As everybody is looking forward to ETS RdD5 in Hann. Münden (GER), we are presenting another event preview article for you today. This time we took the chance to ask most of the top ranked drivers in every class about their expectations and chances for the overall championship and the racing on carpet. Find out what the drivers told us!
Bjarne Høllund on the microphone
Before we check the all the quotes from the drivers, we like to let you know that Bjarne Høllund will be the announcer in Hann. Münden one more time. As it took the ETS orga team a long time to finally secure a location and date for this ETS race, the race calendar of Scotty Ernst was already fully booked. Scotty tried a lot to shift things around but finally he had his commitments booked ahead of time and can not be with us this upcoming weekend. For the future, the main goal for the ETS is to roll out a complete race calendar (as before Covid) to ensure that Scotty will always be with us at the races. We like to thank Bjarne Hollund in advance for helping us out in Hann. Münden after doing the same in Apeldoorn for us.
What some of the ETS top drivers expect from ETS RD5
Let`s find out what some of the top drivers told ud ahead of the event. Our reporter Patrick Beck contacted most of them in the last days and collected some nice quotes from all championship contenders. Everybody seems to be fully motivated which is kind of a promise for some great ETS racing action at the upcoming weekend.
Matrix Modified
The fight for the championship is wide open and four drivers are still having the chance to win the overall title. Marc Rheinard (Awesomatix), Christopher Krapp (Yokomo), Yannic Prümper (Yokomo), and Ronald Völker (Mugen Seiki) are in the hunt for the title. We also talked to Lucas Urbain (5th overall) who is in a great form as well. The drivers had the following statements for us ahead of ETS RD5:
For the two upcoming ETS indoor races my goal is to get the maximum points out of them. Right now, the fight for the overall title is very close as I am tied on points with Krappi. Also Yannic and Ronald are still in striking distance. I will try all I can to win both races as I really like to win the championship after a long, long time again. It would be a great achievement also for Awesomatix to get the title and the chances are better than ever. I have a really good combo with probably the best car and the best electronics so I will work with the team very closely from the first pack on in Hann. Münden to be on pace. As mentioned before, I want to win this title!
Marc Rheinard (DE), Awesomatix/ Orca
I am extremely excited about the upcoming Indoor season and especially the last two ETS races of this season. Personally, I already had my first indoor practice sessions done and it all looks very promising with the BD11 also performing well indoors. We also got new parts out of Japan specially for Indoor racing which makes me positive to be as competitive as in the last outdoor season. Speaking for Team Yokomo we are sitting very strong in the overall Championship with Yannic in P3 and myself in P2 tie on points with Marc. Most important for us will be to bring the Championship back to the yellow colours! For sure I am doing everything I can personally to win the Championship! It will be a very interesting two final legs of races!
Christopher Krapp (DE), Yokomo/ Racing Performer
I am looking forward to the indoor season, even if I like asphalt racing a lot more. I was racing at the Longwy Winter Series last weekend and was very happy with the pace of our Yokomo BD11 as I was able to make a good progress with the car during the weekend. In the end, my pace (compared to race winner Lucas Urbain and his Awesomatix) was good and I am sure that I can even improve the pace at the next ETS when working together with my team mate Christopher Krapp. We will give our all and try to walk away with a 1-2 for Yokomo form the next race. The overall championship is also still open and I have an eye on that too!
Yannic Prümper (DE), Yokomo, Dash
I am really looking forward to visit a new ETS venue, so quite excited about going to Hann. Münden. I have some good memories from a Keil Champions Club race back in 2006 there which I was able to win. This year it was not the best of summers in terms of results, but we’ll work hard to get back on top to fight for the championship. I am also looking forward to meet up with lots of friends and team members!
Ronald Völker (DE), Mugen Seiki, LRP
My carpet season is off to a good start with a win on home turf at the first round of our very own Winter Series in Longwy. I picked up where I left back in March winning the final round of the EWS meaning the setup work done last season is still paying off right now. With testing indoor being a bit of a challenge currently, given the lack of permanent indoor facilities in my area, it is crucial to know that I can rely on a proven base setup in order keep moving forward. Even though I had a bit of slow start in this ETS season, the win in Luxembourg defnitely put me right back in the chase in the overall Championship while at the same time giving me a much needed confidence boost for the remaining two rounds. The target is to keep aiming for podium finishes to potentially challenge for an overall top 3 finish which while unexpected seems realistic now.
