The big showdown of ETS Season #15 2022/23
The time has come – the ETS Season #15 2022/23 will come to an end after next weekend`s season finale at the Sporthotel Grafenwald in Daun, GER. With 360 entries it will be the biggest ETS race since the outbreak of COVID in 2020, and we are more than happy about all your support for the ETS since the virus changed the world. But as everything is getting close to normal again, we can finally concentrate on “racing only” again.
Until now, it was a very intense and successful season of RC car racing, and we have a situation which we never had before at the Euro Touring Series:
ALL 6 CHAMPIONS WILL BE CROWNED AT THE LAST RACE OF THE SEASON!
We are becoming goose bumps when reading this – you as well?
In today`s preview we like to let you know what the championship contenders told us one week before the final race of the season – let`s find it out! And before, enjoy some simple numbers and facts about ETS Season #15 2022/23:
Over 1300 Entries | 6 Races | 4 Countries | 21 Different Race Winners | 6 First Time ETS Race Winners | Thousands of clicks on our new designed ets.racing website | Thousands of amazing pictures | Thousands of views on our YouTube channel
Championship Classification
As mentioned in the intro, we are facing 6 title decisions in Daun. To bring a little light into darkness concerning the results which the drivers need to win, here some information about the classifacation rules when drivers should be tied on points after the race.
What will happen then? The ETS race direction under the lead of Scotty Ernst and timekeeper Hartmut Wenzel will evaluate all results according to these rules:
- Who has more podiums
Checked in this order: Who has more 1st places, who has more 2nd places, who has more 3rd places? - lf the drivers are still tied, then we will check who has more TQ’s (Pole Positions)
- lf still tied, then we check who has more 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th places
- Important: If a driver TQ`s a race, and the overall result of the race ends up being a throw out round, the TQ point will be added to the drivers championship points total. That means, we will count ALL TQ points of a driver for his championship rankings at the end of the season.
Matrix Modified
Rheinard, Völker, Krapp, Prümper, and Urbain – these guys will chase the premier Matrix Modified title in Daun after a spectacular season
One thing at first: This showdown will be absolutely thrilling and amazing! We have a situation we never had before at the ETS, with 5 (five) drivers having the chance to win the overall championship at the last race of the season. This is something that shows the competitiveness of this racing class, and the quality of the drivers and teams.
What happened until now
When looking on the season results, we can see that we had different winners at each race. We can also see, that none of the top 5 made it onto the podium at every race. We can talk about an up and down for the top guys on a very high level of racing. Let`s take a closer look at the possible scenarios. Please keep in mind that we can not talk about EVERY possible outcome of the race 🙂
Ronald Völker (903 points) is the only driver who has two TQ`s to his favour. He also won the last race in Hann. Münden (his only win this season so far) for Mugen Seiki, and scored one second place and two third places while his lowest position was a P4 at Arena33. If Ronald will be able to TQ and win the race in Daun, he will be the overall champion for 100%. A challenging mission which the reigning champion would like to accomplish for sure!
I am highly motivated for the Season Finale in Daun. It is one of my favourite events of the year as the location is also great to have a good time with friends and teammates. Since the last ETS in Hann. Münden, I have put in a lot of work and testing into my car and the general setup and our whole Mugen Seiki team is prepared very well too.
Ronald Völker (DE) Mugen Seiki/LRP
Our absolute goal is to win and defend the championship title we won at the same venue last season. I am sure that we are facing a great weekend as the ETS titles of the other five classes are up for grabs as well.
Marc Rheinard (903 points) is facing a very similar situation. The Awesomatix driver took one race win (including a TQ) at his home race in Andernach, while scoring two second places as well as one fourth and one fifth place during his slower start into the season. A TQ and win would also bring him the championship title which would be the first one for Awesomatix. If it would only a battle between Rheinard and Völker, the whole thing would be very easy to analyse: The driver who will win the race in front of his competitor is the champion! But there are even more drivers with high hopes for a perfect weekend in the mix which you can see below!
