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The track layout
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On the weekend of November 23/24, 2002, drivers from many European countries meet at an EFRA GP race in Prague. Along with the GP race, the official Czech Republic championship took place at the same race event. As the event was on the same dates as the NATO summit held in Prague, numerous racers were uneasy about attending and canceled their entry just few days before the race. As it turned out, over 100 drivers gathered together to have a wonderful fun time but also an exciting and thrilling race event.

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XRAY pits
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The tires for this race were the Orion B tires and all other rules adhered to the EFRA rules. The track was built at a sport centre so the pits had abundant room. The track was very tight with a lot of corners and was very challenging. Practice was on schedule the whole day Friday and the timed practice divided drivers into heats. Qualifiers were on the schedule the whole day Saturday. As the grip of the track completely changed compared to the conditions on Friday, almost everyone struggled to chase the track, and were wrenching the whole day trying to find the best setup.

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Jilles Groskamp
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The best run was also the last run on Saturday evening when Benjamin Groschel finished as first followed very closely by Jilles Gorskamp and Peter Pinish in third. It was really a tight qualifier as Jilles and Peter Pinish had identical times, even exact to the hundredths. Even with the same result, Jilles was put on the starting line in the third spot for the finals.

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Oscar and Juraj
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In the first final Benjamin Groschel well started and made a gap in the lead as heavy traffic behind him involved almost all cars. It wasn't until the end of that final that Jilles managed to fight through to second place.

In the second final Benjamin Groschel again started from the first spot, and lead from start to finish. Behind Groschel was again a tough race, Jilles trying to pass Graversen for a long time but without chance on the very tight track. In one corner both made a slide contact that made Graversen spin and gave a space for Jilles to pass him. But Jilles, as fair driver, stopped and waited until Graversen returned back to the race and Jilles lined behind him. Applause erupted from the crowd for Jilles' fair-play driving style. Nothing changed by the end of the race and Jilles finished in third spot. So after the second final we already knew the winner of the GP race but the fight for 2nd and 3rd places was still on.

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Top 3
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In the third final Jilles moved after start to the second position and pushed very hard on the first car. On the tight track, and with a car in front of him that didn't make any mistakes, it was not possible to make a pass. The first two cars made a big gap driving very tightly and it was exciting to watch both first two cars in such tight formation. After a few laps Graversen caught up to the first two cars and began pushing on Jilles in second. It was already clear Jilles would not have a chance to pass the first place car, but also could not let third place Graversen pass him. However, in the very last corner between Jilles and the first place car gave space for Graversen to pass them right at the finish line. Exciting to see a result can be changed a meter in front of the finishing line!

The final results of the GP after the very tight and exciting race:
1. Benjamin Groschel/ Losi
2. Stev Gravensen/ Tamiya
3. Jilles Groskamp / XRAY
4. Peter Pinish
5. Hubert Honigl
6. Kaerup Jonas
7. Alexander Stocker
8. Hans Tormann
9. Thomas Pumpler
10. Martin Fisch


Along with the GP race a Czech National Championship 2002 took place. After a tight race it was Ales Pelikan / XRAY who managed for the third time in a row to become the Czech champion.

In the Junior's group it was Nemecek / XRAY who also managed to win the Czech championship title for the third time in a row as well.

The race was very exciting but very challenging as almost everybody struggled with grip and most drivers wrenched their cars the whole weekend. The organization was second to none and everybody had a great time. We look forward to the GP Prague 2003.