Lucas Urbain (FR), Awesomatix, Orca
Awesomatix Pro Stock
The highly competitive Pro Stock class was in the hands of Awesomatix all season long. In the championship we see a close fight between Max Mächler and reigning champion Simon Lauter. They are tied on points and will battle it out in the last two races of the season. The top 5 of the Awesomatix Pro Stock class told us about their thoughts and plans for the carpet portion of ETS Season #15. Lets check it out!
I can’t wait to be back on carpet for some serious ETS action! I mostly prefer indoor events as the weather doesn’t play such a big role. Looking forward to the 5th round in Hann Münden at a new venue.
Max Mächler (DE), Awesomatix, Sunpadow
All in all, I’m really looking forward to the two indoor races. Hann. Münden as a new venue with many participants will certainly be interesting because no one knows the track conditions. Daun is a classic anyway and from my point of view the ideal end of the season because of the course. Regarding my race preparation, I have to confess that I had withdrawn a bit recently. That means I didn’t do any indoor races, but of course I trained anyway and feel well prepared. After the ETS in Luxembourg, I had already announced that I would take a short break before the indoor season, as the season with the World Championships and ETS has been very intense and exhausting so far. Accordingly, I hope that the rest will bring something for the rest of the season and that I can now attack again. The fight for the ETS title will hopefully be super exciting, I think Max and I are both motivated and I am of course already looking forward to one of us winning the title for the team!
Simon Lauter (DE), Awesomatix, LRP
After some struggles in the outdoor season iIwant to bounce back to the front for the indoor season. I am looking forward to see the team and all the other drivers in Germany again. I wish everybody a safe trip to the ETS.
Olivier Bultynck (BE), Awesomatix, LRP
I am really looking forward to the upcoming ETS indoor races. I missed the last outdoor ETS as testing and development of IRIS started at that time. We have been hard at work. Now the first races are coming as ETS in Hann. Münden will be our first official race with the new brand. Honestly, I cannot wait to be back racing and finally start this journey with IRIS and the future it will hold.
Alex Kunkler (FR), Project IRIS, Ruddog
I’m looking forward to the upcoming indoor races at the ETS as it always brings some exciting and fun races. It is nice to see the big number of people attending the ETS as that will create a great atmosphere and close racing on the track. As always it will be fun to race on the big tracks like the ETS usually is. I expect it will be close racing like previous years and hope I can make the A-main and if possible be at the front half of the A-Main but anything can happen 😊
Frederik Mikkelsen (DK), Awesomatix, LRP
Hobbywing Frontwheel
The championship in the Hobbywing Frontwheel class will see a two-horse race in the remaining two rounds of ETS carpet racing in Hann. Münden and Daun. Reigning champion Stefan Schulz and Steven Olsen are seperated by one point only, and Olsen will do everyhting he can to fight against Schulz for the overall title. The top 5 ranked FWD drivers told us during the last days:
I am super excited for the next 2 races. I have only been able to do a few laps with the new Ride tyres so far as I was preparing for the EWS race in England which took place directly on the weekend before the ETS. Also in the FWD class you have to stay in practice 🙂 That’s why it won’t be easy in any case. I will only drive the FWD class in Hann. Münden and try to secure the series win. I’m an optimistic person by nature and hope for the best possiblöe result for myself and Xray.
Stefan Schulz (DE), Xray, Gens Ace
It has been a challenging season so far, with all the rules changes, and now the new tires. I know ETS only does this to keep the competition fair and level. I have been able to compete at the front end of the field for the last 3 years, and it has not become easier over the years, with so many talented drivers racing FWD. Personally I hope that I can challenge for the win in Hann. Münden to keep my season victory hopes alive. But I know that it will be a huge task with only having had time to do three batteries on the new RIDE tires. Thankfully I have some great friends and teammates helping me get everything out of my equipment. See you next weekend for some fantastic and close racing!
Steven Olsen (DK), Awesomatix, LRP
I’m really looking forward to the ETS in Hann. Münden. Indoor ETS are always an experience and this time even very close to my Home. For me it will generally be a very exciting and demanding indoor season. Outdoors, my Mugen Fronti worked really well, and I’ll try to take the momentum into the next races. The biggest challenge at the race in Hann Münden will be finding the best setup for the new tires, but also learning the Track quickly. It’s usually a little bit harder for me to learn an indoor Track but nonetheless my plan is joining the A Main again. Let’s see if that is possible 🙂
Max Weffers (DE), Mugen Seiki/ Orion
I haven’t had much time in the last few weeks, but luckily my brother has been preparing my FWD and touring car. I will be testing again over the next 4 days and hope to have a good pace at my home race, especially in FWD. I am currently third in the rankings and would like to defend this position until the end of the season, which will certainly not be easy! Before the season final in Daun I think I will spend more time on other tracks. For example, I plan to train in Hasloh for 3 days over New Year’s Eve.
