EuroV8 Series: At Hockenheimring Tomas Kostka's grip on EuroV8 ends two laps too early

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

• Audi Sport Italia clinches the top spot in the series' team standings
• Emanuele Zonzini's race ends in opening lap as halfshaft lets go
• Ermanno Dionisio is one of drivers involved in first lap melee

Hockenheim, Germany –  On Saturday he had surprisingly claimed the pole position for the last EuroV8 starting grid, therefore series leader Tomas Kostka today could face the final leg counting on a three-point cushion on Nicola Baldan's AMG Mercedes and fourteen on Francesco Sini's Chevrolet Camaro. How it is, it was the rival that faced the steepest climb to the top to prevail at Hockenheim. Kostka's Audi ultimately ran most of the race crippled by bruises triggered by minor, and not so minor, contact with Chevrolet drivers, Sini and his wingman Giovani Berton.

The first lap was chaotic: Kostka's team mate Giovanni Zonzini stopped immediately hit by a halfshaft problem, as Sini took the lead, also showing his mettle to the Audi leader swiping the RS 5 in the process. A few corners later a bunch of cars were wiped including Audi's Ermanno Dionisio, who had had a good getaway, BMW's Maurizio Mercatali and others namely former championship leader Baldan, whose Mercees AMG was damaged and forced to stop on the grass, the driver out of contention for the title. As the safety car was summoned Kostka was squeezed between the Chevrolets of Sini and Berton. At the re-start the Camaro went on to an undisputed win. If Sini in P1 wasn't actually a setback for Kostka, Berton grabbing the second place was: when the Lumina tussled with the No 1 Audi at the hairpin the banging damaged Kostka's rear left halfshaft and the Czech driver had to slow his pace. Third place would have been enough to secure him the crown, but the crippled car was forced to leave room for Diego Romanini'recovery. With two laps to go Kostka after working miracles to stay ahead ran wide at turn Sachs and had to let the AMG Mercedes go by to round up the Top3 spots. Ultimately, even with a burst tyre Kostka crossed the finish line in P4, but he had to relinquish the drivers' crown to Sini by a point. Audi Sport Italia confirmed itself as best team in the dedicated standing, whilst Dionisio had claimed the gentlemen standings a fortnight ago at Sachsenring.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

EuroV8 Series: Tomas Kostka's fourth EuroV8 Series pole position is huge boost of confidence ahead of Hockenheim finale

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

• Emanuele Zonzini to start from row two in his third tin-top start 
• Early fuel pump problems doom Ermanno Dionisio qualifying

Hockenheim – According to conventional wisdom the Baden Wurttemberg track was supposed to be a boon for Camaros and AMG Mercedes and for their beefy engines: it turned out that only in free practice one a car that boasts power among its primary assets, Francesco Sini's Chevy could top the time sheets. Then the game belogned Audi Sport Italia's RS 5s and no one benefitted more of this twist of fate than the best-placed Audi driver in the tables: Tomas Kostka. The Zlin, Czech Republic-based driver was first in free practice two posting the fastest time in practice as well as the lone lap one under the 1-minute 48-second barrier: 1'47.924.

In qualifying he repeated himself: his 1:47.632 remained unbeaten, but Kostka himself trimmed it when the session resumed after the second red flag, posting a shining 1:47.134, four-tenths of a second ahead of the closest pursuer. Nicola Baldan, runner-up in the tables, three points removed from the Czech, tomorrow will start from row three: his Saturday was blighted by technical trouble. Sini, third in the points standing 14 points behind the leader, will start next to the pole sitting RS 5, and could not get ahead of the best Audi in spite of clocking the fastest times in sector two on a regular basis. But sheer power was not enough to displace Audis as the RS 5 quattros were having an edge at the hairpin and in the twisty sections. A confirmation came from Emanuele Zonzini, that put the morning troubles, and a replaced engine, behind himself breaking out at the eleventh hour to cliam a nice third place (1:47.756): The young San Marino-based driver hadn't put a wheel before at Hockenheimring, as during his 2013 GP3 season the singleseater series had paid visit to the Nurburgring, but he quickly made up for the lack of experience building on the knowledge of team mates and the Audi Sport Italia staff. His team mate Ermanno Dionisio --the star at the previous Sachsenring round, courtesy of his astounding come back race-- was not as fortunate as Zonzini, as a pick-up problem stopped him in the grass before he could put in a single lap, even triggering a brief red flag-- the second as outcome of Max Mugelli's crash. The Brixia-born driver will have to start the EuroV8 Series decider from the bottom of the grid.