Another great ETS season comes to an end, and this time I have the chance for winning the overall title in the last race. That is really great, and I will travel to Daun with the highest motivation to win the race and the first ever Modified title for Awesomatix. My season went well so far, even after the start was a bit rough in the first two races. Then I scored a win in Andernach, followed by two second places in Luxembourg and Hann. Münden. But we will try everything to make it happen in Daun.
Marc Rheinard (DE) Awesomatix/Orca
Right before the event, the GP3F in Longwy (France) will be the last bigger test, even while using different tires and additive there. Maybe I will go for some extra ETS practice afterwards as well, but that will be a last-minute decision. It will be a spectacular final as 5 drivers have a chance to win, but we will throw everything we have on this result and hopefully we can make it happen!
Christopher Krapp (901 points) is sitting third overall at the moment -sometimes the best place to be! The Yokomo driver had the best season of his ETS career so far, winning the race in Aigen (including TQ), and finishing two times third on the podium. He also took a fifth place from RD5, which is his lowest point score. As Krapp was not able to race at RD4 in Luxembourg, one of his two throw outs was already defined. But being only 2 points behind Rheinard and Völker, Krapp can still win the title from his own strength if he would be able to TQ and win the event. This would put him one point ahead of the competition and is his only chance to take the big one!
I am looking forward to Daun with a lot of happiness. As almost everybody, I like the facility and the event there a lot and it was always a good place for me racing wise. I was on the podium two times in Daun and finished always in the top 5 so I am hoping for another very good result at the ETS Season Finale. Due to the birth of my little daughter two weeks ago, I had other things in mind and made the greatest experiences of my whole life welcoming her 😊.
Christopher Krapp (DE) Yokomo/Racing Performer
I was not practicing after the last ETS race, but I think I will go testing in Hasloh for one or two days before the race in Daun. The development of our Yokomo car goes further and further, and I hope that we (me and Yannic Prümper) can use the new released parts to be in full contention for the win and the overall championship in Daun. We will give it our all, and I am looking forward to race with “baby motivation” for the first time ever. See your trackside!
Yannic Prümper (900 points) is ranked fourth right now. He won the season opener from second on the grid and took a second place at Arena33 and two times fourth position in Luxembourg and Hann. Münden. He missed the second race of the season in Aigen, and his only chance to win the title is a TQ and win in Daun, with Völker and Rheinard not finishing second behind him. Not impossible, but a hard way to go for Prümper.
For sure I am looking forward to the last race of the season. We had a very good year in 2022 with our BD11, and our goal is to continue and even improve in 2023. For the final race of the season in Daun, I hope that we will have a serious shot for winning the race. Personally, I need a TQ and win to grab the championship title and it would be amazing if I can achieve this at such a special race like Daun is.
Yannic Prümper (DE) Yokomo
However, also Krappi is in a good place, and we will work together as a team to get the best outcome for Yokomo. The whole situation in the championship is very close, with 5 drivers having a chance for the win. I think we never had this in the past and it will be a great showdown between all the major brands on the market.
Next weekend I will practice again to get used to the equipment of my new electronic sponsor (TBA soon) and to dial my BD11 in for the big showdown in Daun!
Lucas Urbain (899 points) is the last of the top 5 with a chance to become the ETS champion. Lucas was getting stronger and stronger throughout the season and took his first ever ETS race win during RD4 in Luxembourg, backing it up with a strong third place in Hann. Münden. His start into the season was a little slower with a ninth, and two fifth places in the first three races. He needs (as all the others) a TQ and win as well to win the title, but he needs a lot of top results from other drivers as well. For Lucas, the TQ and win would only be enough if Rheinard and Völker both would not finish higher than fourth.
Going to Daun in a similar state of mind as last year actually. I had very little chance to go testing since last ETS so I am unsure of what to expect. I guess GP3F will be a good representation of my current form but most likely I will need inputs from my teammates to get me up to speed to fight for the win if I want a shot a the overall title.
Lucas Urbain (FR) Awesomatix/Orca
Game on in the Matrix Modified class. If we should bet some money on a driver, we would never risk as all of them have the speed and the talent to win in Daun. We are excited which driver will lift the championship trophy on Sunday!
Awesomatix Pro Stock
Awesomatix has already chilled the champagne – but who gets to splash it?
