Reigning world champ Hagberg won Euros Warm-Up

0 July 8, 2015, 4:52 p.m.

By Aaron Waldron
LiveRC.com

Race report from XRAY (by Alexander Hagberg):
www.teamxray.com

XRAY wins EFRA Warm-up in Turkey

The warm-up race for the upcoming European Championships was held at the EFMOD track in Izmir, Turkey. This impressive facility with a brand new track, also hosted the Turkish Nationals at the same time. The track is very long, with a lap time around 25 seconds. The curbs are quite unforgiving, but the asphalt itself is perfectly flat and provides very good grip.

The traction levels came up pretty high as the track was sugared during practice on Friday, and traction rolling became an issue for many competitors. After a troublesome start to qualifying, I managed to win the last two rounds which meant that I would end up 2nd in the overall standings, since the EFRA points system was in use. So even though I had the two fastest overall 5 minute runs, it would not be enough for TQ.

On Sunday morning I had to take part in the Super Pole special qualifying run where the qualifiers on position 2-5 all has a chance to secure another direct qualifying spot in the main final, without the need to run a semifinal. In the end I managed to post the fastest lap there, narrowly in front of Turkish XRAY driver Mustafa Alp, who showed great pace throughout the entire race.

In the main final I ran a trouble free race to secure the win in front of Dirk Wichnewski by about half a lap winning margin. The car handled well throughout the entire race and the scheduled tire change went without problems. Mustafa Alp managed to take the 3rd and final podium position after a great drive.

It felt good to have some valuable track time in preparation for the European Championships. I like the high grip conditions of the EFMOD track, and I am looking forward to the actual EC in September! I hope to see many XRAY drivers there!

I want to send out a big thanks to Umut Türkay of Team NCRC as well as Umut Öztümen with friends for their great hospitality in Izmir! It was a pleasure to work with these individuals. And thanks also to Bertram Kessler, my mechanic, for his continued support!