Qualifying:
1. KOSTKA (AUDI) 1:47.134
2. Sini (Chevrolet) 1:47.524
3. ZONZINI (AUDI) 1:47.756
4. Berton (Chevrolet) 1:48.498
5. Mugelli (BMW) 1:48.664
6. Baldan (Mercedes AMG) 1'48.880
S.T. DIONISIO (AUDI)

Standings:
1. KOSTKA 149 punti
2. Baldan 146 p.
3. Sini 135 p.
4. Mercatali 108 p.
5. Copetti 92 p.
6. Mugelli 91 p.
7. DIONISIO 87 pts.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

EuroV8 Series: After Sachsenring banner weekend Audi Sport Italia drivers head to Hockenheimring for title decider

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

•    Leader Tomas Kostka to fight tooth and nail for ultimate prize in German finale
•    Emanuele Zonzini, Ermanno Dionisio look forward to sign off 2014 with class act

Nibbiola, Italy –  Audi Sport Italia's drivers sweeped the podium spots in the EuroV8 Series next-to-last meeting at Sachsenring and Tomas Kostka grabbed the series lead when he piloted his RS 5 to the third 2014 victory. There are three drivers who are on their way to Germany expecting to battle for the maiden FG Group-promoted series crown: besides Kostka, Nicola Baldan and Francesco Sini. They all previously savoured the taste of being on top: Sini, who trails Kostka by 13 points was the first of the bunch to claim the leading spot, which he had to relinquish to Baldan in Mugello, possibly the best meeting for the AMG Mercedes driver. Tuscany also treated Kostka to a foretaste of the leadership, as he led after race one -- albeit level on points with the Chevrolet Camaro driver-- before both were leapfrogged by Baldan. Kostka's mixed fortunes at his home event meant that the Zlin, Czech Republic-based driver had to wait nearly three months --until the Audi-red letter day on a soaked track at Sachsenring-- to climb back to the top of the tables, after Audi Sport Italia second season 1-2-3.

Hockenheimring is not supposed to be as Audi-friendly as Sachsenring was, however the pressure will be on Kostka's rivals to displace him from the top. Kostka as well as team mates Emanuele Zonzini and Ermanno Dionisio shouldn’t be the nervous ones who enter this race looking at a chance to test their ability and their mettle, because they have shown loads of both. The experienced Dionisio after sailing uncharted waters at the two previous venues is to drive at a track he already visited, and he'll do so after clinching the EuroV8 gentlemen standings with one round to go. Zonzini proved in his last outing that youth isn't a liability in a touring car series where experienced driver reign, claiming a deserved runner-up spot behind Kostka in his second series start. Which ultimately adds up to suggest to fans and insiders alike to keep an eye on RS 5 drivers on Sunday.

Standings:
1. KOSTKA 148 points
2. Baldan 146 pts.
3. Sini 135 pts.
4. Mercatali 108 pts.
5. Copetti 92 pts.
6. Mugelli 91 pts.
7. DIONISIO 87 pts.

Timetable:
Saturday, October 4
09:00-09:30 practice
13:55-14:25 practice
17:20-17:50 qualifying
Sunday, October 5
09:30-09:45 warm up
14:05 25-minute race (+1 lap)

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

EuroV8 Series: Audi Sport Italia's Sachsenring 1-2-3 propels race winner Tomas Kostka back to the top of points tables

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

• Emanuele Zonzini first tin-top finish is also his maiden Top3 place 
• Ermanno Dionisio enlivens German round rallying from P7 to P3  

Oberlungwitz (D) – Mixed weather had greeted this corner of Saxony on Saturday, but as race time was approaching rainy clouds had the upper hand over Sachsenring, with a drenched circuit waiting for the start of the next-to-last 2014 EuroV8 Series round. Since Tomas Kostka had led all practice sessions as well as qualifying and warm-up -- mostly on dry-- he and team mates Emanuele Zonzini and Ermanno Dionisio were quite happy, albeit everybody was afraid deep down that Sunday wouldn’t be as smooth sailing as yesterday had been. They had not forgotten that the opening laps in Brno had been an utter disaster for the threesome, who all experienced first-hand what is like to be wiped out of contention after a few corners.

