Robert Pietsch takes French EFRA GP win

The opening 1/8th scale EFRA GP of the year was held last weekend outside Paris in a town called Aulnay. The 81 drivers, split between 4wd Open and 2wd Classic, were presented with a fast smooth track and the weather, while cool, stayed dry. Qualifying for the 4wd class saw Mugen racer Robert Pietsch take the pole position in front of the Serpent pairing of World Vice Champion Andrea Cristiani and John Ermen, with another Mugen, that of Rick V. taking the final direct qualifying position in 4th. The 45 minute final started with Robert going straight into the lead, but a mistake behind from Cristiani saw him lose a lot of time in the pits to repair a broken crystal. Behind Pietsch the battle was between John and Rick, but then Ermen too had mechanical problems and had to join early retiree Walter Salemi in watching the race from the stands. With the top 2 positions locked out, the battle was for 3rd spot and this was between Shepherd main man Patrick Schaefer and French racer Louis Christophe with the German holding the 3rd spot, but a crash while passing a lapped car lost the Velox driver over a lap and allowed Louis into the 3rd spot to take the final podium place behind Rick V. in 2nd and Robert Pietsch in 1st, a lap clear up front.

Final Standings
1. Robert Pietsch (Mugen/Novarossi) – 152 Laps
2. Rick Vrielijnck (Mugen/Eagle 21 R9-S) – 151 Laps
3. Christophe Louis (Mugen/GRP) – 149 Laps
4. Romain Picard (Velox/Eagle 21 R9-S) – 149 Laps
5. Patrick Schaefer (Velox/Novarossi) – 148 Laps
6. Stéphane Riccobono (Serpent/RB) – 146 Laps
7. Adrien Bertin (Kyosho/Orion) – 134 Laps
8. Andrea Cristiani (Serpent/Max) – 130 Laps
9. John Ermen (Serpent/Novarossi) – 74 Laps
10. Walter Salemi (Mugen/SM) – 26 Laps

Source: JP Racing [jpracing.com]