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Race report by Pedro Rombouts
The 4th round of the Nitro West Masters took place on Dutch soil at the EVMC track at Velp. Because of the open invitation for this German series some drivers, like Xray Team Drivers Pedro Rombouts and Maxim Claes, took the opportunity to drive in this competitive competition. On Saturday the day started off with a wet track, but in the afternoon the track was completely dry and the 29 drivers could start working on their setup and rhythm.

For Sunday the weather was perfect and everything was set for a nice day of racing. After 3 rounds of qualification the times showed a very competitive field with the first 6 drivers within just 0,1s from each other over their best 3 conservative laps. With 4 direct places for the main final, Pedro Rombouts took the pole, followed by Benjamin Lehhman, René Pupke and Bernd Rausch.

Qualification:

1. Pedro Rombouts - Xray NT1

2. Benjamin Lehmann
3. René Püpke
4. Bernd Rausch
5. Daniel Toennessen
6. Daniel Thiele
7. Andreas Weyhoven - Xray NT1
8. Sebastian BĂĽrge
9. Arndt Bernhardt
0. Dieter Fleischer

From the B semi-final 4 drivers made the final with Sebastian BĂĽrge winning in front of Dieter Fleischer, Daniel Thiele and Casten Diekmann who made a better time than the number 3 at the A semi-final. From the A semi Arndt Bernardt won in front of Andreas Weyhoven.

Startgrid:

1. Pedro Rombouts - Xray NT1

2. Benjamin Lehmann
3. René Püpke
4. Bernd Rausch
5. Arndt Bernhardt
6. Sebastian BĂĽrge
7. Andreas Weyhoven - Xray NT1
8. Dieter Fleischer
9. Daniel Thiele
0. Casten Diekmann

The main final started off with a clean start, but after some 3 laps Pedro got touched and got behind some half a lap. From there a close pack drove around for the first 5 minutes, while Pedro was trying to make up some lost time. After some 5 minutes René Pupke and Sebastian Bürge had to retire, while up front it were Benjamin Lehmann, Bernd Rausch and Andreas Weyhoven. Behind them Pedro got back in 4th place. The next minutes Pedro drove his way back to the leaders and some 12 minutes in the race he was back in first place with Bernd Rausch and Benjamin Lehmann following close by. For the rest of the race Pedro got away little by little from the rest of the field, eventually winning the race almost 1 lap clean of Bernd Rausch in 2nd and Andreas Weyhoven in 3rd.

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Final:
1. Pedro Rombouts - Xray NT1
2. Bernd Rausch
3. Andreas Weyhoven - Xray NT1
4. Benjamin Lehmann
5. Dieter Fleischer
6. Daniel Thiele
7. Arndt Bernhardt
8. Casten Diekmann
9 Sebastian BĂĽrge
10. René Püpke

After all a very nice day of racing in this competitive German series. I’d like to thank Xray and RC Connect for their support.

Pictures by nitro-west.de