Kevin Sparbier (DE), Mugen Seiki, LRP
I think there will be only limited changes for the upcoming indoor season. One of the most important points will be the new tyre. After some discussions with other drivers, the tyre seems to be very consistent. Furthermore, the driving pattern does not change as much as initially assumed and the tyre can be driven very well right from the start. As in the outdoor season, the same drivers will fight it out among themselves at the front. My goal is to continue to work on the car in order to fight my way back to the front step by step. For the winter season I have a new approach how to set up the car, as I was often on the wrong track at the last races, I think I have understood the Xray X4F now. I am already looking forward to the season and hope that we all have fun on and off the track, even if it doesn’t always work out in the race.
Jacques Libar (LU), Xray, Team Zombie
Orca 17.5 Stock
In the hard fought Orca 17.5 Stock class, it is reigning champion Dominik Reile who will travel to Hann. Münden leading the championship. But as Reile had two tough last races, the competition got closer and closer and Jasmin Donath still has a chance to snatch the title away from Reile if she can win the last two races of the season. Not an easy task for sure, but nothing is impossible in the world of RC racing. Let`s hear from our top drivers:
To be honest, I’m not prepared for the indoor season at all and have to rebuild and prepare my car this week and hope for the best. The indoor saeson is unfortunately not my best friend, I’m more a fan of the outdoor season. But the next 2 races have to go well if I want to have a chance to win the title, because the young wild ones are getting faster and faster. But I’m also looking forward to the races because it can be exciting right to the end and there are still a few more chances to win the title.
Dominik Reile (DE), Awesomatix, LRP
The ETS outdoor season which has now ended was just great for me. It had exciting races and at the same time exciting times with the whole ” ETS Family and my Friends “. What more could I wish for, except: I would like to experience the same fun! Just to have another great time with all of you on and off the track. Of course, I also hope that I can set up my car perfectly with the help from others and then make as less mistakes as possible during the race. Of course, the goal is to maintain or even increase my speed during the next two indoor races. My opponents are all much more experienced on carpet and all are very fast. Nobody is underestimated here and there will be no “larifari attitude” here. I am already trying to start in the best possible way. The other drivers will do the same. It is a real competition after all. As things stand at the moment, my goal is to save a top three overall result in my first full ETS season. And we will do our best for that next week I promise. I am looking forward to seeing you all!
Jasmin Donath (DE) Awesomatix, Gens Ace
I’m definitely looking forward to the upcoming ETS indoor season. Unfortunately, the training opportunities in the south of Germany are not so good. But I am able to practice on the weekend before the ETS to prepare myself well. I am already very excited and even more motivated after my victory in Luxembourg. See you all in Hann. Münden!
Kevin Schmid (DE), Awesomatix, Orca
My goals for the upcoming ETS races are simply to have fun because that is the most important thing for me. Of course, I also want to improve in every aspect, especially in my driving skills and also in wrenching on my car. I am really looking forward to ETS RD5 in Hann. Münden and am ready for the challenge!
Joshua Winkler (DE), Awesomatix, Gens Ace
I’m looking forward to the indoor ETS with anticipation; at both races you live in the direct vicinity of the hall, and these events have a special flair. I am pleased that the ETS crew managed to organise a 3-day event in Hann Münden. I’m expecting 2 batteries of training before the time hunt starts and I am happy to take on the challenge as that is the ETS!
Daniel Pöhlmann (DE), Awesomatix, Gens Ace
The race in Daun is traditionally always very close and competitive, small things decide. I have fond memories of 2018, when I was able to win the race despite starting 3rd. I am highly motivated and hope for the chance to win!
ToniSport 40+ Masters
In the ToniSport 40+ Masters class we are facing an almost similar situation as in Orca 17.5 Stock. Two drivers leading the rest of the field with the best chances of winning the overall title. But will it be Toni Mateo again? Or can Manuel Stankowitz grab the title in the last races from reigning champion Mateo? We talketd to the top 3 in the ranking list ahead of ETS RD5:
I am looking forward to the next ETS to have a good racing weekend and to see my friends again. Regarding the race, it will be very difficult since there is a high level of drivers on the grid for this one. I expect myself to give the best. It is the first race on carpet and therefore it is difficult to know if I we will be able to fight to be on the podium. Manuel (Stankowitz) and Ulrich (Dinger) are very fast, also Caspar (Morgen). And on this occasion there will also be Andreas Myrberg who I expect to be strong. In general, very difficult, but a great challenge as well. See you at the track!
