The sixth season of the Euro Offroad Series fires into action this weekend (16-18 September) at the famous motorsport mecca that is the Nurburgring. With the race marking the 20th race since the indoor offroad championship was started in 2012, the weekend is the first round of what is set to be its biggest and most competitive yet. Expanded to 5 rounds for the 2016/17 calendar, the third time to visit the legendary 1:1 race circuit, the EOS will run alongside the Nürburgring 1000KM, a round of the full size sportscar Blancpain Endurance Series. In terms of the 267 strong entry, reigning champions Lee Martin and Bruno Coelho lead their respective teams in seeking further success but they will face strong opposition namely from Team Associated, this the iconic offroad brand’s first time to field a full factory EOS campaign.
Having successfully defended his 2WD title last season, having got that campaign off to the perfect start with a win on the first visit to the Nurgurgring, Martin is again Yokomo’s big hope. Champions of the 2WD class for the past 3 season, their first title coming courtesy of Naoto Matsukura, the Japanese company also holds the honour of the most 2WD race wins. Marc Rheinard is also a potential winner for the team having enjoyed his first EOS win at Round 3 last year. One of a number of teams nurturing young talents, Yokomo will also have high hopes of some strong showings from Norwegian up & coming talent Daniel Kobbevik.
After an impressive debut season, securing Xray’s first EOS title when he became the 4WD champion, Coelho is the standout favourite in 4WD. Having surprised everyone when he took the 2WD TQ on his debut at the Nurburgring last year, the Slovakian manufacturer will be aiming to harness that speed and have their star driver in a position to go for the title double. Under the guidance of team-manager/racer Martin Bayer, Xray also have strength in the Austrian pairing of Martin Wollanka and Hupo Honigl. Having made the A-Main a number of times last season, team protege Malin Karlsen will be looking to make that a regular occurrence and give her massive world wide following reasons to celebrate.
Schumacher will again be led by Michal Orlowski. Runner-up to Martin in 2WD the last two seasons, despite his young age the Polish driver is an established EOS title contender. A big boost for the former race winner is the signing of Christopher Krapp to the British manufacturers factory line-up. Krapp has EOS experience from his time as Kyosho’s lead touring car driver and the German should work well together with Orlowski.
Entering Neil Cragg for a selected EOS programme last year as a precursor to a full assault this season, Team Associated laid down the warning shots that they mean business. Using the season finale to launch their new B6 chassis, Cragg would claim the TQ while US star Ryan Cavalieri took the win. Part of an increased focus on the European market which includes the introduction of LRP as their distributor for central Europe, Cragg comes into the new season of EOS at the top of his game having just added another European title to his credentials. To keep the World Champion on his toes, Associated also have one of the most exciting emerging young drivers on the team. Joona Haatanen came very close to giving the B6 its debut win and there is little doubt the Finn’s first of many wins is not far off.
Elsewhere the EOS’ most successful driver Joern Neumann also comes into weekend with high hopes. A driver who tops the stats for race wins in both 2WD and 4WD, he has endured a tough transition to Serpent but having recently secured the 4WD European Championship title, the German will be hoping to carry that momentum into the class he once dominated.
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