TLR Reports From The Efra Euros

What can I really say about today here at the European Championships. It was a thrilling day of qualifying and something that I have never seen before. The intensity that goes on at a European Championship is like nothing I have seen. Everyone is so close on the clock and the speed of the track makes it so much fun to watch. The organizers did a fantastic job with picking this particular track for the European Championship. It is so fast with great elevations large jumps making the track somewhat difficult.

Darren and Miguel both had a great day of qualifying with Darren taking the open round TQ and Miguel second. In round two Miguel would show his consistence with another strong run putting is TLR 8ight EU 2.0 in the fourth position. Darren was not as happy with his car in round two which we think it was a combination of too soft of a tire and a little over driving on his part. In round three Miguel would decide to try a couple of setup changes (wing, body and less rear droop).  His run was not what he was looking for but he did like the changes made and will stick with most tomorrow.  He just had a bit of bad luck that he could not have avoided.

Darren would redeem himself in the third round by just missing the TQ by 0.4 sec but will set on top the leader board overnight and into tomorrow two final rounds.  Alex Zanchettin impressed me all day running super strong and consistent with his TLR 8ight EU 2.0  With his runs today he should have secured himself a spot in the semi finals on Saturday. I was equally impressed with TLR driver Henrick Nilson and Hannes Kaufler both setting on the bobble of making the semi finals but have two more chances tomorrow to secure their spots.

I have a really good feeling they can do it! Ramon Nuno had a great day as well with a couple of rough rounds but with two good rounds tomorrow he could be in there as well.  I am not counting him out! Overall today was a very impressive day as a team and just being here and seeing what the European racing is all about.  I am looking forward to more intense qualifying tomorrow.

With some quick decisions by Darrens mechanic Adam Drake for the third round of qualifying today Darren felt much more good with his car this in round 2 Darren put in a fantastic drive and just missing TQ by 0.4sec This will give Darren a 1 & 2 and is looking very good for the TQ going into tomorrow last two rounds.

Miguel Matias decided to try a couple of set up changes for the third round today since he had two very good run that will put him at the top of one of the two semi final on Saturday. He didn’t have the run he was looking for but did like some of the small changes he made to the car. I have to say I am very impressed with Alex Zanchettin putting in another great run taking a 17th for the third round and should have secured himself into the semi final round.

Right after round 1 the sun started to come out and looked like it was going to be a nice warm day today but as fast as it came out it went away. The clouds came rolling in and a very small amount of rain came down. Not even enough to get the track wet but it did cool off quite a bit. This did really play too big of a roll for us since we were still planning on staying on super soft tires.

Mister consistent Miguel Matias would continue on with his good way in round 2 Running a solid 5th place for the round giving him a good amount of confidence going into round 3 in just a bit. Darren was not as happy with his running. He had a couple of mistakes that would put him back in the 10th positions for the round. He will be looking to go fast in the 3rd round today. Alex Zanchettin had a very impressive with his TLR 8ight EU 2.0 buggy to take 27th for the round. Another driver standing out that round was Hannes Kaufler putting in a very strong run to finish 30th

Darren Bloomfied came out swinging in the first heat today setting a blistering 9 lap run to start the day of on the right foot. His biggest challenger would be from his teammate Miguel Matias in heat 4 that would also do 9 laps and come within a half second of him. This is a great start for the two drivers and we are looking for more of the same today in rounds 2 and 3 coming up a little later today. Henrick Nilson had a very impressive drive finishing a solid 23rd for the first round and Ricardo Monteiro finishing 39th keeping himself in the top 40

By TLR