The Cayote Euro Touring Series season #19 is in full swing with RD3 taking place this upcoming weekend at Arena33. The club has prepared the track over the last year, removed the green astro turf infields, and added some fresh looking blue paint as well as new aluminium barriers instead of the wooden ones. The driver stand main building got some fresh paint as well and looks clean and beautiful again!
On Friday, a huge marquee was erected to provide all the racing drivers with a comfortable pit area, and everything is ready for a fantastic show. As always, there’s plenty to see, and here are our FIVE things to watch for ETS RD3 at Arena33…
1. Orlowski and Coelho level on points
Who will lead the championship before switching to black ETS carpet for RD4 and RD5?
Michal Orlowski (Schumacher) and Bruno Coelho (Infinity) will arrive to Arena33 in Andernach with 602 points each. Something we have not seen at the ETS since a while after two races in a season.
Both drivers dominated RD1 and RD2 and walked away with a TQ/win, and a second place each. This is very promising for the rest of the season even if we need to find out if Bruno and Infinity will compete on carpet this upcoming winter, or not.
They skipped the carpet season last year because of their world championship preparations, but now we are in a completley different film. However it will unfold – the stage is set for a great battle between Orlowski and Coelho. RC Maker`s new signing Ronald Völker is ranked in third position, six points behind the leaders.
1.1 Two debuts, one company – spotlight on RC Maker
Völker and SP2 hitting the track for the first time at the ETS
It was a big move when Ronald Völker left Mugen Seiki after almost six years just a couple of weeks ago. Völker had a good time with Mugen Seiki – especially at Arena33 where he could win twice (2021), backed up with a second place finish at the last Arena33 ETS in 2023.
Fast forward, this all is history and Ronald is now working together with RC Maker company owner Ryan Maker and his new team on the recently launched SP2 touring car.
A great project for Ronald, and a “dream coming true” for Ryan Maker who has now added one of the highest decorated 1:10 scale onroad racers of all time to his team. All eyes will be on RC Maker and the debut of the SP2, wheeled by Ronald Völker!
2. Technical track layout – who will dominate at Arena33
Slower corners and curb riding – precision is key
Compared to AMCA Apeldoorn and the HUDY ARENA, the track at Arena33 in Germany is not that “ultra-fast” and features more slow corners and chicanes where the perfect rythm will be the key to go fast. Overtaking is difficult as well and qualifying will be even more important for everybody!
During some of last weeks practice sessions, we have already seen very fast laptimes in Modified and some drivers broke the old track record already. Let`s see how far the drivers can push with the current cars, three years after we had been at Arena33 for the last time.
3. Tobi’s Kitchen and Hoffmann`s famous ice-cream van
There is no doubt about it – hunger will not be an issue during ETS RD3 in Andernach. Tobias Baumbach will rock the canteen in the same way he does at the ETS races in Daun, serving food, snacks, coffe, and cold drinks all day long.
Hofmann`s famous ice-cream van will “hopefully” shop up as well. Their ice-cream is really good and there’s always a long queue there when they come to Arena33!
4. After intense Pro Stock battles at the Hudy Arena
Have the nerves calmed down again?
The Pro Stock race at the Hudy Arena was a very tight contest at the front, with race winner Jan Ratheisky (Xray), championship leader Olivier Bultynck (Awesomatix) and Adam Izsay (Xray) battling it out for victory. However, there had been some critical moments (contact Izsay/Bultynck) and some very frustrated racers after A3. We really hope to see cleaner fights at Arena33 where overtaking will be more difficult than at the Hudy Arena for sure. It is game on in Pro Stock!
5. Zoo Racing Wolverine vs. Avalon Vortex
Which body wil be the fastest in all stock classes?
The Avalon Vortex body will not be in use in the Cayote Modified class. BUT it can be used in ALL of our three stock classes Pro Stock, 40+ Masters, and 21.5 Stock. We have already heared that the body works great at Arena33 where the amount of rotation and it`s agility might give the Avalon an advantage over the (also very agile) Wolverine from ZooRacing.
At the last ETS (Hudy Arena), David Ehrbar won the 40+ Masters with the Avalon Vortex, whilst the Wolverine continued to lead the way in the 21.5 Masters and Pro Stock classes. We are excited for the next episode of the body shell battles – you as well?
