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  • Andhra Pradesh planning to start Water Sports Academy

    Andhra Pradesh planning to start Water Sports Academy

    Nicolo di San Germano, Promoter, H2O at Vijayawada on Saturday 17th Nov 2018. Photo Tony Titus

    Amaravati (AP), 17 Nov 2018: A high-standard powerboat Racing Academy is in the offing in Andhra Pradesh and it is only a matter of time before we see Indian drivers taking part in high-performance water sports, said Nicolo di San Germano, Promoter, H2O.

    Talking on the sidelines after the official Formula One H2O driver inter-action on Saturday, the long-standing promoter allayed fears that the World Championship event on the waters of River Krishna will remain as a one-off event. “Our dream is to come back again for many years to come and if our plans go well, even many times in a year in the future. We had talks with the Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and he is very keen to develop a sporting culture in Andhra Pradesh which has a huge coastline. It is not just River Krishna, we are looking at similar circuits on the beach front too,’’ added Nicolo, who has 25 years of experience running the sport worldwide. But the current round of the World Championship agreement is for one year and it is likely to enter the calendar for next year. However, it is not confirmed.

    The Academy would be for children in the age group of 8 to 12 years. It would start from basics and help those aspiring a career in this sport to take up high-performance coaching. “The sport is much cheaper organise and run than a normal level Karting championship and with beautiful rivers like Krishna and other water bodies AP is well suited to embrace the sport,’’ the promoter said.

    “Your CM not only wants to see Indian drivers in international events but one-day we want to see boats made in India take part in Indian colours. If the interest generated and the official thinking is any indication, that day is not far off,’’ he concluded.

    As Promoter, Nicolo was instrumental in his ongoing 25-year tenure in bringing stability, a new direction, improved safety and an ever-broadening geographic footprint encompassing Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Asia and this expansion in India is set to help a growing commercial value. The Andhra Pradesh Government through AP Tourism has pumped in Rs.140 million (Rs.14 crore) into the World Championship Round in Vijayawada, near Amaravati.

  • Splendid double for Max Defourny; Andreas Estner, Patrick Pasma win a race each; MRF Challenge

    Splendid double for Max Defourny; Andreas Estner, Patrick Pasma win a race each; MRF Challenge

    Andreas Estner (No.11) edging past Jamie Chadwick (55) on way to winning Race-3. Photo: Aditya Bedre

    Dubai, 17 Nov 2018: Five races and four winners accurately reflected the highly competitive grid of MRF Challenge as Belgium’s 20-year old Max Defourny achieved a splendid double while Andreas Estner (Germany) and Patrick Pasma (Finland) won the previous two races of the day at the Dubai Autodrome here on Saturday.

    For Defourny, the Round-1 of the MRF Challenge proved memorable as he won Race 1 and 5 apart from podium positions in the other three races. Defourny finished the Round 1 with 106 points, ahead of Great Britain’s Jamie Chadwick (78) and Singapore’s Danial Frost (70), winner of Race 2 yesterday. The MRF Challenge heads to Bahrain (Dec 6-8) for the next round before moving to Chennai (Feb 8-10) for the championship finale.

    Max Defourny. Photo: Aditya Bedre

    Defourny could have done even better, but he messed up his pole-position start in Race-3 where he lost track position by Turn-1 itself in the very first lap, but recovered to finish third. “I think, I could have done better and won a couple of more races. I made a few mistakes, but more important was that I picked up points at the start of the championship. My win in Race 5 was far more satisfying than that in Race 1. I won more comfortably and on tyres that I had used in the previous four races,” said Defourny.

    In the day’s first race, Andreas Estner, was off to a great start, moving from fourth to first as the pack dived into Turn-1, and, thereafter, literally won as he pleased as he left rest of the field, including pole-sitter Max Defourny, scrabbling for positions. While Estner disappeared into the distance, Britisher Jamie Chadwick slotted herself into P2 which she defended gamely against close attention from Defourny with the Belgian first dropping to fourth before tucking himself behind the British girl for the rest of the race.

    Race-4 was all about Pasma who made capital of his reverse grid pole-position start to open up a sizeable lead. Behind him, Defourny set a scorching pace to move from fourth to second and bore down on Pasma. In a tense battle, the Finn defended well to win while Defourny picked up his fourth podium with a second-paced finish ahead of fellow-Belgian Michelangelo Amendola.

    “The pole position gave me a lot of confidence and I managed to open up a good lead. In the last couple of laps, Max (Defourny) was close behind me, but I managed to survive,” said Pasma.

