Nurburgring 200 - Qualifying
Vilarino leads the field at the Nurburgring
Thomas Ferrando scorse first career pole in ELITE 2 division
Blois, France - On the twisty Nurburgring GP-Strecke, Ander Vilarino (#2 TFT-Banco Santander Chevrolet SS) sat the fastest lap early in the 15-minutes qualifying session and took the ELITE 1 Saturday Race pole position. This is the first pole-position of the season for the two-time NASCAR Whelen Euro Series Champion.
Photo Credits: NASCAR Whelen Euro Series / Stephane Azemard
“My team did an outstanding job today and I want to thank them, because during practice the car was sliding a lot and we changed many things in the setup,” said the championship leader, who is racing at the Nurburgring for the first time in his career. “I’m very happy about this pole and tomorrow being consistent over the entire race will be fundamental.”
The Spaniard posted an impressive lap in 1’33”245, which placed him .339 seconds ahead of fellow countryman Borja Garcia (#1 Ford Autolix Competition Ford Mustang). The second row went to Still Racing teammates Frederic Gabillon (#12 Still Racing Chevrolet Camaro) and Freddy Nordstrom (#44 Still Racing Chevrolet Camaro), who was first in the Jerome Sarran classification. Anthony Kumpen (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS), second in points, posted the fifth time ahead of Bas Leinders (#32 RCP - Marc VDS Toyota Camry) and Eddie Cheever III (#51 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS).
Wilfried Boucenna (#22 Overdrive-Buffalo Chevrolet Camaro), Markus Palttala (#46 RCP - Marc VDS Toyota Camry) and Anthony Gandon completed the top-10, while Fabrizio Armetta (#31 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS) led the Challenger Trophy classification with the 13th time overall.
The ELITE 1 Saturday Race is scheduled for Saturday July 19th at 11:25 AM CET (5:25 AM ET).
Thomas Ferrando scores his first ELITE 2 pole
Young Drivers Program rookie Thomas Ferrando scored his first career pole in the ELITE 2 division qualifications by setting a fastest lap time of 1’35’’013, edging Salvador Tineo Arroyo (#4 Ford Autolix Competition Ford Mustang) by .103 seconds. Third was Philipp Lietz (#86 TB Renauer Motorsport Ford Mustang) ahead of Tours Speedway double-winner Denis Dupont (#32 RCP - Marc VDS Toyota Camry) and returning Italian driver Luca Pirri (#25 CAAL Racing Chevrolet SS), who was first in the Gentleman Trophy classification. Championship leader Maxime Dumarey (#24 PK Carsport Chevrolet SS) took the sixth spot on the grid.
Photo Credits: NASCAR Whelen Euro Series / Stephane Azemard
“It’s been tough and I’m so happy with the pole position,” said Ferrando. “Tomorrow I’ll try to avoid every mistake and do my best in order to stay up front”.
Italian debutant Ruggero Melgrati (#6 Events4you by Nocentini) led the Legend Trophy classification thanks to the seventh fastest time and Nathalie Maillet (#46 RCP - Marc VDS Toyota Camry), 8th fastest overall, will lead the field in the Ladies Cup.
The ELITE 2 Saturday Race will start at 4:05 PM CET (10:05 AM ET)
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NASCAR Whelen Euro Series
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