This week-end was the third round of the very popular MRC CUP at Vianen, in Netherlands.
In 1/10 Touring category, the TM dutch drivers placed all the 4 TM E4RS4 in the A-final during the qualification rounds.
Robert Krens set the pole position, followed by Rob Janssen (TM), Eric Bresser. Jari van de Wal (TM) in 4th position, and the Arts brothers 5th (Richard) and 7th (Ronald).
During the finale, Rob Janssen took the overall win, followed by Ronald Arts and Jari van de Wal, for a full TM E4RS4 podium !
Great job guys !
Original report from Rob Janssen:
Last weekend we had the 3rd race of the popular indoor series of MRC Vianen. As usual they did a good job in hosting the race, this time also including some soup and bread for lunch for all drivers!
There is one rule in this race series I don’t really like and that is that everybody can drive the tires they want. Most of the times I try to run on Volante tires as most other races are on that one. Last time it was very difficult to fight for the top spot as some guys were doing some good times on Sorex tires. So for this time I also started on Sorex tires. But I found out quickly that was not good for me and not working with the set-up I used to drive. So after qualifying 2nd spot I went back to my well known Volante tires before the finals.
In the opening lap I noticed I really liked the handling of the car and felt confident to start the 1st final. I was able to stay really close to Robert Krens on his Sorex tires and had to held back some corners as the cornerspeed on Volante is much higher. But as on a tight track passing is very difficult I couldn’t make a move. Eventually he drove away a little. When I was able to close the gap a little Robert got issues with his sensor wire and had to retire. So I won the first final with no real pressure from behind. Jari did a good job this final by coming in 2nd closely followed by Ronald on 3rd. For me I drove a new personal best laptime, a 10.6 lap. In qualification I did 10.8 on Sorex tires. Last race with the ‘old’ car I also did 10.8 laps.
The second final I again was able to stay close to Robert but again couldn’t make a good move. After a few laps we started to overtake the rear of the field and I found myself hitting a slower car which costed me the connection to Robert. I came in 2nd.
The 3rd final I was close to Robert the first few laps but then he started to pull away a little. In the middle of the race I came back a little but before really coming back to him he rolled over his car so I was now in front. Coming back on 4 wheels Robert noticed his spur gear was broken so he couldn’t come after me anymore.
Overall I won the race and was really happy with the handling of the new car on the aluminium chassis ! With Ronald and Jari completing the podium it was an all TM podium which felt really good!
Original report from André vd Wal (Jari’s father):
With about 70 drivers and 5 classes with 23 drivers in the stock class (17.5T) it promised to be a long day.
Just one week before the race we received the aluminum chassis for the E4RS4, we could not test it so it was a guess which setup we should use. We decided to use the NK setup from Rob Janssen, and it worked straight away.
After a little setup adjustment we decided to change nothing more, the car was awesome. Jari was qualified 4th and drove a good 1st final, he became second after Rob Janssen.
In the second final Jari drove on average a better time but finished 3th after Robert and Rob.
In the 3rd final by some unfortunate circumstances, Jari got 7th place. Anyway the best two finals count so overall 3rd. It was a good racing day for Team TM the Netherlands with 4 E4RS4 cars in A main and a full TM podium. Congrats to Rob, Ronald and Richard.
Overall Results:
A – 1. Rob Janssen – TM E4RS4
A – 2. Ronald Arts – TM E4RS4
A – 3. Jari Van De Wal – TM E4RS4
A – 4. Eric Bresser
A – 5. Ruud Knoester
A – 6. Robert Krens
A – 7. Jan Kraanen
A – 8. Richard Arts – TM E4RS4
B – 9. Eric Mulder
B – 10. Joop Voorn
B – 11. Mark Tullemans
B – 12. Jan Van Goor
B – 13. Theo Kroon
B – 14. Axel Kleingeld
B – 15. Bert Geurts
B – 16. Raymond Plooij
C – 17. Maarten Coenen
C – 18. Nick Nerrings
C – 19. Andre Van Der Steen
C – 20. Mario Taekema
C – 21. Jaco Bouman
C – 22. Kim Van Amstel
C – 23. Marco Van Leeuwen