    In the fifth and final race of Round 1, it was Defourny all the way after starting from pole position and with each of the 10 laps, he increased the lead for his second win of the week by nearly 10 seconds. Meanwhile, Chadwick, the only female competitor on the grid, came through a tough midfield battle to finish a deserving second ahead of Singapore’s Danial Frost, winner of Race 1 yesterday.

    India’s Chetan Korada, though finishing way down the grid in all the five races, took some positives from the first round. “I am gradually getting used to the car and this is reflected in my ever-improving timings. I hope to have a better outing in Bahrain next month and hopefully, by the time we get to Chennai in February, I should be more competitive and fighting for mid-grid positions,” said the 32-year old Chennai-based driver competing with a prosthesis leg.

    The results (all 10 laps):

    Race-3: 1. Andreas Estner (Germany); 2. Jamie Chadwick (GBR); 3. Max Defourny (Belgium). Fastest Lap: Defourny (01:57.038). Race-4: 1. Patrick Pasma (Finland); 2. Defourny; 3. Michelangelo Amendola (Belgium). Fastest Lap: Max Defourny (01:58.729). Race-5: 1. Defourny; 2. Chadwick; 3. Danial Frost (Singapore). Fastest Lap: Jamie Chadwick (01:59.402).

     

  • Six factories in three tenths and Viñales on pole: the scene is set in Valencia: MotoGP

    Six factories in three tenths and Viñales on pole: the scene is set in Valencia: MotoGP

    Maverick Vinales takes pole in Valencia on Saturday. Photo: MotoGP

    Valencia, 17 Nov 2018: After a sensational final battle for pole in 2018, Q1 graduate Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) was the man to take P1 in Q2 at the Gran Premio Motul de la Comunitat Valenciana after setting a 1:31.312. This was enough to edge out second place Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) by 0.068 and third place Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) by 0.080 in a close top three, with the scene set for an awesome final fight of the year in the MotoGP World Championship. Reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), meanwhile, crashed, dislocated his shoulder, then headed back out to claim a miraculous P5  and Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) starts way down in P16.A piece of history was also made in Valencia GP Q2 as all six current manufacturers finished inside the top eight in qualifying – the first time it’s ever happened.

    It was seven-time Champion Marquez who led the field onto the first flying lap but then at Turn 4, the 2018 Champion suddenly lost the front and went down – seemingly dislocating his left shoulder in the process. Marquez headed straight back to the Repsol Honda motorhome, but soon after he headed back out…

    The three fastest men in qualifying L-R: Rins, Viñales and Dovizioso

    Back on track it was Dovizioso who was setting the pace, but then Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) got the better of his compatriot to set the first 1:31 of the session before blitzing the field again on his next lap – a 1:31.531 becoming the time to beat. Then with six minutes to go, a warrior emerged in the form of Marquez as he left pitlane and all eyes were on the seven-time Champion. Before the 93 crossed the line though, Viñales shot to the top to take provisional pole…

    Red sectors were lighting up the screens in the final minutes of the session though and it was Viñales who went quicker again to make 0.068 his margin at the top, with the miraculous Marquez climbing back up to P3. The World Champion then had a moment at Turn 1 to end his session, but there was still time for change elsewhere as Rins was then threatening to take pole on his final lap. In the end, however, a breathless qualifying ended with Viñales spearheading the grid after his first pole on a Saturday since Aragon last year, with his Americas GP pole this season resulting from a Marquez penalty. Rins and ‘DesmoDovi’ complete the front row, and Petrucci is top Independent Team rider in fourth, gunning for that title on Sunday too. Marquez’ miracle top-five performance sees him remain well in the mix, too.

    Just behind the reigning Champion, sixth made it a great day for Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) with the Spaniard just 0.265 from pole in KTM’s equal best qualifying performance. He was just ahead of Q1 graduate Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) in P7, with Aleix Espargaro’s (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) P8 the final piece in the puzzle that saw all six manufacturers inside the top eight, split by just 0.318.

    In his final ever qualifying, Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) claimed P9 to start from the outside of the third row after some difficulties in FP4 that affected his QP, with Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) suffering his fourth crash of the weekend to start P10 but automatically through to Q2 once again. While on a lap that was 0.3 under, Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) also crashed at Turn 10 to start P11 – rider ok, with Michele Pirro (Ducati Team) settling for P12 after making it straight into Q2 from Free Practice.