In the Awesomatix ProStock class, Simon Lauter (909 points) is only one step away from defending his championship title. His Awesomatix teammate and team manager Max Mächler (906 points) is the only driver who can snatch the title away from Lauter at the season finale in Daun. The Awesomatix duo has taken every single TQ and race win during the season – what an impressive performance! The class was completely in the hands of the Awesomatix brand which gets shown perfectly in the ranking list where the first full season “non Awesomatix driver” is Yokomo`s Enrico Jung in eight position.
Back to the front: What must happen for Lauter and Mächler to win the titles?
Simon Lauter has three wins (including 3 TQ`s) as well as a second and a third place on his score card. Max Mächler is counting two wins (including 2 TQ`s), and has two seconds and one fourth place to his favour. As long as Lauter finishes ahead of Mächler (no matter which result), his title defence would be successful.
The last ETS race in Hann. Münden is already some weeks behind us. My win there was great, even if we had some strategy luck on our side as well. Since then, I invested some time to practice and raced in Augsburg one time. I will be racing at the GF3F in Longwy at the weekend before the season finale which will help a lot for sure. Even if we will use different tires, additive, and different electronics there – a race against the best drivers on a good track always helps to stay in a good form.
Simon Lauter (DE) Awesomatix/LRP
For the race in Daun I expect all drivers to be well prepared and it will come down to maybe be that 1 or 2% of better preparation. The right mindset is also important, and I will try to be as relaxed as possible in Daun to enjoy the great event. I don`t think about the title too much, I just will give my very best on track and take whatever I get. Our whole Awesomatix team can achieve a lot in Daun, and I will also try to help all of them.
I am really looking forward to a great time at the venue in Daun, to see all my friends again and to enjoy the evenings as well. Another thing which I can`t wait to get started is the new RC Manager game which will be in the final testing stages at the race as well – stay tuned!
The only chance for Mächler to grab the title is a TQ and race win, with Lauter not allowed to finish higher than 4th. So, with a TQ and win and Lauter only in P4, we would see Mächler celebrating the overall championship. They would be tied on points then, and the number of TQs would also be the same. But in this case, Mächler would have the better podium finishes on his side.
Very much hyped about the final round of the ETS season in Daun, as it will be the showdown between Simon and me (in the ProStock class) for the overall championship. It will be a though challenge, as I need a TQ and win to make it happen. But I won in Daun once before, so I know all is possible there!
Max Mächler (DE) Awesomatix/Sunpadow
Looking forward to a great event with exciting battles. Either way – it will be another overall championship win in the ProStock class for me as Team Manager which is an additional mood boost 😊
A lot of theory, we will see what happens on track. A thriller should be guaranteed in the Awesomatix ProStock Show as many other drivers can become a factor in the fight at the top as well!
Hobbywing Frontwheel
Olsen, Schulz and Borschel to battle for the title in the biggest ETS class
With 110 (!) entries, the FWD class is the biggest once again. The class has become the biggest at the ETS since it was added in 2019, and a lot of drivers are totally in love with their FWD cars! The championship is not decided yet, and it will come down to the line between Steven Olsen (DK), Stefan Schulz (GER), and Roman Borschel (GER). When looking on points, the situation is very complex and every scenario can happen in the top three!
Xray`s Stefan Schulz (905 points) missed the first race of the season, but he found his way back to the top of the rankings with two TQ`s and wins in Aigen (RD2) and Luxembourg (RD4). As long as he will finish the race in front of Olsen he will be the champion. He also can finish one place behind Olsen, as long as the Danish driver does not TQ and win, or if both would be 2nd and 3rd behind Borschel who would become a factor then!
This time I am more prepared than ever for an indoor race. Due to the opening of a new permanent indoor track in Blankenfelde-Mahlow (about 50 minutes from my home), I was able to prepare myself very well. The guys from the “Burning Wheels Blankenfelde” did a great job with this new track and it’s worth a visit!
Stefan Schulz (DE) Xray/GensAce
However, before the ETS I’m going to the GP3F in Longwy, which will be running with different regulations, but the anticipation is still rising. Especially, as after the ETS on Monday morning, I’m going straight on to Orlando to the Snowbirds Nationals race. So, I have three nice weeks ahead of me. I will go flat out at the ETS Season Finale!
