ETS Round 2 leads drivers to beautiful Austrian mountain landscape
The ETS is always aiming to race at the greatest tracks and places all around europe – including new tracks from time to time as well. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this was very difficult in the last 2 years. But now, as the situation is more relaxed (hopefully it stays like that), the ETS crew decided to race in Aigen-Schlägl which is a small village in Austria. The local club MAV Aigen-Schlägl owns a great race track and hosted the ENS many times in the past with great success. Now it is time for the ETS to step on stage in Aigen-Schlägl to show the pinnacle of electric 1:10 scale onroad racing to the local crowd!
You will get more detailed information in our “TRACK CHECK” report on Wednesday, right before the event!
Long awaited – the return of Scotty Ernst
It was announced and postponed many times during the last 2 years, but now, Scotty Ernst will finally be back on the microphone in Aigen. The whole ETS family is happy to welcome him back after he wasn`t able to be with us since the 2020 ETS race in Daun (GER), immediateley before the outbreak of the pandemic!
Now, everybody is excited to hear “the most famous voice in RC” again over the speakers and in the live streaming here from ETS RD2 in Aigen, Austria. Some weeks ago, Scotty sent us some words about his return which we like to pass to you once again. He was also posting a video message to the whole ETS family:
891 Days, 127 Weeks, 29 Months.… You are wondering what all those numbers mean…….This is how long it has been since I have been to an ETS all because of the Covid. It is hard to imagine that ETS Daun Feb 2020 was my last event and it has been so difficult for me not being able to be part of our legendary series for so long. Thankfully that will all be changing very soon! We are proud to announce that I will be making my return to the ETS for the July Austria event. I cannot wait to see so many of our friends that we have made over the past 15 seasons and share with all of you the love we have for racing in the ETS. I am excited to bring back my style of commentary, excitement and passion for racing that has helped make the ETS the amazing series it is. So we hope you can make plans to join us for what will be a great event at a beautiful track and together we will go racing “on the sound of the tone!”
Scotty Ernst, ETS
What to expect from drivers and teams at ETS RD2 Season #15 2022/23 in Austria?
One thing is clear – we will see the drivers and teams on a new track for the ETS. Almost nobody from the frequent ETS racers experienced to drive on this track so far, except for a few locals and a few individual drivers who invested some time to practice in Aigen prior to to he event. This is an interesting fact, and we can not point out favourites based on results of the previous ETS seasons. However, we can expect the same strong forces on top of the field as quality always rises up to the top during a race weekend.
Matrix Modified
All eyes on championship leader Prümper and the Yokomo team
When the drivers will arrive in Aigen, the Yokomo team will be in the leading position of the overall Matrix Modified Championship after Yannic Prümper`s win at RD1 in Apeldoorn. It is the first time for Yokomo on top of the board, since their long time ace driver Ronald Völker won the championship in the 2019/2020 campaign before switching teams.
In Apeldoorn, the whole Yokomo team looked very strong and the new BD11 car was on the A-Main grid four times in the hands of Yannic Prümper (race winner), Christopher Krapp (3rd), Nicholas Lee (4th), and Loic Jasmin (6th). A brilliant debut for Yokomo`s new touring car in a very important 2022 with the IFMAR World Championships also taking place in September (Gubbio,Italy).
But for now, it will be exciting how the team will perform at ETS RD2 in Aigen, on a very fast looking track. We asked some of the Yokomo drivers about their expectations ahead of the race in Aigen. Here is what they said:
First of all, I hope that I can make the trip to the race in Aigen. But it will be a last minute decision for me as I have a lot of very important work commitments in the days before, and after the race. Right now I can not confirm my participation, but when I will be in Aigen I expect a great track and some very intense and close fights at high speeds with all the other fast guys. I am very confident because our new BD11 felt super good at the last race and I would like to fight for the win again!