    After failing to make it through Q1, Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) starts P16  after a tough day at the office. What can ‘The Doctor’ do from there in the final race of the season? If the race is anything like qualifying was, then we’re in for an absolute treat. Tune in for the season finale at 14:00 local time (GMT +1)!

    MotoGP™ Qualifying Results
    1 – Maverick Viñales (SPA) YAMAHA 2’31.312
    2 – Alex Rins (SPA) SUZUKI +0.068
    3 – Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) DUCATI +0.080
    First Independent Team Rider:
    4 – Danilo Petrucci (ITA) DUCATI +0.102
  • Anderson qualifies 5th; Shaun takes pole: UIM F1h2o World Championship

    Anderson qualifies 5th; Shaun takes pole: UIM F1h2o World Championship

    Anderson on a flying lap which got him the P5 with one minute to go in Q3. Photo Tony Titus

    Amaravati (AP, India), 17 Nov 2018: Sweden’s Jonas Andersson of Team Amaravati, the Indian team for the F1H2O World Championship was the fifth quickest in the Q3 after just managing to enter the last qualyfying session at the fag end with 6th best time. Torrente Shaun clocked the fastest time in the 2.125km circuit doing the fastest of the two laps in 44.54sec.

    In his 8th season, he got his third pole from 45th start and being third in the championship with 53 points, will be gunning for a victory to take the lead as the Formula 1 H2O goes into the final stages with three more rounds left.

    Anderson of Team Amaravati was 0.68 seconds behind in P5, timing 45.22. Stromoy Merit timed 44.72 to qulify in P2 while Stark Erik did 45 dead for the third place.

    Earlier in the second practice session on Saturday morning. Driving the Powerboat in Yellow and Red Amaravati colours in the #14 livery, Anderson clocked 47.22sec for P5 even as top guns Team Abu Dhabi’s Erik Stark grabbed top spot in the closing stages of an intriguing second practice session with a handful of drivers enjoying a spell at the top of the time sheets.

    Stark’s teammate Shaun Torrente ousted Victory’s Alex Carella from top spot and went quickest with 10 minutes of the 60 remaining but was then eclipsed by Ahmed Al Hameli who looked to have put Victory back on top with a 46.42s lap.

    But with a minute to go Stark produced his best run with a 45.97s lap and was the only driver to go sub 46 seconds.

    Team Amaravati’s Jonas Andersson was again in the mix and on the pace in fifth place, with Marit Stromoy, who topped the session early on, ending the morning in sixth spot.

    SECOND PRACTICE – results (top six):

    1. 35 Erik Stark (swe) – 45.97s
    2. 3 Ahmed Al Hameli (uae) – 46.42s
    3. 6 Shaun Torrente (usa/*uae) – 46.74s
    4. 1 Alex Carella (ita/*uae) – 46.84s
    5. 14 Jonas Andersson (Swe- Team Amaravati) – 47.22s
    6. 50 Marit Stromoy (nor) – 47.29s

    (*denotes international racing super license)

    POS COUNTRY BOAT DRIVER Q1 Q2 Q3
    1 6 Shaun Torrente 0:47.85 0:45.82 0:44.54
    2 50 Marit Stromoy 0:47.63 0:46.38 0:44.72
    3 35 Erik Stark 0:47.50 0:46.04 0:45.00
    4 5 Thani Al Qemzi 0:47.02 0:45.91 0:45.06
    5 14 Jonas Andersson 0:46.81 0:46.58 0:45.22
    6 3 Ahmed Al Hameli 0:48.08 0:46.55 0:45.23
    7 8 Peter Morin 0:47.89 0:47.04
    8 1 Alex Carella 0:47.65 0:47.25
    9 37 Francesco Cantando 0:48.24 0:47.50
    10 7 Philippe Chiappe 0:47.95 0:47.52
    11 10 Duarte Benavente 0:48.56 0:47.91
    12 51 Bartek Marszalek 0:48.09
    13 9 Grant Trask 0:48.82
    14 12 Filip Roms 0:48.98
    15 11 Sami Selio 0:49.37
    16 73 Cédric Deguisne 0:50.84
    17 36 Simone Bianca Schuft 0:54.85
    18 74 Suttiphan Sookbuangbon 0:55.00
    19 15 Erik Edin 0:57.03

    For full classifications:

    https://www.f1h2o.com/results/2018/grand-prix-of-india/f1h2o

  • Abu Dhabi’s Shaun Torrente on pole for Grand Prix of India; Team Amaravati’s Anderson 5th

    Abu Dhabi’s Shaun Torrente on pole for Grand Prix of India; Team Amaravati’s Anderson 5th

    Shaun Torrente of Sweden take pole position for the Grand Prix of India. Photo Tony Titus

    Amaravati (AP, India) 17 Nov 2018: Team Abu Dhabi’s Shaun Torrente produced a stunning final run in today’s top-six shootout to cap a thrilling BRM Official Qualifying session, setting the fastest time with a 44.54s lap around the five-pin 1.125km circuit on the Krishna River and will start tomorrow’s Grand Prix of India from pole position.

