WINS FOR OESTREICH / 2 x SECOND PLACES FOR LACKO + MKR TECHOLOGY TAKE TEAM PRIZE |TWICE ON SATURDAY
19.9.2011
First qualifying on Saturday morning saw the drivers attacking a dry track – and the MKR Technology trio were again on top form.
Pole position in the ‘Top 10’ shoot out went to Adam Lacko – the young Czech in the MKR Renault setting a best time of 1m.57.018s. (Average speed 1230.05km/h).
That was 0.493 secs quicker then his nearest rival – reigning European Champion Antonio Albacete. Just 0.314s behind the Spanish driver was Markus Bosiger (1m.57.825s) with Markus Oestreich making it an all-Renault second row with a time of 1m.58.204s.
From the rolling start Lacko made a good getaway to head the field into the opening corner – with Albacete, Bosiger, Oestreich and Hahn hot on his heels.
But Lacko appeared to have the race under control as he led the way for the next six laps – looking set for victory as the race passed the halfway point. However Adam was suffering from excessively high brake temperatures – so he was forced to reduce his pace slightly which allowed Albacete to take over at the front, eventually going on to take the chequered flag.
Lacko fell back further and in the closing stages was overhauled by his team-mate Markus Bosiger, the Czech driver finally having to be content with third – while Oestreich came home in 4th, fending off a late challenge from Vrsecky and Hahn.
Two drivers on the podium and all three in the top four was an encouraging start to the weekend and this strong performance also meant that MKR Technology claimed first place on the podium in the Teams’ competition, further closing the gap on Truck Sport Bernau.
The second championship race proved to be exciting – with an unexpected race leader for the first seven laps as Hungarian newcomer Norbert Kiss made good use of his starting place at the front (thanks to the ‘Top 8’ Reverse Grid).
The MAN initially held off the chasing Buggyra of Levett – but the driver to watch was Oestreich in the MKR Renault who soon moved into 2nd position and then set about shadowing Kiss.
The ‘Rookie’ defended his position well – but eventually Oestreich’s experience paid off and he used the Meritor-equipped Renault effectively as he outbraked the Hungarian into the final chicane on lap 7 and then took over the lead which he held until the finish.
After some fierce battles mid-race it was Albacete who finally grabbed the runner-up spot… but only just! Adam Lacko was in determined mood and had charged from 8th on the grid to a fighting 3rd – trailing Albacete at the chequered flag by a margin of only 0.387s. – a real photo finish.
Newcomer Kiss finally came home in an impressive 4th place.
Markus Bosiger fended off the hard-charging Nittel to bring the third MKR Renault home in 5th place – which combined with Oestreich’s win ensured that team boss Mario Kress was again on the top step of the podium to collect the 1st prize in the Teams’ competition.
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