Toni Mateo (ES), Awesomatix, Nosram
After the huge fight with Toni (Mateo) in Luxembourg, I am looking forward to the first indoor race in Hann Münden, as I’m sure many are. After one or two training rounds at the Megadrom in Halsloh, I was able to prepare myself well. The three days in Hann.Münden will be very compact and intense. In our top-4 group, every curb you ride too hard can make the difference between victory or second place. I will not give away the six points that are still to be distributed without a fight 🙂
Manuel Stankowitz (DE), Awesomatix, Orca
After a very positive outdoor season, it’s now time for the last two indoor races of the current ETS season. I have worked a lot on the setup and my driving style and now I hope that I can take the good performance indoors. The first practice days indoors were very promising. It will certainly be very exciting against Toni Mateo and Manuel Stankowitz. Ulrich Dinger will also be a very strong opponent. So it will be no easy task to defend my third place overall. My new combo of Xray X4 ’23 and NOSRAM batteries is going very well on carpet and I am really looking forward to the two upcoming ETS races in Hann. Münden and Daun. These will certainly be two unforgettable events again.
Mirco Thalheimer (DE), Xray, Nosram
Scorpion Formula
In the championship of the Scorpion Formula class, the ranking list is somewhat distorted because Jan Ratheisky has only done two races so far this seaosn. But as he won both, he still has a serious shot (if not the best) to defend his title against Andreas Stiebler and René Kölbel who both took their first ETS race wins during this season. The Formula drivers with the best chances for the championship told us:
I’m really looking forward to the upcoming indoor races, as for the first time ever I’ll also be racing Stock in addition to F1. The main focus is still on Formula, of course, to get the best possible result, but I am very excited to see where I will place in Stock. As there are very few opportunities to train under ETS conditions indoors in Austria now, I had an extensive training day at the RC-INDOOR Arena in Salzburg with my Icon2 and Mi8. I had a good setup with my Icon2 after two three batteries and was able to concentrate on driving, as I had not driven indoors with the foam rubber tyres before. I also got to grips with my Mi8 very quickly and am looking forward to just having fun in Stock.
Andreas Stiebler (AT), Schumacher, Sunpadow
I am already looking forward to the last 2 indoor races with the foam rubber tyres from contact as it is a lot of fun with these tyres and I also hope that some f1 drivers will come back! I am going to Hann. Münden well prepared and with a good feeling as my two Xray X1-2023 cars are running very well after some short tests with my friend Herbert Weber. See you trackside!
René Kölbel (AT), Xray, LRP
After a very painful shoulder injury, I am just slowly getting back on my feet so that I can spend some time on the best hobby in the world in addition to my work. Of course, this has put my preparation completely on 0 and unfortunately I don’t have any vehicle ready for the ETS yet. My son unfortunately has Corona at the moment, which keeps me at home again, and all my RC stuff is at our permanent track. Of course, this makes it all very difficult to manage, but I will do my best and go full throttle after my son has recovered and I can go out among people again with a clear conscience. About the race as such: As already mentioned, I am absolutely 0 prepared due to my injury and the Corona Infention of my son. My opponents, on the other hand, have more than caught up and the last races were very close and a lot of fun. I had high expectations of my teammate Rene, who seems to have become an F1 moosie pro, as well as of the Stiebler. He hasn’t given me a single centimetre on the track in the last few races. But on the positive side 🙂 In general I always look forward to the indoor season. Simply weather independent, same conditions and cheaper what the tyres ^^ Since we now drive 2x more or less in a hotel, it raises the motivation even more. RC, sleep, RC etc… that’s all I need! In this sense, please keep your fingers crossed for a quick recovery for my son and if possible also for the rest of the family, so that we don’t catch it 😉
Jan Ratheisky (DE), Xray, Nosram
As you can see, all drivers are highly motivated and we can expect some close fights for the top spots in all classes. ETS RD5 will see a fully packed house in the centre of Germany with 280 entries out of many, many nations. We are looking forward to welcome everybody for a great weekend of racing!
Uwe, Scotty, and the whole ETS crew!