As it is, Sachsenring today again proved a venue friendly for Ingolstadt-hailing cars, and especially for the Italian squad quattros. The Zlin, Czech Republic-based driver and team mates didn't even had to bother about the opening lap this time out, as the race started behind safety-car and when on lap two the green flag was waved Kostka and Zonzini, who had been sharing the front row, disappeared in a cloud of spray, without any competition challenging them. Kostka's third season win, paired with former leader Nicola Baldan P7, translates in the Audi man claiming back the series leadership by two points, a tiny edge he'll try to keep in the season finale, to be staged at Hockenheim in a fortnight. 20-year old Zonzini, who's driving for Audi Sport Italia on a regular basis in the domestic GT3 series, claimed his maiden touring car podium finish in only his second start, in spite of having had to make acquaintance with the track this race weekend, unlike the race winner. Luckily the downshift trouble that had intermittently hampered the San Marino-based driver warm up session had been tweaked before the start by the team crew.

If Kostka and Zonzini smoothly cruised to the checker, their team mate Ermanno Dionisio was the man that made the penultimate season round entertaining for the 10,000-plus crowd. Starting from row four the experienced rally-man bode his time until lap 7, trying to come to grips with scarce visibility. Then he switched to maximum attack mode and challenged BMW's Massimiliano Mugelli for P6, triggering a roll of dice that brought the warring duo surprisingly past AMG Mercedes' Baldan, that was struggling ahead of Mugelli. The end of the following lap was the right moment for the Monaco-based driver to take over P4 from Giovanni Berton's Chevy Lumina. It then took him until lap 12 to catch and slide past Francesco Sini's Chevy Camaro, after a brief tussle. By then the gap from the leading team mates was too big, but Dionisio wasn't less happy to join again fellow Audi drivers on the podium, something that both him and Audi Sport Italia had accomplished at Vallelunga, in a nail-biting race one. However, Dionisio has now moved up to the seventh place in the overall standings, as well as leading the gentlemen-only tables.

Race
1. KOSTKA (AUDI RS 5) 16 laps
2. ZONZINI (AUDI RS 5) +3.518s
3. DIONISIO (AUDI RS 5) +30.366s
4. Sini (Chevrolet) +35.044s
5. Berton (Chevrolet) +37.543s
6. Mugelli (BMW) +37.962s
7. Baldan(AMGMercedes)+1:04.905s

Standings
1. KOSTKA 148 points
2. Baldan 146 pts.
3. Sini 135 pts.
4. Mercatali 108 pts.
5. Copetti 92 pts.
6. Mugelli 91 pts.
7. DIONISIO 87 pts.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

EuroV8 Series: Promising start to Audi Sport Italia's EuroV8 Series weekend at Sachsenring: RS 5 drivers sweep front row spots

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

• Tomas Kostka, Emanuele Zonzini lead next-to-last season grid 
• Ermanno Dionisio to take on German round starting from row four

Oberlungwitz (D) –  The penultimate leg of the 2014 V8 series promoted by Maurizio Flammini's FG Group witnessed a first day dominated by the best-placed Audi driver in the points standings: Tomas Kostka. The Czech actually happened to be the lone man in the EuroV8 Series paddock that had already raced at the track renowned for its MotoGP meeting and made the most of it topping the time sheets in both practices no matter if dry or rain-soaked. When qualifying beckoned the session got underway in half-wet/half-dry conditions, with some areas still sodden but the lines relatively dry and fastly improving.

The pole position chase saw no less than five drivers swapping the most coveted spot: in addition to the Czech that ultimately repeated himself on top also his teammate Emanuele Zonzini, the provisionale series leader Nicola Baldan and the Chevrolet duo composed by Francesco Sini and Giovanni Berton. Whilst Kostka prevailed with rain tires fitted to his RS 5 his lap (1'36.893) was soon shredded by rivals as soon as they switched to slick tires: Baldan was the first to change of tactics and looking at the AMG Mercedes lap of 1'34.371 the whole pit lane followed him. Obviously Audi Sport Italia were not there to watchand the first to roll the dice was the young man from San Marino: Zonzini pushed hard and for the first time since he joined EuroV8 he led the whole field: he even pipped Kostka by 41 thousandths of a second. Thereafter no car but Audis led the standings: the Czech claimed back the pole with a lap (1'30.101) that improved the best morning time by two tenths of a second. In order to avoid being pipped, Kostka improved it twice as the track was drying: 1'28.908 was the final word and also the lap that granted the point awarded to the polesitting car. Tomorrow the Czech will have nineteen points to recover from leader Baldan, who will start in the row three, behind the Chevys. The battle for pole between the Audis of Kostka and Zonzini apparently benefitted both: their duel in qualifying mirrored the previous at Brno, which wound up with a first and a third place on the grid, but this time out the young San Marino driver moved up one spot to runner-up, albeit by only 0.626s. Unfortunately, Audi Sport Italia's Ermanno Dionisio will not be behind them as it happened instead in the soaked free practice session. The Monaco-based driver did not pulled punches to make it happen, but as time was expiring he could not make it -- he went wide in the grass in the downhill section of the Saxony venue and tomorrow he'll have to settle for seventh place on the grid.

