Norbert Kiss sent his home crowd in to rapture after securing a last moment pole position for race three in a thrilling qualifying session at the Hungaroring this morning.
Norbert Kiss sent his home crowd in to rapture after securing a last moment pole position for race three in a thrilling qualifying session at the Hungaroring this morning.
Jochen Hahn looked to have topped the Superpole list again but a superb last lap by Kiss in his Tankpool24 Racing Mercedes-Benz saw him claim his second pole position of the season.
In the early phase of Superpole the championship points leader Hahn was able to just shade Kiss by 0.181 seconds to claim the top spot. But Kiss claimed the pole with his 2m17.488s for race three after taking his Mercedes-Benz to a best time of 2m17.488s and the large home crowd in to ecstasy.
Kiss hurled his Mercedes-Benz around the 2.722-mile circuit close to Budapest to seal the pole and his late lap was just 0.088s faster than his German adversary.
Hahn’s rival in the 2016 FIA ETRC title-fight – Adam Lacko took third position in his Buggyra International Racing System ‘FatFox’. Anthony Janiec, driving his Lion Truck Racing MAN will line-up alongside Lacko on the second row.
The third row of the grid is an all-female affair as Steffi Halm heads her WOW! Women on Wheels teammate Ellen Lohr (Truck Sport Lutz Bernau MAN).
Ryan Smith was disappointed to only qualify in seventh place, but is sure to be a factor in the race this afternoon in his Team OXO Racing MAN.
Gerd Körber (Team Schwabentruck IVECO), Sascha Lenz and Jiri Forman complete the top ten for the 19th race of the 2016 FIA European Truck Racing Championship.
The start of race three is scheduled for 14.10 local time this afternoon. To follow all the action via live streaming, timing and text updates click here
Qualifying Practice – Kiss sets fastest time of weekend
Norbert Kiss topped the second Qualifying Practice that determined the Superpole top ten session this morning. The local favourite set a best time of 2m16.724s to eclipse Jochen Hahn’s 2m17.426s lap in his Hahn Racing MAN entry. Kiss’ best time in this session was the fastest of the weekend as he maximised his Goodyear tyres on the newly resurfaced Hungaroring circuit.
Third fastest was race two victor Steffi Halm, who was just 0.365s behind Hahn’s best. Filling out the top seven in qualifying practice were Ryan Smith (Team OXXO Racing MAN), Adam Lacko (Buggyra International Racing System), Anthony Janiec (Lion Truck Racing Racing) and Gerhard Körber.
Sascha Lenz, who will be looking to put a disastrous Saturday behind him, qualified eighth ahead of Ellen Lohr who comfortably made the top ten once again.
Jiri Forman’s Buggyra International Racing System ‘FatFox’ completed the top ten as the Czech rookie continues to gain experience in the FIA ETRC.
Unable to make the Superpole session today were André Kursim (Tankpool24 Racing Mercedes-Benz), Erwin Kleinnagelvoort’s Scania, Shane Brereton’s MAN and Dominique Orsini’s Mercedes-Benz.