    Norway’s Marit Stromoy produced her best qualifying session of the season and went second quickest for Emirates Racing with a 44.72s lap, Abu Dhabi’s Erik Stark sealing third spot with a time of 45.00s.

    Torrente was made to work hard for his seventh career-pole and his third of the season, leaving it late into Q2 and sitting outside the top six before jumping to the top of the time sheets to progress into the shootout on his final lap as the clock timed out the 20 minute session, his Abu Dhabi teammates Thani Al Qemzi and Stark locking out the top three spots.

    Victory Team’s Alex Carella was the big loser in the middle session after having his best lap time of 46.27s deleted for cutting the course, dropping him to eighth and elevating Stromoy to fourth, Victory’s Ahmed Al Hameli to fifth and handing a lifeline and shootout slot to Team Amaravati’s Jonas Andersson.

    Andersson opened the shootout with a best lap of 45.22s which Al Hameli was unable to better, missing out by a mere one hundredths of a second.

    Next out was Stromoy and targeting a first pole position since Portugal in 2011 and immediately posted the fastest time of the day with a staggering 44.72s lap to take the provisional pole. Stark followed and produced his best time on his first run but missed out by 0.26s with Al Thani’s time of 45.06s eventually putting him fourth.

    Torrente was last out and the tension mounted as he pulled out of his first run and was suddenly under massive pressure to deliver the team its fourth pole of the season, but then produced a simply breath taking run to snatch pole position from Stromoy by 0.18s. “The whole day was a series of mistakes by me and then to get it done at the last second is great,” Torrente said. “In Q2 I changed to a bigger propeller which I thought I needed and I did. But with less than 30 seconds to go I was out. But I made a good solid lap and went P1. Then in Q3 having seen Marit’s time which was huge I pressed too hard and made a mistake so I aborted and just had to pull out a near perfect lap, which I did.”

    It was another massively frustrating day for the CTIC Shenzhen China F1 duo who have been struggling with engine issues and ahead of a race that they really need to be running in the top three or four to keep any flickering title hopes alive, but now face a huge mountain to climb with Peter Morin qualifying in seventh and Philippe Chiappe in tenth behind Blaze Performance’s Francesco Cantando, the man who won in Mumbai in 2004.

    Today’s result, with the Abu Dhabi trio starting one-three and four tomorrow, brings the likelihood of them all but closing out the title race a step closer as they bid for an unprecedented third successive Grand Prix podium lockout, the woman standing in their way is Marit Stromoy who is bidding for a second Grand Prix win.

    BRM Official Qualifying – Top Six Shootout

    1. 6 Shaun Torrente (usa/*uae) – 44.54s

    2. 50 Marit Stromoy (nor) – 44.72s

    3. 35 Erik Stark (swe/*uae) – 45.00

    4. 5 Thani Al Qemzi (uae) – 45.06s

    5. 14 Jonas Andersson (swe) – 45.22s

    6. 3 Ahmed Al Hameli (uae) – 45.23s

    (*denotes international racing super license)

    For full classifications:

    https://www.f1h2o.com/results/2018/grand-prix-of-india/f1h2o

  • Mad Croc’s Mihaldinecz wins Race 1 in F4-S: Powerboat Racing World Championship

    Mad Croc’s Mihaldinecz wins Race 1 in F4-S: Powerboat Racing World Championship

    F4 S winner on Saturday. A F1H2O image

    Amaravati (AP, India) 17 Nov 2018: Veteran driver Rudi Mihaldinecz used all his experience to take victory in the first of this weekend’s two races in the F4-S Championship in Amaravati, the support race for the UIM F1H2O powerboat racing World Championship at Vijayawada on Saturday.