Yannic Prümper, Yokomo/Dash
Prümper`s Teammate, Christopher Krapp, was also on a high in Apeldoorn at ETS RD1 where he finished in third position after some great final runs. He will also make the trip to Aigen, even if he had some stressful days last week with moving into a new house with his girlfriend and his dog! Krapp was the second highest finisher for Yokomo in Apeldoorn, and he is looking forward to the weekend in Aigen while also for him it will be the first time racing there. Our media team had a quick chat with him between all his moving boxes standing in front of a big van:
I am really looking forward to Aigen and have heard a lot of positive things about the track and the hospitality there. Especially because it is a new track in the ETS calendar I am very motivated for the race, of course also because the first race in Apeldoorn went so well for our team and the new Yokomo BD11. I hope we can continue where we left off in Holland and be back on top. I am really looking forward to the weekend in Austria.
Christopher Krapp, Yokomo/Racing Performer
Mugen Seiki`s Völker wants to fight back after Apeldoorn defeat
For Ronald Völker, the race in Apeldoorn went to his favour until the start of the A-Mains. He started from pole position, and had to settle for second overall after some thrilling races with Yokomo`s Prümper and Awesomatix Marc Rheinard. Völker will travel to Aigen highly motivated to fight back, and to walk away from Austria with his first win of the season at best. Especially after a frustrating EFRA european championship event where he suffered from numerous tire failures, we can be sure that Ronald will be on a mission at ETS RD2 in Aigen Austria with his LRP powered MTC2.
I have been first time in Aigen for one day of practice some weeks ago. I was surprised very positive as the track is really great with a perfect layout for racing! It is challenging and enjoyable to drive on, and I can`t wait to start the event and basically enjoy every aspect in Austria!
Ronald Völker, Mugen Seiki/LRP
This time, Mugen Seiki designer and top driver Robert Pietsch will also attend the race after he had to sit out RD1 in the Netherlands. He had one day of track time with Ronald in Aigen a couple of weeks ago, to get a feeling for the surface and to collect some data. With Robert Pietsch attending the race, the team will be even stronger as the car`s designer comes along with the best possible knowledge about all the setup parameters and their effects on track.
Mugen Seiki factory driver Eric Dankel is also on the list of entries for RD2 in Aigen. Eric had a very strong last season, making the A-Main three times in a row backing it up with another strong P8 at the season opener in Apeldoorn. Eric knows the track in Aigen from the ENS races which he attended a couple of times in the past. Something which will play into his favour for sure during the event.
Awesomatix in the hunt with vice-european champion Rheinard
The Awesomatix team travels to Apeldoorn with mixed feelings. Marc Rheinard was very fast at RD1 in Apeldoorn with his A800MMX, but after a super close qualifying and some bad racing luck in the finals he only finished fifth overall. A result which some drivers are dreaming about forever, but only a nightmare if you are a 5 time IFMAR world champion. Rheinard had an even better result at the controversy discussed european championship some weeks ago, with becoming vice european champion in kind of a tire lottery race. We had the chance to get the following statement about ETS RD2 from Marc:
After a disappointing ETS season start in Apeldoorn I am really motivated to fight back for the podium, or better say at least for the win. I was in Aigen one time some years ago. Unfortunateley, it was raining and we didn`t drive that much but it is a super nice facility with an amazing track there and I am really looking forward to have this new venue on our ETS schedule. All I can say is that I am highly motivated and I hope to have a shot for the win!
Marc Rheinard, Awesomatix/Orca
Lucas Urbain from France will also be in competitioin for Awesomatix at RD2 in Aigen. Lucas is one of the best when it comes down to a perfect car preperation, and his driving became even better when he joined Awesomatix some years ago. He will be well prepared as always and he is a driver which Awesomatix always can rely on in case of A-Main quailfications and strong battles in the finals.
Austrian top driver Dominic Vogl made a last minute registration for the race and will be on track with his Awesomatix in Aigen-Schlägl. He had a very strong finish at last season`s finale with a 7th overall in Daun. He will be fully motivated at his home soil and we will have an eye on Dominic who recently became a father – congratulations from the whole ETS family!
