Round 7, Belgium, Duivelsbergcircuit, Maasmechelen, August 6^th – August 8^th 2010

After a 4 week break the 2010 FIA European Rallycross Championship resumed for Round 7 at Maasmechelen in Belgium.  The driver to watch in Division 1 would be former World Rally Championship winner Francois Duval.  Duval is from Belgium and it was evident from the number of spectators that he is still a legend in his home country.  Crowds of 15,000 spectators were witnessed at the Duivelsbergcircuit, many of them hoping for home success.    

Qualifying began on Saturday morning.  The time sheets were headed in qualifying by Norwegian Ole Kristian Nottveit (Citroen Xsara RWD) followed by Belgian GT Racer Guino Kenis (BMW 120) and defending champion from Norway Knut Ove Borseth Ford Fiesta MK. 7).  Irishman Derek Tohill was 8^th fastest in his Ford Fiesta MK.7.  The Irishman lost some track time when he went off the circuit and got beached in early morning practice.  The Dubliner in his own words was “Exploring the limits around the Duivelsbergcircuit”.  

The first qualifying heat soon began on Saturday afternoon.   Ex Norwegian Supernational Champion Nottveit won his heat and went fastest of all drivers.  Tohill also won his heat but conditions were a little bit wetter for Tohill as he was out in one of the very early heats.  The Irishman posted 5^th fastest time.  The Rallycross Rebels team spent Saturday night searching for ways to improve rear end traction.

The hard work by the Rallycross Rebels team paid off and Tohill went 3^rd fastest on Sunday mornings opening heat.  Quickest this time went to Tohill’s arch rival Guino Kenis driving a BMW 120.  The Belgian has rarely been beaten at his home circuit but competition was stiff with all of the ERC regulars attending round 7 of the European Championship.

The Final qualifying heat would decide who qualified directly into the A final.  Tohill would need to post a good time to ensure direct qualification.  This was not going to be straight forward as conditions were deteriorating quickly as the rain became very heavy.  But, Tohill had now mastered the intricacies of the Belgian circuit and put in a time which was second fastest overall.  The Irishman had a very close battle with the Belgian driver Guino Kenis.  More of this was to come as Kenis and Tohill qualified 1^st and 2^nd respectively for the front row of the A Final.

As the light went green for the A final, Tohill made one of his customary superfast starts.  The Irishman took the lead into the first corner.  Kenis took the mandatory joker lap immediately.  But, Tohill’s team covered off any late approaches by instructing the Irishman to take the joker lap on the third lap.  When Tohill came out in front, he just needed to drive a controlled race to the end.  The Irishman did not disappoint and took the chequered flag.  The young Norwegian Lars Øivind Enerberg chased Tohill home in second place with Ole Kristian Nottveit finishing on the final step of the podium.  Local hero Jos Sterkens finished a strong fourth place in his Ford Focus at his home event followed by defending European champion and point’s leader Knut One Borseth.  Kenis finished 6^th in the BMW.

“This is the event of the come-back”, Tohill said afterwards. ”After Finland I was really disappointed but right now it feels great again. Especially when you look at the entry list over here, I was able to beat the Belgians at home.” The Irishman is not yet thinking about the championship. ”No, I don’t want to think about this, my goal is to win races and afterwards we’ll see. There are still three races left in this championship”, he said. Knut Ove Børseth (103 points) stays in the lead for the championship after Maasmechelen with Tohill (97 points) second and Nøttveit (97 points) third.  Francois Duval did not disappoint his home crowd as he took victory in Division 1.

The European Championship now moves to Buxtehude in Germany this weekend where the Irish team will be doing there very best to take another strong result.  It will again be a circuit more familiar to other drivers in the championship but the Irishman plans on being at the sharp end of proceedings come Sunday afternoon.