    In a highly entertaining race Mad Croc BABA Racing’s Hungarian driver led the race from pole position, but a mistake on lap 4 allowed series debutant Jeff Jelf to take the lead for Team Amaravati which he held onto until lap 12 when yellow flag was raised to allow race marshals to remove the stationary Blaze Performance driver Max Stilz.

    At the restart on lap 16 Mihaldinecz immediately jumped Jelf to retake the lead, going on to win the 20-lap race by 5.22s with Jelf in pursuit but coming up short.

    The middle order produced a great scrap before and after the yellow, Stilz running in third from F1 Atlantic’s Sam Whittle until both were passed on lap 9 by Victory’s Ahmed Al Fahim.

    The yellow flag bunched up the pack with Whittle making up a place after Al Fahim hooked and dropped to sixth, with Emirates Racing’s Tom Chaippe also taking advantage as well as getting the better of Abu Dhabi’s Mohamed Al Mehairbi to move up and take fourth.

    For full classifications:

    https://www.f1h2o.com/results/2018/grand-prix-of-india/f4-s

  • Ogier, Ingrassia in sight of sixth WRC crown; disaster stalks Gaurav Gill, squanders big lead

    Ogier, Ingrassia in sight of sixth WRC crown; disaster stalks Gaurav Gill, squanders big lead

    All about holding position for Sebastien Ogier. Photo: M-Sport

    Coffs Harbour, 17 November 2018: M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s three EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRCs have made it through the second day of competition at Kennards Hire Rally Australia – ready to play their part in an epic title fight that is set to go down to the wire. The FIA World Rally Championship for Manufacturers may be all but gone, but a sixth crown for Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia is within sight and the Cumbrian squad will be giving their all to defend their driver and co-driver titles tomorrow.

    Meanwhile, India’s Gaurav Gill (co-driver Glenn Maneall of Australia) of team MRF Tyres, driving the M-Sport prepared Ford Fiesta R5 in the RC2 class, went off the road to squander his seemingly winning lead. Gill, leading overnight, increased his lead at the start of Saturday’s Stages, but in the day’s third test, he slid off the road which undid all the earlier good work. He eventually finished the day sixth Overall in the class after rejoining the Rally under the Super Rally format.

    Six is the magic number, and all Ogier needs to do is remain in sixth place with Thierry Neuville behind in the standings – do that and the crown belongs to Ogier once more; regardless of what fellow rival Ott Tänak can do at the head of the field or what either contender can muster in the Power Stage.

    Team Principal, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: “We are witnessing a truly golden age of rallying and it is fantastic to watch – albeit pretty nerve-wracking too! Whoever comes out on top tomorrow will be a deserving champion, and everyone in the service park can consider themselves winners for providing such a spectacular show.

    “It was a bit of a frustrating day with all three of our drivers clearing the loose gravel, but we saw some good times in the Super Specials and – most importantly – Sébastien and Julien are where they need to be to clinch the title. Anything can happen over the closing stages, but it’s looking good at the moment.”

    OGIER AND INGRASSIA SIXTH AFTER 18 STAGES

    Ogier and Ingrassia are doing exactly what they need to do. Having to contend with the worst of the road cleaning this weekend, it hasn’t been possible to fight for the victory –but that is not the main objective. The main objective is the defence of their championship, and they’re on course to achieve that through tomorrow’s closing stages.

    Ogier said: “The loose gravel has made it a difficult rally for us so far, but it’s been a positive day in terms of the championship and I’m very happy with that. First on the road yesterday was really tough. Fifth on the road today was a little bit better, but we still lost a lot of time compared to the guys starting further back. It was a bit frustrating sometimes, but the main target is the championship and scoring the points we need. That’s what we’re doing at the moment, but tomorrow’s final kilometres will feel pretty long and we’ll need to be focused.”

    EVANS AND BARRITT PLACED SEVENTH

    lfyn Evans and Daniel Barritt are the team players of the year and continue to aid Ogier and Ingrassia in their quest for a sixth FIA World Rally Championship title. Handing Ogier a more advantageous road position yesterday evening, Evans continued to push hard through today’s stages – keeping Neuville behind and showing his speed through both passes of Raleigh (SS12 and SS16).

    Evans said: “We all knew it would be difficult being early on the road today. The gravel was really loose and you could see how much it was cleaning and how much faster the road was getting with every car. Still, we delivered a clean and tidy drive and it was nice to show some speed through both passes of the Raleigh stage.”