Japanese ace Akio Sobue with ETS comeback
The ETS is very happy to see Japanese top driver Akio Sobue coming back to the ETS after a long brake caused by the world wide pandemic. Akio is fast wherever he is racing and we can be sure to see him doing very well in Austria as well. The Japanese driver is now working and racing for Axon, after a succesful stint with Infinity. The Axon car is called Axon TC10/2 and bases on a Yokomo touring car platform. Akio will come to Aigen with his fellow countryman Hayato Ishioka who will also compete in the modified class. Akio was so kind to send us the following statement from Japan:
I’m very happy to come back to an ETS event after a (way too) long time! I am really looking forward to hit the track in Aigen which looks beautiful and big on the pictures. I am ready for the challenge against all the world class drivers in this race. See you on the track soon guys.
Akio Sobue, Axon/Orca
Kaufmann and Gollner on the line for the Xray Team
Patrick Gollner and Marco Kaufmann have both made their entries for the second race of the current ETS season. Great to have at least two very fast Xray drivers at the event while we are still missing the rest of the team around Hagberg and Coelho trackside with us. Kaufmann has shown his speed and potential many times, and also Patrick Gollner is an A-Main approved racer at the Euro Touring Series. It will be exciting to see how they will perform without the support of the “main” team around Martin Hudy and all the others.
Awesomatix Pro Stock
Mächler travels to Austria leading the championship
In the Awesomatix Pro Stock class, Max Mächler is the man on the sunny side of life right now. He is leading the championship after RD1 in Apeldoorn, and he will do his very best to leave Aigen in the same position he arrived. But, however the race will end for Mächler, he can be sure about a strong finish for his Awesomatix team as reigning champion Simon Lauter is in attendence as well. But it`s not only about Mächler and Lauter when we are talking about Awesomatix in the Pro Stock class. Guys like Alex Kunkler, Martin Hofer, Olivier Bultynck, and Frederik Mikkelsen are strong forces in Pro Stock since a very long time and they will try to win the race with their A800MMX cars too.
It is actually the first time that I „lead“ the ETS championship. But honestly its just after one event, so it doesn’t mean that much. I‘m really excited for the upcoming event in Aigen. Finally a new track again in the race calendar! I visited Aigen once for a EWS International race, where we got rained out, but we actually run in super wet conditions which was also super funny. The filed should be very close together on this track, which means exciting race action. Looking forward to see all guys again and enjoy the community feeling. I wish everyone safe travels and see ya soon!
Max Mächler, Awesomatix
Beside the “big” Awesomatix team, the Pro Stock class is fully packed with other real fast drivers. Enrico Jung from Team Yokomo will try to put the new BD11 on an even better position as in Apeldoorn (P11). Xray will have Lukas Ellerbrock, Adam Izsay, David Ehrbar and Stefan Schulz in the mix, while Lars Hoppe is the man on the line for ARC. We also noticed Toni Rheinard on the list of entries – let`s see what he can do coming out of nowhere. Sören Sparbier will wheel the new Serpent Medius X20-23 around the track while his brother Kevin Sparbier will attack the track with his Mugen Seiki MTC2.
But no matter how many drivers we will name here, there are still many others who are waiting for their bright moment at the ETS making it into the A-Main of the Awesomatix Pro Stock class.
Hobbywing Frontwheel
Championship leader Olsen expects a race where “power is the key”
In the Hobbywing Frontwheel class, we are expecting very close racing action on the big and open track in Aigen. One crucial aspect for the drivers will be the power over the complete runtime. A good battery management before the run will be more important than ever to have the maximum amount of “punch” available for the Hobbywing powered FWD cars. Maybe we will also see drivers trying different body shells to find out which one has the lowest amount of downforce without affecting the cars handling too much.
Steven Olsen won the season opener in Apeldoorn and will arrive in Austria as the man to beat. But with reigning champion Stefan Schulz, Torsten Baggendorf, Alexander Stocker, Toni Rheinard, Max Weffers and Kevin Sparbier, there are plenty of fast guys in the hunt for victory and the championship lead. Steven Olsen talked to our media team about his expectations for ETS RD2 in Austria:
As always I am looking forward to race at ETS with the highest level of competision in Europe. But this time I am extra excited as it’s a new track for me, so looking forward to see my pace on the beautiful track in Aigen. The track is big and looks fast so should be close racing, with a focus on good power over 5 minutes!
