Qualifying Heat 1 saw Timur Timerzyanov winning from Davy Jeanney and Alexander Hvaal while Marcus Grönholm protegé Joni Wiman won in S1600s and Robin Larsson in TCs.
Racing of Day 1 at Valkenswaard has been completed with a last race that was won in great style by Russian Timur Timerzyanov from Frenchman Davy Jeanney who was never a thread for the man from Tatarstan. The third fastest time was set by young Norwegian Alexander Hvaal in an earlier race. Fourth fastest became his compatriot Frode Holte. Briton Liam Doran made it to fifth place, American Tanner Foust put the sixth fastest time on the time keepers list. The OMSE driver thereby rewarding the efforts of his mechanics who had replaced an engine that had collapsed in the second Free Practice. Dreux winner Brit Kevin Procter went off the track after an infight with Belgian Jos Jansen to become a non-finisher and Swede Peter Hedström did not make it to chequers after the right front wheel broke off his Fabia. Guest driver Gerard de Rooy had some problems to get familiar with the rough Rallycross style, the son of Rallycross legend Jan de Rooy finished his first ever qualifying heat with the 16th fastest time.
After already impressing all with a second place overall in Belgium Marcus Grönholm protegé Joni Wiman from Finland surprised also today by driving the fastest time in Super1600s. Reigning European champion Andreas Bakkerud came in second while Russian Timur Shigaboutdinov completed the Set Promotion trio at the top of the following order. Set Promo’s other man Jussi-Petteri Leppihalme became victim of a start straight argument with his Russian team colleague, the Finn eventually slid off the track to get stuck in the kitty-litter outside of the first corner.
The Swedish young guns Robin Larsson and Anton Marklund ruled the chase for times of the TouringCars class, Irishman Derek Tohill finished as third fastest. Belgian Koen Pauwels was black flagged in his race after an attack on his fellow-countryman Pedro Bonnet. After he was forced into a standstill the Volvo campaigner was able to reach the chequered flag, but his set time was completely useless.
More photos by our snapper Qba to be found here: http://erc24.com/archives/7194