Qualifying
1. KOSTKA (AUDI RS 5) 1'28.908s
2. ZONZINI (AUDI RS 5) 1'29.534s
3. Sini (Chevrolet) 1'30.691s
4. Berton (Chevrolet) 1'30.592s
5. Baldan(AMG Mercedes) 1'30.793s
6. Mugelli (BMW) 1'31.356s
7. DIONISIO (AUDI RS 5) 1'31.875s

Standings
1. Baldan 133 points
2. Sini 116 pts.
3. KOSTKA 114 pts.
4. Mercatali 108 pts.
5. Copetti 92 pts.
6. Mugelli 91 pts.
7. STANCHERIS 71 pts.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

EuroV8 Series: Audi Sport Italia keen to bring back their quattros to one of the most four wheel drive-friendly venues

Audi Sport Italia Press Release
 

•    Tomas Kostka's knowledge of the German circut may help his uphill title run
•    Emanuele Zonzini, Ermanno Dionisio look forward to Sachsenring challenge

Nibbiola, Italy –  Emilio Radaelli’s team made its last Sachsenring appearance several years ago: on June 30, 1996, the team ran and operated a works Audi A4 Quattro in the fourth leg of D1 ADAC STW-Cup, albeit the car was entered by French team AZK-ROC. Austria’s Phillip Peter – whose then-race engineer Massimo del Prete still builds four-ring cars in Novara, Italy today – drove superbly in the Sprint race to clinch his maiden tin-top win, which remarkably was also the lone success for the Italian team headed by the former rallying co-driver in German SuperTouring.

This weekend Audi Sport Italia is again set to field quattros at Sachsenring, although today the V8s are run as a private operation. Nonetheless the circuit layout as well as the assets of a car that has sweeped the available titles in the past two seasons make the Audi camp fairly optimistic about the German leg, aiming high: Tomas Kostka, Emanuele Zonzini and Ermanno Dionisio all wish to be up to the task.

The Zlin, Czech Republic-based driver is among the very few V8 men that have been driving at this venue before, and this may well prove a precious advantage, even over his team mates. Veteran Ermanno Dionisio has put in his best races mostly at twisty tracks, and Sachsenring may well suit him, as well. However, young gun Emanuele Zonzini clicked with the RS 5 from the word go and he especially may be a precious help for the Czech teammate, as Audi have to shoot for a 1-2, possibly the only way for Kostka to reboot his title hopes and move the title fight to the Hockenheimring decider.

Currently the #1 RS 5 sits in P3 in the standings, 20-point removed from provisional leader Nicola Baldan’s Mercedes coupe. If things go according to plan, on Sunday Kostka may leapfrog runner-up Francesco Sini. The Chevrolet standard-bearer has a tiny 3-point edge over Kostka, and Sachsenring hardly seems to suit the U.S.-born V8 Camaro as much as the coupe hailing from Ingolstadt. Audi Sport Italia’s drivers will have to cope with the same Balance of Performance package that awaited them in Rome: 1,500-kgs minimum weight, a ride height set at 90mm and air restrictors that shrink to 79 from the 85mm allowed at Brno in the previous leg. 

Timetable
Saturday, September 20
08:00-08:30 practice
14:20-14:50 practice
18:20-18:50 qualifying
Sunday, September 21
09:25-09:40 warm up
14:05 25-minute race (+1 lap)

Standings
1. Baldan 133 points
2. Sini 116 pts.
3. KOSTKA 113 pts.
4. Mercatali 108 pts.
5. Copetti 92 pts.
6. Mugelli 91 pts.
7. STANCHERIS 71 pts.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia
 

EuroV8 Series: Pole position for Tomas Kostka and Audi Sport Italia in Brno

By Tarek Ramchani

Audi Sport Italia and their Audi RS 5 quattro cars performed very well i the EuroV8 Series qualifying session at Brno today. The Audi Italia dealer team secured a fine pole position in a demanding track.

