Tekno has announced the signing of US Offroad super star Ryan Maifield to their factory team. Read the complete Tekno statement here:
Tekno RC is pleased to welcome Ryan Maifield to the factory team. Ryan is well known in RC racing as his long list of achievements speaks for itself. From the many world and national championships, to the dozens and dozens of major event wins, he has proven time and again why he is considered to be one of the best drivers to ever compete in RC. Ryan has incredible talent, vast knowledge of RC cars, and a large network of sponsors and fans who support him. Combined with his unique approach to racing, he has a competitive edge that fuels his strong desire to win. Like many of the greats, he is well-versed in 1/8th and 1/10th scale off-road racing disciplines. We’ll be working closely with him to refine our current products and to develop new vehicles for our valued customers to enjoy. We can’t help but be excited for the 2023 racing season!
“I’m excited to be a part of the Tekno program!! I have driven the vehicles and have been very impressed with the speed, adjustability, and quality of the products. After spending some time with the crew behind the scenes, I was able to see how much commitment and passion goes into these vehicles.”
The fifth round of the actual ETS Season is an indoor event in the center of Germany. As it was not easy to find a location available and suiting the demands of the Euro Touring Series, the crew is very thankful that the Trans World Hotel Auefeld is hosting our event this weekend! As always, it takes a lot of work to set up an indoor event and the team around Uwe Rheinard started on Tuesday to prepare everything for the ETS racers.
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The carpet is brand new and will ensure the grip level the drivers are used to have at the races of the Euro Touring Series. The track was built under the direction of ETS racer Tim Benson who created the layout while the ETS crew and many members of the RCCT Münden helped during the construction process. The result is great and nice flowing racetrack which will be the place to be in the next three days!
Enjoy a quick walkaround through the hotel and a first view on the racetrack of ETS RD5 in our Video!
Everything is set for ETS RD5 now and we hope that you like the track and the whole facility here in Hann. Münden. The madness will start on Friday morning when we will open the doors for 270 highly motivated ETS racers – let`s go racing!
Japanese RC manufacturer Yokomo announced the signing of Austrian Stock and Modified ace Dominic Vogl to their Onroad team. Vogl had a good time with different cars in the last years and will strengthen the Yokomo team around Krapp, Prümper, Lee, Jung, and Hovgaard from now on. Read the official statement from Team Yokomo here:
We are pleased to welcome a great driver to Team Yokomo. Dominic Vogl is a top driver in the touring car stock category and will be driving the BD11 as early as the next ETS race. We hope his success will make our products even better and bring his spirit to many Yokomo fans!
First and foremost, I want to thank Toni Rheinard for the exclusive opportunity to run whatever chassis I preferred in the past years. Many thanks for this unique support since years! After a small RC break for me in the last months, I received the great chance to join the Yokomo factory team and I couldn’t be happier that everything came together that fast. I want to thank Yokomo, especially Christopher Krapp and Yannic Prümper, which are as well great friends off the track to put the trust in me. For sure I am motivated more than ever before to help the team achieving great results! My first race will be the ETS already this weekend, and I am really looking forward to it with my brand new BD11!
The fifth round of ETS Season #15 2022/23 is leading the ETS circus to Hann. Münden in the centre of Germany. The indoor season has now started in all European countries, and most racers already took the chance to practice or race on carpet to be well prepared. The ETS crew will start to built up the carpet track in the Trans World Hotel Auefeld from Wednesday on, and everybody is looking forward to the event at a new venue. As before any ETS event, there are some things to watch out for. Here are our “5 things to watch” during ETS RD5 in Hann. Münden.
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1) Championship battles
The fight for the overall ETS titles is still open in all of our six racing classes. Some are closer as others, but nothing is decided yet. While the Awesomatix drivers Dominik Reile (Orca 17.5 Stock) and Toni Mateo (ToniSport 40+ Masters) are having a gap of 5 and 6 points ahead of their competitors, it is even closer in the other categories. In the Matrix Modified class, the fight is as intense as it has not been for many years. Four drivers are only separated by two points with Marc Rheinard (Awesomatix) and Christopher Krapp (Yokomo) leading the field tied on points from Yannic Prümper (Yokomo) and Ronald Völker (Mugen Seiki). The Awesomatix Pro Stock class is in control of the Awesomatix duo Max Mächler and Simon Lauter – both having scored 906 points so far – but who will win the championship at the end of Season #15? In the Hobbywing Frontwheel division we can expect a close showdown between Stefan Schulz (Xray) and Steven Olsen (Awesomatix) who are separated by only one point while the Scorpion Formula class is a close affair as well between Andreas Stiebler (Schumacher), René Kölbel (Xray), and Jan Ratheisky (Xray) who has a chance for the title as well with a good result in Hann. Münden.