Awesomatix A800FX driver Olsen (902 points) took the TQ and win at the season opener in the Netherlands, and constantly scored top 5 results – excluding his season low with a P7 during RD3 at Arena33. Steven needs a super-strong result in Daun, with a TQ and win being the best option for him. If he would be able to achieve that with Schulz finishing second, they would be tied on points and the number of overall season podiums would hand the title over to Olsen.
I feel as prepared as time allows me, the car is easier to drive now with the new tires and my setup is more prepared then for Hann Münden, so II hope I can challenge for the win.
Steven Olsen (DK) Awesomatix/LRP
The FWD class is highly competitive, so winning is not easy and just one small mistake in qualifying can cost you a lot and push you down the starting order for the finals. We saw in Hann Münden how Schulz was able to keep his 3rd place in A1 with a half-broken car, so overtaking is very hard.
For the overall season TQ and win is the only way to give me enough points to win for sure. Unless Schulz has a bad weekend, then I think there are a couple more ways I can get enough points. See you in Daun for the ETS final.
Roman Borschel (900 points), the race winner at the last race in Hann. Münden, is sitting third overall with a chance to fight for the title as well. He needs nothing less that a TQ and win to have a serious shot for the overall victory. Every other result would not be enough for him. But even if Borschel wins, he only will become the champion if Schulz will not finish better than 5th.
In Daun, I expect a close race in the Fronti class, as always. As I prefer to race indoors rather than outdoors, I am personally very much looking forward to the race and of course hope for a similar layout as in Hann. Münden. That suited me quite well 🙂 .
Roman Borschel (DE) Awesomatix
I will arrive with my tried and tested setup and see how it goes.
Otherwise, my goal is simply to have fun and drive the car around the track as best I can.
Orca 17.5 Stock
From Dusk till Daun – can Reile protect his melting lead from young Donath until the end?
The whole season saw Dominik Reile (905 points) and Jasmin Donath (904 points) on top of the Orca 17.5 Stock class at the ETS. Reile had a great start into the season with his two race wins coming from Apeldoorn (RD1) and Aigen (RD2). Afterwards, Reile had some kind of “imperfect” weekends with a 7th place at Arena 33 and only a 4th place after being TQ in Luxembourg. At RD5 in Hann. Münden, he was finishing 5th overall and his championship lead is still based on his first two races, and his additional TQ in Luxembourg.
Jasmin Donath was THE surprise of the season, finishing on the podium at each of the five rounds. She celebrated her first ever ETS win during RD3 in Andernach, and she confirmed her ambitions for the overall title with a very impressive weekend at the last race in Hann. Münden with a TQ and win. Jasmin is driving very impressive now, and it would be a big surprise to not see her on pace in Daun.
Donath and Reile having two wins to their favour, with Reile having more TQ`s (3) and Donath having more podiums (5). If they will be tied on points after the race, Donath would have the better outcome because of her higher number of podium finishes. Let`s see what will happen in Daun, as all the other top 17.5 Stock drivers are on the line as well, aiming for a top result to finish their season on a high!
I’m really looking forward to Daun. The Sporthotel with all the facilities around it is always a highlight, because you simply have everything in place. And now the final in Daun is even better. Daun has always gone well for me so far and I hope it will be the same this time. I did some training and riding over the holidays. In any case, I’m really looking forward to the showdown with Jasmin and an exciting fight for the title.
Dominik Reile (DE) Awesomatix
It is the last race of this exciting season, and I am looking forward to meeting people I know and other drivers at the finale. The current best 17.5 racers will be there, but since the last few races have gone very well for me, I am of course extra motivated to take the opportunity to take the one-point lead from the season leader Dominik and thus make the entire championship exciting until the last race. Whether I will have the chance to do so, we will see.
Jasmin Donath (DE) Awesomatix
No matter how it turns out, it’s been a very exciting season for me, and I’m already overjoyed with how it’s gone so far. Last year in Daun the track was super tricky to drive if it’s anything like that again this year it will be very exciting. I really hope for a fun, exciting, thrilling race with all the drivers, friends, and spectators. Fingers crossed!