    SUNINEN AND MARKKULA IN NINTH SPOT

    Teemu Suninen and Mikko Markkula are contesting Rally Australia for the first time this weekend and showed their potential with some quick times though yesterday’s stages. But the young Finn couldn’t find the same rhythm today and struggling to harness the same level of performance through the loose gravel. A quick learner, Suninen improved over the second pass and will be keen to further his experience tomorrow.

    Suninen said: “Today has been more difficult for me and I still have a lot to learn about how to drive in this loose gravel. I didn’t have the best rhythm, but we got a bit better in the afternoon and now there is just one more day to go.”

    OVERALL CLASSIFICATION

    1. Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja (Toyota Yaris WRC) 2:07:52.0
    2. Jari-Matti Latvala / Miikka Anttila (Toyota Yaris WRC) +21.9
    3. Hayden Paddon / Sebastian Marshall (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +26.3
    4. Mads Østberg / Torstein Eriksen (Citroen C3 WRC) +46.6
    5. Esapekka Lappi / Janne Ferm (Toyota Yaris WRC) +50.4
    6. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC) +1:44.8
    7. Elfyn Evans / Daniel Barritt (Ford Fiesta WRC) +2:04.6
    8. Thierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +2:35.2
    9. Teemu Suninen / Mikko Markkula (Ford Fiesta WRC) +2:49.0
    10. Craig Breen / Scott Martin (Citroen C3 WRC) +6:26.8
  • F1 powerboat racing champinship inaugurated; Team India’s Anderson 2nd fastest in extra FP

    F1 powerboat racing champinship inaugurated; Team India’s Anderson 2nd fastest in extra FP

    Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu poses with Amaravati Team India after inaugurating the event on Friday. An F1inIndia image

    Amaravati (AP, India), 16 Nov 2018:  US driver Shaun Torrente representing Abu Dhabi team was the fastest topping the time-sheets in the Extra Free Practice session that was held after the inauguration in the as the UIM F1H2O Grand Prix of India in Amaravati, started on Friday.

    After a colourful inauguration by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the event began with an extra FP. Free Practice and Qualification will be held on Saturday while the races will be on Sunday. F4 race will also be on Saturday.

    Team Abu Dhabi trio was the best in the opening session and  Torrente ran 16 laps with a best time of 45.64s around the 2.125km 5-pin circuit on the Krishna River waters, I.40s quicker than teammate and championship leader Thani Al Qemzi. “The session went well and backed up the testing that we did earlier this month in Abu Dhabi,” Torrente said. “I didn’t have to run too many laps and the engine is not a 100 percent yet and as it was practice I didn’t want to push too much or take any risks. Now we just have to try to figure out what the weather is going to do over the next couple of days. Today it wasn’t great!”

    Erik Stark who sits between the two in the overall standings was limited to just two laps due to an electrical issue and failed to post a competitive time.

    Team India’s Anderson finishes opening session time sheets in second

    Jonas Andersson gave the enthusiastic home crowd something to cheer posting a 46.25s lap in his Team Amaravati DAC to go second quickest, 0.61s off top spot, with teammate Erik Edin struggling with engine issue and down in 14th. “I took it easy at the beginning and was struggling to find the right setting on the engine but in the end it was good,” he said. “Now I am just going to check everything is okay and decide which engine to use tomorrow.”

    Alex Carella gave Victory Team a much-needed boost of confidence running 32 laps in the new boat and setting the third fastest time of the session with a 46.58s lap, teammate Ahmed Al Hameli four-tenths back in eighth. “Today was really encouraging for us. I have a very good feeling in this new boat which we tested in Dubai and then shipped out here,” said Carella. The set-up was pretty good and I just really felt comfortable in the boat. For me it is the best boat we have run this season.”

    Despite some issues with a power drop off when she went tight into the turns Emirates Racing’s Marit Stromoy was still able to pull off the fifth quickest time with a 47.13s lap and edging teammate Bartek Marszalek by 0.06seconds.

    Peter Morin was the best of the CTIC F1 Shenzhen China duo in seventh with Philippe Chiappe in tenth and ahead of Mad Croc BABA Racing’s Sami Selio who ran both his boats and was relieved to get through a session without breaking anything.

    Today’s session, which marked the return of the UIM F1H2O World Championship to India for the first time in 14 years, was flagged off by the Chief Minister of the State of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naido, who was accompanied by Nicolo di san Germano, President of H2O Racing and Dr. Raffaele Chiulli, President of the Union Internationale Motonautiqe (UIM), the sport’s World Governing Body and who was recently confirmed as the new head of The Council of the Global Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF).