It is “Game ON” at the Euro Turing Series and the first carpet race of the season will be the start of a great showdown for sure!
2) New Ride FWD tires
Together with Ride and some test drivers, the ETS has worked hard behind the scenes to improve the tires in the FWD class. The focus was not so much on performance in case of lap times, as the FWD class should simply not become too fast. But Ride did a great job and improved the tires a lot in case of the balance and a perfect rotation of the tires. The tires are still belted but have no patterns anymore – they are a full slick now. The wheels have changed from grey to white colour and feature 16 spokes instead of only 10 spokes. During testing, the drivers reported that the balance of the car was at the same level without needing a lot of setup changes which was a great aspect. We like to thank Ride for their great cooperation to get us where we are now with the FWD class. Watch out for the new Ride FWD tires on track.
3) Ellerbrock`s Awesomatix debut
The silly season is right underway, and some drivers are changing teams and sponsors until the end of the year. One of the first ETS racers who announced a change in his racing programme was Lukas Ellerbrock. He drove for Xray in the last years (with great success) and made the switch to Awesomatix now. It will be interesting to watch him at the first race with his new A800MMX ride. Mostly, racers perform very well (especially) at the first race with their new brand (a fact which is very mysterious), and a lot of people will keep an eye on Ellerbock’s performance in Hann. Münden. Lukas can rely on the support of a great team and there is no doubt that he will do well for Awesomatix in the future.
4) Project IRIS
Since a couple of weeks, the RUDDOG project IRIS under the lead of former Swedish international top driver Andreas Myrberg is getting a very hot topic. Andreas is working on this project since a very long time, and now it seems that we will see the first prototype cars in action at ETS RD5 in Hann. Münden. On his Facebook page, Andreas announced to race in the ToniSport 40+ Masters class himself to test the car in race conditions. He will bring his small team of high-quality drivers with him which consists of Dionys Stadler, Alex Kunkler, and Dominik Schmid. These guys are all very experienced and fast like hell. Alex and Dominik will compete in the Awesomatix Pro Stock class while Dionys will race in the Matrix Modified division with IRIS. Everybody who knows Andreas Myrberg knows that he is so addicted to RC and the industry, and everybody can be sure that he has put a lot of work and effort to get the car on track which he designed, and which will now hit the market under the flag of RUDDOG. We wish him all the best and a great start with project IRIS. We hope that the ETS media team can steal one of the cars during the weekend to make an “Under the Hood” report with it 🙂
5) New Matrix touring car tires
Another further developed product are the Matrix carpet tires for the ETS touring car classes. Here, the focus was on the side of the “break-in” time. As most racers know, carpet tires sometimes need 2-3 batteries to perform well. To achieve a tire which performs also good in the first run, Cristian Boni from Matrix tires worked on the composition of the rubber compound to get the tires exactly there. The result of various compounds and tests is a tire which is immediately good after some laps on the track. The feedback from many test drivers was the same all the way and therefore the ETS decided to use these slightly changed tires for the upcoming indoor season. As tires are always crucial in case of a balance in performance and lifetime, we hope that everybody will be happy with the updated tires. In our tests, performance and lifetime had been good and we like to thank Matrix tires for their hard work to make a good product even better!
We hope you enjoyed our “5 things to watch at ETS RD5”. But where are you watching? For everybody who will watch us from the distance – we are sorry that you will not be with us in Hann- Münden. But hey, you can enjoy all the racing action from home here on our page. You will find our video stream in the LIVE section of our website during the event! We expect the fifth round of ETS Season #15 2022/23 to be another epic event!
Michal Orlowski had a great week of racing in the United States where he was inthe mix at the Florida Carpet Championships at the amazing Beachline Raceway. The race saw a 2WD and 4WD portion (in Stock and Modified classes) and the overall champions got crowned by combining the final results of both classes.
The field of drivers was fully packed with offroad top stars, and Michal Orlowski was able to take the overall title of the single event. He was able to finish second on the podium in 2WD behind race winner Dakotha Phend (TLR) and in front of Spencer Rivkin (Associated) in the first part of the event and was in a good position before the 4WD portion.
