Formula Renault
EU Megane: Series Estoril Friday test notes
Rossi and Martin ready for battle There has been little to choose between Michael Rossi (TDS) and Maxime Martin (Thierry Boutsen Energy Racing) all season. Today at Estoril, the two men once again came out on top of the Eurocup Megane Trophy ...
Published: Sep 27, 2008, 8:39 AM
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Rossi and Martin ready for battle
There has been little to choose between Michael Rossi (TDS) and Maxime Martin (Thierry Boutsen Energy Racing) all season. Today at Estoril, the two men once again came out on top of the Eurocup Megane Trophy field. As is the case in the overall standings, Rossi was first and Martin second, but the latter is determined to turn the tables this weekend.
The sun was out at Estoril for this day of Eurocup Megane Trophy collective testing, which saw Cesar Campanico (Oregon Team), who finished third in the 2006 Eurocup Megane Trophy, making his return to the category in his home country.
Michael Rossi (TDS), Maxime Martin (Thierry Boutsen Energy Racing) and Dimitri Enjalbert (Tech 1 Racing) were all quick off the mark, Enjalbert snatching the lead off Rossi no sooner had he taken it, before Maxime Martin set a new fastest time of 1'44''877 in mid-session.
As the end of the first session approached, there was a flurry of quick times. Dimitri Enjalbert reclaimed the lead, but Maxime Martin had the last word with a lap clocked at 1'44''482, the fastest of the session. Enjalbert was second, with Rossi in third and Sebastien Dhouailly (Lompech Sport) and Matthieu Cheruy (Tech 1 Racing) rounding off the top 5.
In the afternoon, the drivers opted for long runs despite the heat. Michael Rossi led for the first quarter of an hour, before Dimitri Enjalbert dislodged him. Neither man could better the time Maxime Martin had set in the morning, however.
As the halfway mark approached, Fabrice Walfisch (Oregon Team) clocked his fastest lap of the day in 1'44''464. He was followed by his teammate Cesar Campanico, who wasted no time in getting re-accustomed to Eurocup Megane Trophy action!
As is so often the case, the positions changed hands at the end of the session, with the championship top three - Michael Rossi, Maxime Martin and Dimitri Enjalbert in that order - reasserting their authority by claiming the top three places.
Michael Rossi: "It wasn't easy today! I had a few technical problems this morning but we solved them. This afternoon I broke the rear left-hand shock absorber, so we ended up spending the best part of the session repairing the car. I got back out there for three quick laps and drove aggressively, just like in qualifying! It's really tight between Dimitri, Maxime and me. The rivalry is really bringing out the best in us."
Maxime Martin: We just went about our business today. I never focus on my position in collective testing. Everything is progressing as planned. Our car is in good shape.
Dimitri Enjalbert: This morning things went well. It was a bit trickier this afternoon, as I couldn't get a clear lap in. So I stayed out on track for a long time, trying to understand the circuit section by section. There's no pressure on me compared to Martin and Rossi. They are the ones competing for the title. I'm just there to try and win some races!
-credit: wsbyrenault.com
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