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[Formula Renault Eurocup] Koiranen bros: Two times in the Top 5 in Oschersleben |
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Monday, 24 April 2006 |
Koiranen bros: Two times in the Top 5 in Oschersleben
The new Formula Renault North European Championship started this weekend, in the German track of Oschersleben. Both Koiranen bros. Motorsport drivers had good performances during the weekend, with Atte Mustonen finishing twice in the top 5.
Free Practice
Atte carried on his good form from the latest winter tests: He was among the fastest drivers during the entire session, and finished with the 3rd best time, very close to the fastest, leaving everything in the open for the qualifying sessions.
Tomi Limmonen did a very good job, finishing with the 8th fastest time. He was well ahead of drivers with a lot more experience than him. He did not use a second set of new tires, so his lap time could have been even better.
Qualifying
The track was damp for the double qualifying session, but getting drier as the session went on. Atte qualified 5th and 6th which was a little disappointing, since we expected to be closer to the front. Tomi qualified in 10th place for both races, which was a very good result for him!
These results were not final as there were penalties for several drivers for ignoring yellow flags or crossing the pit exit line, including Atte. As a result his best time of the second session was taken away, which meant he lost a place for Race 2.
Race 1
Atte had a good start and gained one place. He was able to keep up with the three leading cars during the entire race. It looked like he was a little faster than Maassen, but just not enough to pass him. In the last laps Andersen, who was leading, had technical problems and started to slow down. He lost two places, and Atte also tried to overtake him on the finish line. It was very close, but unfortunately not enough to finish the opening race of the season on the podium: Atte finished 4th just 0.1s behind 3rd placed Andersen!
Tomi struggled a bit in his first ever Formula Renault start, and lost some positions. He was then able to pick up the pace and catch up with the cars in front of him. He made a mistake in the 4th lap and spun. He was able to rejoin, but on the next corner was hit by another car, ending his race there and then.
Race 2
The second race was very uneventful for Atte. Starting from 7th position on the grid he gained two places in the first lap. He then held 5th position until the end of the race. Tomi started well, and was running in 8th position in the first laps. He was in a group of cars during the entire race, and was able to keep up the pace and defend his position. However, he made a mistake which cost him one position, and finished the race in 9th.
In the end the weekend was positive for the team. If qualifying had gone a little better Atte would have probably been able to fight for the victory in both races. Tomi did a very good job all weekend, and as the season progresses we expect him to be even closer to the front.
From here the team goes directly to Zolder, in Belgium, for the opening round of the Formula Renault Eurocup!
www.koiranenbros.net
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