    Saturday’s practice session is at 11:15hrs [local] with BRM Official Qualifying starting at 15:30hrs.

  • Danial Frost, Max Defourny share honours on Day One in MRF Challenge

    Danial Frost, Max Defourny share honours on Day One in MRF Challenge

    Danial Frost, winner of Race-2 on Friday. Photo: Anand Philar

    Dubai, 16 Nov 2018: Danial Frost from Singapore and Belgian Max Defourny scored a race and a podium apiece to open their accounts in the first round of MRF Challenge at the Dubai Autodrome, here on Friday. Three more races are scheduled for tomorrow.

    Frost, 17, in his second season in the championship, thus notched his maiden win by topping Race-2 after having finished third in Race-1 that Defourny, 20, won from pole position.

    In Race-1, Frost made five places to come in third and in the next outing, climbed from fourth on the reverse grid to win. In contrast, Defourny dominated Race-1 with a lights-to-flag victory and in the next race, sliced his way through from sixth on the reverse grid to finish third behind pole-sitter Czech Republic’s Petr Ptacek who did well to hold off the Belgian over the last couple of laps.

    “I had a good start and made positions in the very first lap before taking the lead. Thereafter, I consolidated my track position and it was quite comfortable in the end,” said Frost.

    Earlier, Defourny put his pole position start to best use in Race-1 and was never seriously challenged even as he nursed his early lead though eschewing risk. Behind him, Jamie Chadwick, 20, who started second, slipped a bit, losing a couple of track positions, but recovered to regain her second spot while Frost drove well to finish third from eighth on the grid.

    India’s Chetan Korada, making his debut in the championship, was placed 10th and 12th in the two races. He started Race-1 from the pitlane following an engine change, but said he was pleased to improve his lap times while getting used to the car.

    After Race-1, Defourny said: “The race wasn’t too bad. Missed the fastest lap as I was trying to be a bit cautious on the tyres because it was the first race of the season. Was saving my tyres in the beginning and was expecting more track improvement as the race progressed. I opened a comfortable gap and did not want to make any mistakes, though I missed the fastest lap in the last two laps, wanting to save the tyres.”

    Earlier, the qualifying session in the morning gradually developed into a two-way battle between Defourny and Chadwick who was provisionally on pole with just a few minutes left on the clock with a 01:57.177. The 20-year old Belgian’s response was a 01:56.819 which eventually ensured him the pole position. Chadwick, also 20, then replied with her best lap of the session, 01:56.937, but had to be content with the second spot on the grid.

    “It was my first time out here and it was ok. We managed to get pole for Race 1 and Race 3. So we are positive. We had some issues with the gearbox leading to loss of speed, but we managed to sort it out. I already have two points for pole position and we hope to take as many points as possible from this round,” said Defourny.

    The results:

    Race-1 (10 laps): 1. Max Defourny (Belgium); 2. Jamie Chadwick (GBR); 3. Danial Frost (Singapore). Race-2 (10 laps): 1. Frost; 2. Petr Ptacek (Czech Republic); 3. Defourny.

    Qualifying (30 minutes): 1. Max Defourny (Belgium) (01:56.819); 2. Jamie Chadwick (UK) (01:56.937); 3. Andreas Estner (Germany) (01:57.502); 4. Dylan Young (Australia) (01:57.730).

  • Ogier, Ingrassia manage to stay ahead in the battle for WRC crown: Kennards Hire Rally Australia

    Ogier, Ingrassia manage to stay ahead in the battle for WRC crown: Kennards Hire Rally Australia

    Sebastien Ogier in action in Kennards Rally Australia. Photo: M-Sport

    Coffs Harbour, 16 November 2018: Fighting to defend their FIA World Rally Championships, M-Sport Ford World Rally Team’s Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia have taken the advantage through a thrilling opening day of competition at Kennards Hire Rally Australia. Going into the final round just three points ahead of Thierry Neuville, Ogier had to keep his rival in sight and was doing just that when Neuville dropped 40 seconds through the second pass of Sherwood (SS6) – giving the M-Sport man the upper hand.

    Aided by his two team-mates, Ogier gained a further two places when Elfyn Evans and Teemu Suninen strategically dropped behind their comrade, and goes into the second day of competition three places and 33.7 seconds ahead of rival Neuville.

    The championship pendulum may be swinging in Ogier’s favour at the moment, but the team knows that this fight is far from over and will continue to push hard through the weekend.