Brno in the Czech Republic saw local hero Tomas Kostka dominating the field with his #01 Audi RS 5 quattro. The Czech driver set the fastest time in the qualifuing session with a 2:07.751, he was 0.680s faster than the second placed Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG of Nicola Baldan.

New comer to EuroV8 Series, Emanuele Zonzini qualified in an impressive third place first time driving the Audi RS 5 quattrp. Emanuele Zonzini is racing for Audi Sport Italia in the Italian GT Championship, he is the team-mate of Dindo Capello.

The third Audi RS 5 quattro driven by Ermanno Dionisio was eighth fastest.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

EuroV8 Series: Audi Sport Italia head to Czech Republic with strengthened line-up

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

• Tomas Kostka to aim for series lead in home race, Ermanno Dionisio for podium
• Brno meeting to host much-anticipated Emanuele Zonzini's EuroV8 Series debut

Nibbiola, Italy – The second half of 2014 EuroV8 Series 2014 kicks off at scenic Brno circuit, and Audi Sport Italia is ready to make the headlines adding to strong line-up a youthful, but already familiar to Audi fans: Emanuele Zonzini. The San Marino-born driver has made a sensational debut with the Emilio Radaelli-led team when, paired with Audi legend Dindo Capello, won his first race sitting in a four ring race car in the Italian GT opener at Misano Adriatico. His GT3 appearences in a R8 apparently haven't satiated his appetite for racing and the GP3 graduate has set his sight on touring cars, as well. He's to take part to the remaining races staged by the maurizio Flammini-run series driving the V8 RS 5 No. 2 where so far Davide Stancheris was sitting. For Zonzini the overall title is obviously un unattainable goal. Race wins, as well as the rookie crown are, tho.

However, Brno first and foremost will be "the race" for Tomas Kostka, who'll strive to live the same feel that BMW's Niccolo Mercatali enjoyed in Mugello race two: celebrating in front of the home crowd. It should not be overlooked that in achieving this goal Kostka would also be well positioned in his quest to displace Mercedes' Nicola Baldan from the series' provisional lead. He can count on some reassuring news, as the Zlin-born driver will be driving an Audi fifty kilos lighter than during the ill-fated Mugello journey, while the Mercedes AMG coupe of his main rival will be beefed up as an outocome of utter success in Tuscany. In short: two races not to missed beckon, and Kostka has prepared them with a succesful shake-down on Tuesday at Tazio Nuvolari circuit, near Voghera, Italy. Zonzini also had there his first taste of what a 4WD race car is. Within Audi Sport Italia the man who less lacks mileage in the RS 5, to date, is instead Ermanno Dionisio. The former rally driver from Brixia, Italy is the Audi Sport driver who has put in more laps both in the V8 series and in the mighty RS 5. In Czech Republic he'll aim for a podium spot, something that he managed to achieve in Rome, but ultimately escaped him at Mugello, after a brilliant start of race two.

Photo credit: EuroV8 Series

EuroV8 Series: Early safety-car period in Mugello race two hurts Ermanno Dionisio's shot at maiden Audi win

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

• Tomas Kostka now runner-up in points standings after P8 finish
• Davide Stancheris rallies to 6th place after race one retirement

Scarperia, Italy – Mugello race two denied again Audi Sport Italia drivers a podium finish, however the sixth round countng towards the 2014 EuroV8 Series crown offered Ermanno Dionisio another enticing opportunity to chase his maiden Audi win. For as long as four gritty laps, that is. The Monaco-based Italian had an excellent start barreling to P3 at the first corner and then rolling the dice with Mimmo Schiattarella going up Arrabbiate bends in a move that propelled him into a surprising runner-up spot. Dionisio was definitely making good use of the fresh engine that his RS 5 had been fitted after retirement in race one. The leading BMW M3, in the hands of Niccolo Mercatali was therefore put under constatnt pressure, while the two pulled away from the pack. But their advantage vanished suddenly on lap four as the safety car was summoned on track remove the wrecked car of former series leader Francesco Sini.

