K-CLASS THUNDER ENDURO SEASON 2 PREVIEW
New Cars, some new tracks, some new drivers and a season full of hope, Season 1 proved that the Thunder Enduro is full of surprises, and don’t expect this coming season to be any different. What is different is a longer mid season race, and surely we cant go a season with no rain this time around.
A Full entry is ready for the season ahead, led by the regining champion NikeMikeRules, Mike is running alone in the RML team’s new Ford Mustang 350. The team have a second car available and are hoping to conclude a deal before Brands Hatch. The car is a massive departure from the nimble Mazda from last season, but it has bags of pace in a straight-line and will certainly win in the Champions hands. Mike is looking to defend his title and believes the “Yank Tank” that he has nicknamed his new car as, will help him to achieve that. RML’s second driver from last season, Robraceruk, has moved the development team and the new Lotus Espirit. The team were quick to sign Mad2210 to drive the second car, and an intensive testing programme has proved the car to be very quick, and the two drivers equally matched. These two are clear with their aims for the season ahead, to win races and try and get in the top 5 of the Championship.
Reigning Team Champs, KRR Racing, were one of the first to announce their new car, and the Porsche Cayman has given the team hope with its pace but work to do on the setup. The car is very fast, but has so far not proved as easy to drive as last season’s Lancia 037, it also lacks the consistency of the Italian car. What the Porsche does have, is power and this was the weakness last season, that the team were keen to address that with this years car. BMR Sutton is capable of challenging for the drivers championship, as is teammate RangersRick, although he is new to RWD. Fastest in testing at various tracks, has been the Hoonigan Racing TVR Tuscan of WeeBilly, and the only thing that keeps him off the championship favourites list, is the reduced programme the team are doing. Unlike last season, WeeBilly will win a round this season, and the team will be targeting independent honours, to go with those race victories. Expect to see the TVR at Hockenheim ready for round 2.
Class A champs Cerberus are back, but the program is massively behind. The team replaced the Ford Escorts, with the Ford GT, but the car was fast but not as responsive and the two drivers, Kinky Cowboys and Devil Lord both struggled. A last minute deal with Audi, has seen the team agree to run 2 AWD TT’s, and they will be in the AWD hunt, although it may be a slow start. Also in AWD are another team with a last minute change, as DMR have dropped the Bentley deal and signed up with Kia to run the stinger. The car made its debut at Media night with Kenty and was very impressive, in fact it looked the fastest car in AWD trim. A second car will be ready for Silverstone for Penfold, and he will start as one of the favourites for AM honours. It looks like a very promising season for the team, and an inspired choice to replace the heavy Bentley which the much more drivable Kia.
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DART and DARE and back, and full of promise having signed big Italian deals. DART did well with the Ferrari last season, but DARE will be running the 360 this season, CQR Rob remains and he has been joined by Bradderstig. This is a very exciting partnership, Bradderstig is likely to smash his barren run of last season and will challenge Mike for the title this time around, whilst CQR Rob is becoming one of the fastest runners in the series, and impressed all with the pace in the Lotus last season. This team will challenge KRR for the team championship as well.. DART are running the beautiful Alfa Romeo 8c, and with its two regular drivers of Major Raver and Wambogini. The team have tested in AWD and RWD, the former near the top of the AWD times at Brands Hatch, but the car proved very fast in RWD at Hockenheim where Major Raver was close to the championship favourites. The team are targeting a race win for Major Raver overall, and the AM title for Wamboginin, they have a good chance with both.
Last season’s DARE driver Hopperswwfc, has bought his Hoppers Sport team back to the series, with a total of 4 cars. The main team are running the Porsche 911 GT2, and has proved pacey in testing, whilst the Academy team has signed AtomStew to run the Subaru BRZ. Have they bitten off more than they can chew? Only time will tell, but the machinery is good, and Stew is a very promising driver for the team. The season could come down to a strong test and development programme. Team Hard have bagged the impressive Mercedes GT, and have entered to cars for Diboor and RGreenwood. Both will go well in a higher Pi races and both are capable of podiums, Diboor programme will likely be shorter than his teammates. Two other Mercedes are entered, Devilsbogeyman is back in his A45 that shocked all at the end of last season, and is getting better and better lap after lap. He will do well in the AM class and will win that on occasions, if not fighting for the actual AM title. He may also of stolen a march on many by staying with the same car and developing it further. Another A45 may appear for BadBeat, who impressed in a couple of outing in the Honda Civic last season. . One of the best looking cars on the grid will be the Aston Martin of Quicksilver racing and CelticFox. CelticFox came close to a breakthrough win last season, and is capable of achieving that this season if the car is up to the job. He will also be buoyed by Sauber leaving the series as he will start as favourite for Independent honours. Another Independent runner is CK Motorsport and ABigPieKey, running the Alfa 33. The historic sportscar is as a light as a feather, and rapid as well. The car has shown promise in testing and the driver is more than capable of getting on the podium or winning with a bit of
DARE have a very strong partnership in Bradderstig and CQR Rob
Nikemike and RML are keen to defend their title in the new Mustang
A varied pack of cars showed up for Media night, new and old.
DMR are running a pair of Kia Stingers, class A favourites?
luck. ABigPieKey is a good driver and proved his speed with some very impressive support races last season, if he can get a handle on the cars development he will go well. NitroRushmini made his debut at Spa, and scored some points, and enjoyed that race so much that he has lodged an entry in a family run team, under the JDR Racing banner and running the Corvette. The car showed impressive speed in 700Pi Modsports trim, and Nitro drove very well. Another debutant at Spa was Dopey773, and he is planning a full season, although the details on this were unknown at the time of going to press. Also unknown but entered, is Red Bull Racing for Norlinracer. Norlin drove well in the Mad Motorsport Focus last season, but didn’t have the luck, so if he picks the right car expect some good results. Alert-It have returned and entered a Nissan GTR, but the car looked a massive handful on the Media night, and the team is in desperate need of technical help, if the car and driver, Captain Storer, can unlock the potential out of it he will do well, if not it will be a repeat of last season.
And finally, what of CarcrazyCal? He announced his none attendance for this season, due to outside commitments, but rumours are rife that he will appear at times through the season. A second RML Mustang, Hoonigan TVR or something of his own making? What we do know, is he will be massively fast if he does make those guest appearances.
RML have a had a busy test programme with the new Lotus
KRR and Hoppers Sport are running different Porsche's
So last season it was predicted a Bradderstig and Team Cheetah title, this season we aren’t being as brave or as foolish, accept to say, expect some fantastic close racing again through the field. SleazeyBet think, Mike to defend his title, DARE to win the teams. Will the Bookies get it right? Find out on Tuesday at Brands Hatch.
Cerberus new Audi TT is late, but shows promise
The new cars are faster but harder to keep on the limit.