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published: 2012-07-24 09:18:44 (58312) Author: Oli_M

Matsukura Quickest on Monday

Defending Champ Tops Qualifying List
Naoto Matsukura, the defending World Champion, ended Monday's qualifying on top of the time sheets. The Japanese driver was the only person to post any 39 lap runs, something he did in three of the five rounds.

The other drivers feel that this is now a race for second place, which is currently headed by Jilles Groskamp. The Dutch driver, who used to call MACH home until movign to Thailand a year ago, ran five consistent 38 lap runs.

Marc Rheinard sits third overall. In Round 4 he was in fact matching Naoto during their qualifying run, until he hit the high speed chicane at about half distance, breaking his car.
Alexander Hagberg sits fourth overall, within sight of Jilles and Marc, and Ronald Volker holds fifth. The German Touring Car expert had a bad start to the day, sitting last overall after his first two rounds both resulted in DNF's. He picked up the pace in the later rounds, posting three 38 lap runs.

Aside from Matsukura, the only other non-European driver in the top ten currently is Hideo Kitazawa in ninth.

Tuesday has one more qualifying run, followed by three leg finals. You can keep up with all the news at www.EFRA.ws