friday. Fastest in the Timied Practice ‘seeding’ rounds, the German then led the opening qualifier, pipping Infinity’s Francesco Tironi by three-tenths of a second – this being very much the Italian’s ‘home’ track. In Q2, Simon Kurzbuch fought back after a difficult Q1, taking the top spot by 1.3 seconds over Greiner, with Tironi one second further back in third. Greiner was happy with his day, noting that a few small issues with traffic in each run cost him a “few tenths of a second”, but acknowledged that Kurzbuch was a little quicker than him in the second round. Planning no significant changes overnight, Greiner believes he has a good package to continue to fight tomorrow.
Kurzbuch explained that his issues in Q1 were due to an incorrect engine setting, which was easily rectified for Q2. This being the first race for the Swiss driver with Ielasi Tuned engines, he said him and his team are learning a lot in a short space of time, and hopes to continue building on this tomorrow.
Link to the results on MyRCM: https://www.myrcm.ch/myrcm/report/en/70180/308687
1/10 Scale
Branson ahead on ENS return
Kyle Branson made his return to the ENS this weekend, and was quickly up to speed to put in the best times in seeding, and both Q1 and Q2. Branson, who has driven only one nitro race this year (helpfully for him, at Leno), put his Xray ahead of the already-crowned 2023 champion, Melvin Diekmann. Diekmann sits second overnight, taking his Capricorn to second place in both rounds, with Milan Holthuis third in Q1 and Q to hold third overnight for Infinity.
Link to the results on MyRCM: https://www.myrcm.ch/myrcm/report/en/70180/308685
1/8 +40 Masters
Martinelli ahead of Fagnani
Luca Martinelli sits at the top of the competitive Masters class after Friday, after setting the fastest time in Q1 and second in Q2. Angelo Fangnani is second, the Italian going quickest in Q2. Stefano Solaroli is third, with Lars Haugen rounding out the top four.
Link to the results on MyRCM: https://www.myrcm.ch/myrcm/report/en/70180/308686
1/8 Sport
Wenger Leads Sport Class, as Championship heats up
Martin Wenger put in the best time in Timed Practice, but was pipped to Q1 by Max Hordijk. Wenger fought back to take Q2 after Hordijk hit issues. The fight between these two drivers is really important, as the ultimate winner on Sunday should also be the person who lifts the first ever ENS Sport Class Championship trophy!
Link to the results on MyRCM: https://www.myrcm.ch/myrcm/report/en/70180/308684
You can follow all the results from the event on MyRCM. Saturday will see two further qualifiers, with each driver’s best two results setting the finals grids. Finals will kick off on Saturday afternoon!