English
DutchFrench GP - 2009, Tim(e) for a change
 Tim accelerates through the dirt |
Tim takes confident win !
Someone whispered "they are hungry again for a good result". |
A very strong field of competitors was present. Many national champions attended and even a world champion competed. After qualifikation we saw Michael Laurent, the French champion leading the pack on his home track. But his demand of his car already proved at the qualifikation to be very hard. Tim and Ken were well placed on a 3rd and 4th place. Petr showed a good 7th where Jeroen and Albert did not made the semi-finals and had to battle their way up from the quarter finals.
After the lower finals were ran, Jeroen and Albert drove their quarter finals. Albert managed to go through being 3rd, Jeroen was out.
In the half finals all went according plan. Tim was up first and was chasing Michael Laurent who demanded to much of his drive shafts again. After Michael was out, Tim drove easy to the finish saving his tyres and car for the finals, Petr came in 3rd and stepped up to the main final also.
The other semi we faced a drama where Ken was leading and cruising his way to the finish. When all of a sudden his throttle servo jammed and remained on full gas. What a shame as he would have won and take pole position. The car performed outstanding but unfortunately it was not ment to be for him.
With a burned servo, one of the Twins was down and out. Another disapointment came, when this semi final was over, Albert was found on 6th spot. He had a hard fight during the semi finals with some other pilots for 5th spot but did not manage to go through.
 Podium GP - FR |
 The cars |
 Results |
For the main final we saw Pavel Schiller on pole and Yan Oddie on 2nd as they made a slightly better time then Tim in the semi's. After the start Tim immediately tried to overtake Yan at the first and 2nd corner, the pressure was fully on. At the 5th corner which prepares for the American table the pressure was already to much. Out of control Yan flipped over and Tim passed the former world champion easy as 1-2-3.
Now with a gap already behind Tim it was time to chase Pavel. Pavel had new tyres on his car and he was able to set a very fast pace where we had run out of new tyres fully. But Tim could close the gap even on his worn tyres bit by bit, without going over the limit taking unnescesarry risks.
After 10 minutes of racing Pavel and Tim were battling for 5 minutes very close and hard a good honest fight for victory. Pavel was under full pressure now and it was clear Tim was the faster one of the 2. Pavel got more and more trouble controlling his car on acceleration as his tyres became worn more and more as time progressed. At the straight it was "Tim-Time".
Tim put his car next to Pavel and accelerated on the outside along the straight, into the sweeper, over the jump and closed the door going into the 180 turn.
A tremendous overtaking action, one that will be remembered well and long by both drivers. AAA-class racing
Soon we saw the gap growing bigger and bigger. This forced Pavel to take even more risk trying to keep up with Tim. This lead to a mistake at the double jump as he tried to take it in one go to make up lost time; he flipped his car over.
Tim now had a comfortable lead which grew further bit by bit. The last 5 minutes it was a matter of bringing it home, which Tim did in a very professional way.
Hands down for that & congrats mate - very impressive driving!
Petr managed to finish 4th and just missed the podium by 13 seconds.
We can look back on a very good and joyfull weekend of racing.
Well organised by the MBBM club of Boullay Mivoye.
Salut & Merci !
1. Tim Vander Elst (BE)
2. Pavel Schiller (CZ)
3. Yan Oddie (UK)
4. Petr Hartman (CZ)
5. Nicky Visser (NL)