ToniSport 40+ Masters
Clash of titans between Stankowitz and Mateo who will both meet in Daun with the same amount of points in the bag
The championship decision in the hard-fought ToniSport 40+ Masters class will be a two-horse race between Manuel Stankowitz (GER), and Toni Mateo (ES). Both have two wins including two TQ`s and a second place to their favour. Stankowitz has the better throw out result now (3rd place in Aigen), which is putting him in a slightly better position. Behind them, Mirco Thalheimer is sitting in third place and will try everything to defend it against Ulrich Dinger who is ranked fourth after five rounds of racing!
However, the final race in Daun will be the showdown between these two amazing drivers. If one of them will win the race, he will be the champion for sure. Stankowitz only needs to finish the race ahead of Mateo, and the title will be his. Mateo needs to beat Stankowitz with a top 3 result as it would not be enough for him to finish fourth with Stankowitz somewhere behind.
I’m really looking forward to Daun. This season I never thought I would win an ETS race, and now it’s even about the championship – unbelievable! I have trained a lot here in Hasloh and have also taken part in a few races elsewhere. I really hope that Toni Mateo will be there this time, so it will be all the more exciting. My problem is that the track in Daun has never really suited me. I hope it will be different this time 😊
Manuel Stankowitz (DE) Awesomatix
I am happy to return to racing after a small break. The next race I only like to enjoy with the friends at the track. I Don`t have very high expectations as I had no time to practice at all. Manuel is super strong, I checked the last race results from him, and he was always super-fast. The championships is important but, but right now I only think to return to the ETS and see my friends. For sure, if I have any possibilities, I will take advantage and try to win. I think many drivers will have a chance to win the race in Daun. Hasta Pronto 😊
Toni Mateo (ES) Awesomatix
Scorpion Formula
Championship decision between Kölbel and Stiebler in the ETS Formula class
The Scorpion Formula class has produced three different race winners in the current season. Two wins (including two TQ`s) went to Jan Ratheisky (Xray) during RD3 and RD4. But we also saw two new drivers joining the circle of ETS race winners – the Austrian duo of Renè Kölbel (Xray) and Andreas Stiebler (Schumacher).
Kölbel took the win at the season opener in Apeldoorn (from TQ), and he was also able to win RD5 in Hann. Münden after an incredible fight with TQ Stiebler who had to settle for second there. Stiebler won his first ETS race on home soil in Aigen after a brilliant drive with his Schumacher car.
With Ratheisky not on the list of entries for Daun, the decision for the overall title will be only between Kölbel and Stiebler and after what we have seen from them this season, we can already fasten our seat belts to enjoy a real showdown to the finish line. Kölbel`s advantage is at 1 point over Kölbel before the final of the season. The statistics are showing two wins with one TQ for Kölbel, and one win with two TQ`s for Stiebler.
That makes it simple: If Kölbel will finish the race in front of Stiebler, he will be the champion. But Stiebler can also take the title without any doubts if he will TQ and win in Daun. If another driver wins, or if both drivers will get separated by more than one position in the end, we must check the results again to see who our Scorpion Formula champion will be. The rules are clear, and we will crown our well-deserved champion in Daun on Sunday after A2 or at least A3.
Well, as we have seen throughout the whole season this year, the ETS final will be another close race between Andi (Stiebler) and myself, which I am very much looking forward to. Andi is a very fair driver, and racing against him is so much fun. But I also suspect that several drivers will be fighting for the win in this race. I will be well prepared for the race with my cars on the line. It will be a great event in Daun and I can’t wait to get it started!
Renè Kölbel (AT) Xray/LRP
I don’t really feel nervous now, but I am excited and ready to race and can’t wait. I’ve been training a few times and did the RT-Pegasus race where I could already see that the setup changes have brought an improvement compared to the last ETS. So it’s going to be another exciting battle with Renè and I’m really looking forward to race for the win and the overall title at the ETS Season Finale in Daun!
Andreas Stiebler (AT) Schumacher/Sunpadow
We are ready for the great Showdown at the Sporthotel Grafenwald in Daun – are you ready as well?
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Uwe, Scotty, and the whole ETS crew