Steven Olsen, Awesomatix
Orca 17.5 Stock
Reile vs Pöhlmann – or will we see a surprise winner in Aigen?
For some reason, the field of Orca 17.5 Stock racers is very small in Aigen. But nevertheless, everybody will aim for the best possible result in this great ETS racing class with the ORCA 17.5 handout motors. When we are checking the entries, we find two names which we have to highlight as our favourites for the race win – Dominik Reile and Daniel Pöhlmann. Both are very experienced in this class and have won multiple races in the past. Reile was coming out on top at the season opener in the Netherlands, while Daniel Pöhlmann had a tough race finishing only in fifth position. For Pöhlmann a result he likes to improve for sure in Aigen-Schlägl.
Aigen would be the first time for me in the race calendar. From the pictures, the track looks pretty big and I’m looking forward to the weekend.
Dominik Reile, Awesomatix
The toughest competitor for me would be Daniel Pöhlmann. With the nice weather you’re practically forced to go for a ride 🙂 And otherwise I’ll let it come to me – what happens just happens!
Now – as we have created some pressure on Reile and Pöhlmann 🙂 we have to admit that there are other top 3 candidates as well. Michael Koos and Jasmin Donath both had a great race in Apeldoorn, and Tristan Bergheim also showed great potential here and there in the past – he just needs to get it together during a comlete weekend of ETS racing!
ToniSport 40+ Masters
What can Elibert Sievers do on a different track?
The ToniSport 40+ Masters class is once again packed with a lot of experience and talent. All the names like Oehler, Baggendorf, Mateo, Schmitzer, Stankowitz and many others have signed up for RD2 in Austria and we are expecting the best 40+ touring car action in europe again. One driver is traveling to Aigen with a new feeling: Elibert Sievers.
He won the season opener at his home track in Apeldoorn, the same result he achieved in the last season as well. But now, he is leading the championship after the first race and he must deal with the pressure to be the guy everyone wants to beat.
In the winter, Elibert raced one time away from his home track on carpet at the ETS in Neumünster where he finished in the C-Main. But as Elibert told us to be more kind of an asphalt racer we expect him to be stronger in Aigen. Let`s see what he can do there and find out about his expectations:
I am looking forward to ETS Aigen, meeting all racers and the ETS crew again. The facility looks amazing and cant wait to finaly putting some laps down on the fast and flowing track. Hoping to keep the momentum going after Apeldoorn but I also know that the competition wil be pushing hard for results. I am ready, the car is ready, lets have some fun!”
Elibert Sievers, Awesomatix
Scorpion Formula
Championship leader Kölbel looking forward to race in his home country
The Scorpion Formula class will be on the line in Aigen as well at their second ever race on foeam tires. At RD1 in the Netherlands, it was René Kölbel who was able to win his firet ever ETS race in the Formula class – the class that he loves so much! Now he is looking to back that result up with another podium finish or race win in hin home country. Asked about his expectations, René told us:
I was there once to train and it is a great track. I don’t think it’s as big, or too big, as some people have said before. It is a pity that we (ETS) weren’t there earlier.
René Kölbel, Xray
I am very happy that Toni (Rheinard) is starting in the Formula class. I am also fully motivated again with the victory in my luggage. I am looking forward to an exciting race with Toni, Andreas, Herbert and all the others!
But in Aigen there will be more than enough challengers for Kölbel as he will see guys like Herbert Weber, Robin van Gog, Toni Rheinard, Sören Sparbier, Patrik Sadrinna and Chris Grenz trying to step on the podium as well. Let`s see which show the Scorpion Formula class will produce and we wish everybody the best of luck and maximum fun on the track.
Now it is time to go racing!
We will see the first drivers, teams, mechanics, and media team members traveling to Aigen from Wednesday on and we will keep you updated on our Website (ets.racing) and on facebook as always. Our Livestreams will also be there for you as soon as we have prepared everything in Austria. The Track Check report with a short video showing the facility and the track wil be online on Wednesday evening!
(pictures: ETS, Bildwald, RedRC)