    Team Principal, Malcolm Wilson OBE, said: “It feels strange to say that it’s been a good day when we’re sitting in seventh, eighth and ninth, but we’re in a good position when it comes to the driver and co-driver championships which are our main objectives this weekend. Sébastien and Julien had a tough day opening the road, but they didn’t let the frustration distract them from the main objective. They pushed hard, didn’t put a foot wrong, and when Thierry [Neuville] lost time they were able to take the advantage.

    “We were then able to strengthen that advantage by strategically moving Elfyn and Teemu behind – which shows just how much of a team sport this can be come the end of the season. Both our young drivers have driven well today, and it was great to see their support. We’re all competitors and it’s never easy to concede a position, but everyone has worked together to give Sébastien and Julien the best possible chance going into the weekend. A second drivers’ title is the goal, but this fight is far from over and a lot can still happen over the next two days!”

    Ogier and Ingrassia had their work cut out through the opening day of competition at Rally Australia – leading the championship and therefore tasked with the arduous job of sweeping a clean line through some of the loosest gravel of the year.

    But the defending World Champions have been here before and overcame the frustration with a note-perfect performance. Pushing hard, the French pairing gave it everything and didn’t put a foot wrong – crucially ending the day ahead of their main championship rival.

    “Every stage has been like a Power Stage for us today. Opening the road is really tough here and we had to push really hard through every stage. It’s always a little frustrating when you’re not in a position to fight for the top results, but that’s the way it is.

    “Unlike our rivals, we didn’t make any mistakes and we’re in a good position for the championship which is the main objective this weekend. A big thanks to my team mates also for their help this afternoon which should make our road position better for tomorrow.”

    Ely Evans. Photo: M-Sport

    Evans and Barritt delivered a solid drive through the first day of competition at Rally Australia. In a tight fight for the top positions, the Brits were rarely more than a handful of seconds adrift of the fastest stage times, and ended the penultimate gravel stage less than 20 seconds adrift of the lead.

    Heading into the final loose-surface test of the day, Evans and Barritt proved once again why they should be dubbed team-mates of the year – dropping behind Ogier and Ingrassia to give the Frenchmen the best possible road position as the title fight continues into the weekend.

    “We focused on delivering a clean and tidy drive through today’s stages. The competition was really close and I think we did a pretty good job – not far from the lead before the last gravel stage of the day. But this is a team sport as well as an individual one and we had to play our part to give Seb the best possible position going into the weekend. We’re all competitors and we all want to compete, but we’re also here to do a job for the team and we have to respect that.”

    Teemu Sunninen. Photo: M-Sport

    Suninen and Markkula have quickly got to grips with Rally Australia. Contesting the event for the first time this weekend, the pairing are under strict instruction to learn the stages and gain as much experience as possible, but that didn’t stop them showcasing their speed.

    Building his knowledge and confidence with every kilometre, Suninen continues to prove his potential and set the second fastest time through the second pass of Coldwater (SS5) – just 0.1 seconds adrift of the stage win. The young Finn was also the second fastest man through the following speed test (SS6) – continuing to demonstrate his speed before playing the team game and slowing to fall behind Ogier in the overall standings.

    “I think we’ve had a good day. The pace has been good and we were able to improve a lot over the second pass – just 0.1 seconds away from a stage win on the middle one this afternoon [SS5]. On the next stage we had to give the position to Seb, but that’s part of the game – he’s fighting for the championship and we need to play our part to help him.”

    Overall classification (WRC):

    1. Mads Østberg / Torstein Eriksen (Citroen C3 WRC) 53:37.4
    2. Craig Breen / Scott Martin (Citroen C3 WRC) +6.8
    3. Jari-Matti Latvala / Miikka Anttila (Toyota Yaris WRC) +8.7
    4. Hayden Paddon / Sebastian Marshall (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +12.5
    5. Ott Tänak / Martin Järveoja (Toyota Yaris WRC) +16.9
    6. Esapekka Lappi / Janne Ferm (Toyota Yaris WRC) +28.3
    7. Sébastien Ogier / Julien Ingrassia (Ford Fiesta WRC) +38.2
    8. Elfyn Evans / Daniel Barritt (Ford Fiesta WRC) +45.2
    9. Teemu Suninen / Mikko Markkula (Ford Fiesta WRC) +47.2
    10. Thierry Neuville / Nicolas Gilsoul (Hyundai i20 Coupe WRC) +1:11.9