Right after the 2WD event, the 4WD cars were hitting the track and after Phend, Champlin, and Orlowski took one A-Main win each, it was Orlowski with the lowest points score to take the win in 4WD after some amazing races. With his win in 4WD and his second place in 2WD, Michal Orlowski became the newly crowned Florida Carpet Championship winner – a big deal for the european guest!
The overall champion of the combined 2WD and 4WD event – Schumacher`s Michal OrlowskiThe podium of the 2WD class with Michal Orlowski (2nd), Dakotah Phend (1st), and Spencer Rivkin (3rd)The amazing track in Florida
Asian based company T-Work`s is offering three different topdeck versions for the actual world champion touring car Xray X4-2023 (and X4). Drivers can combine the topdecks with each other in the front and rear to achieve different flex and handling characteristics on track. They are made from high quality carbon fibre and are a direct fit for the X4 and X4-2023 cars from Xray.
Part Numbers: TE-X4-G-3 Graphite Split Type Front Upper Deck Ver. 3 (Xray X4 / X4-2023) TE-X4-G Graphite Split Type Front Upper Deck Ver. 1/2 ( Xray X4 / X4-2023 ) TE-X4-H Graphite Split Type Rear Upper Deck Ver. 1/2 (Xray X4 / X4-2023 )
Ronald Völker (Mugen Seiki) took an impressive win at the EWS International race in Essex, Great Britain this weekend. Völker won all four rounds of qualifying of the LRP Modified class with his Mugen Seiki MTC2 ahead of reigning world champion Bruno Coelho (Xray X4-2023). Christopher Krapp (Yokomo BD11), Lucas Urban (Awesomatix A800MMX), and Antoine Brunet (Xray X4-2023) completed the top 5 on the starting grid for the triple A-Mains. Ronald Völker won all three A-Mains relatively comfortable to take the overall victory while Bruno Coelho (2nd) and Christopher Krapp (3rd) joined him on the podium at the end of the event. Lucas Urban (Awesomatix A800MMX) and Antoine Brunet (Xray X4-2023) rounded out the top 5 in the LRP Modified class.
In the Rush TC Stock class (17.5T Motors), reigning Stock TC world champion Alexandre Duchet (Xray X4-2023) took the overall win from the TQ spot in front of Zak Finlay (Xray X4-2023) and Adam Izsay (Xray X4-2023). Max Mächler (Awesomatix A800MMX) and Frederik Hovgaard (Kokomo BD11) completed the top 5 in a very competitive field of stock racers
The Ride/MB Frontwheel class was in the hands of European champion Stefan Schulz and his Xray X4-F. Schulz started from pole into the finals and brought home the overall win after the second leg. Ben Cosgrove (Xray X4-F) and Nathan Parker completed the top three of the FWD class in Essex. Billy Fletcher and Craig Nutting had a good race as well and finished 4th and 5th overall.
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.
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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:
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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! 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!
Daniel Pöhlmann (DE), Awesomatix, Gens Ace
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:
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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!
Xray has announced the sigining of multiple UK national champion Ben Cosgrove to their factory team. Ben is a very experienced Onroad racer and will use the X4-2023 and the X4-F at his future races across Great Britain and Europe. Ben will attend regional, national and international races including UK National Championship races, the EWS and the MICC.
Ben Cosgrove about his move to the Slovakian manufacturer:
I am extremely happy to return to the XRAY family after many years away. We enjoyed great success in the past and now I am excited to continue our journey into the future. I will do my best to support all customers as best as I can and help to develop the platforms with the rest of the team. There are so many talented individuals in this team, with the awesome facilities and design team I cant think of anywhere else I would rather be.
T-Work´s is offering some new option parts for the actual Serpent Medius X20-23 touring car platform. These option parts are made for the drive train of the car and including double joint drive shafts and steel outdrives for the spool front axle of the car.
Part Numbers: CV-X20’23-S ECS Drive Shaft Xray Size With TWIN Trough Solid Driveshaft Adapters (for Serpent X20’23) CV-X20’23 ECS Drive Shaft Xray Size (for Serpent X20’23) TE-197-S TWIN Trough Spring Steel Solid Driveshaft Adapters (For Serpent X20’23) (Only use together with T-Work’s ECS Drive Shafts)