As the bunched up field restarted, the edge in displacement and power of race one winner Nicola Baldan' Mercedes and Schiattarella's Lumina had the upper hand on the Audi RS 5 driver. Dionisio eventually also had to let Max Mugelli's BMW by but, in addition to another in the gentleman-drivers ranking, he also nipped team mate David Stancheris for fifth place in a dash to the finish line. The Bergamo-based driver, who had been forced to retire in race one due to a gearbox problem, had taken off from the bottom of the grid in the sixth row, but came back in his usual fancy driving style. Eighth in the ranks in Tuscany and third among Audi drivers was Tomas Kostka: only hours removed from grabbing the series lead, level on points with race one winner Baldan, the Czech was put on the gravel on the first lap after a last-corner clash with Leonardo Baccarelli's Mercedes, relegating him to the back of the queue with a car whose flat bottom had been ripped off and the front end was ailing. His race two P8 translats into the Czech tumbling down twelve points adrift of Baldan. Kostka is two stones ahead of race two winner Mercatali, who in turn lies eleven points ahead of Stancheris and Sini, who are level points.

RACE TWO STANDINGS 1. N. Mercatali (BMW) 13 laps 2. N. Baldan (Mercedes) +2.463s 3. D. Schiattarella (Chevy) +3.640s../.. 5. E. DIONISIO (AUDI) +9.204s 6. D. STANCHERIS (AUDI) +9.205s 8. T. KOSTKA (AUDI) +37.995s   1. N. Baldan 96 points 2. T. KOSTKA 84 pts. 3. N. Mercatali 82 pts. 4. F. Sini 71 pts. 4. D. STANCHERIS 71 pts. 6. D. Schiattarella 68 pts. 7. M. Copetti 64 pts.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

EuroV8 Series: Tomas Kostka soldiers on to Mugello P6

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

Tomas Kostka soldiers on to Mugello P6 that propels him to the top of EuroV8 Series points standings after five rounds

• Davide Stancheris shines in first half posting race FL, then retires
• Ermanno Dionisio puts in solid race before hitting engine trouble

Scarperia, Italy – The drought of wins for four-wheel-driven cars at Mugello-- dating back to 2006-- continues. At the scenic Tuscan venue, the best Audi driver turned out to be -- as it happened on Saturday -- Tomas Kostka. In spite of cut-off problems intermittingly hampering his run the Czech, fresh off his maiden win in Rome a fortinight ago, got mixed in a bunch fighting for P4 that encompassed Diego Romanini's Mercedes, Niccolò Mercatali's BMW and team mate David Stancheris. The red-headed from Bergamo was definitely the Audi man to watch in the first half, as after having disposed of nagging rival Mercatali on lap five he showed his form clinching the fastest lap and relayed to Kostka the massage that he was determined to go after Romanini and the Top3 drivers thereafter. As it is, Stancheris went by Kostka at the San Donato corner, but one lap later he hit gearbox trouble in the same area and had to park his RS 5 in the run off area.
It took another couple of laps for another Audi driver to swallow a bitter pill: Ermanno Dionisio, then eighth overall as well as comfortably leading in the standings that encompass only gentleman-drivers, was sidelined by his engine as he, in the back of his mind was tinkering with the chance to start from pole position on the reveresed grid of race two. The last time this had occurred to him, at Vallelunga, led to his first 2014 podium finish. Audi Sport Italia 'survivor' didn't give up his battle with either Romanini's Mercedes o Maurizio Copetti's M3 but ultimately Kostka had to settle for sixth place. None the less, the spot awarded him enough points to grab the first place in the championship tables, although level on points at 75 apiece with race one winner Nicola Baldan. The yellow Mercedes C63 coupe kept at bay throughout the race the M3 driven by home boy Max Mugelli, whose runner-up spot starting from pole position still keep him at zip wins in V8 meetings.

	RACE ONE		STANDINGS
1. N. Baldan (Mercedes) 14 laps 2. M. Mugelli (BMW) +0.629s 3. D. Schiattarella (Chevy) +10.017../.. 6. T. KOSTKA (AUDI) +21.768s 11. E. DIONISIO (AUDI) -4 laps 12. D. STANCHERIS (AUDI) -7laps Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia		1. N. Baldan 75 points 1. T. KOSTKA 75 pts. 3. F. Sini 70 pts. 4. D. STANCHERIS 60 pts. 5. N. Mercatali 57 pts. 6. M. Copetti 54 pts. 7. E. Cheever III 53 pts.

EuroV8 Series: Top 5 in qualifying for Audi Sport Italia at the Mugello

By Tarek Ramchani

The third round of the newly formed EuroV8 Series is being held at the Mugello Circuit. Audi Sport Italia is on site fielding three Audi RS 5 quattro cars.

The Audi Italia official dealer team performed very well last time at Vallelunga. Race 2 in the Rome circuit will be remembred for the all in-house Audi threeway battle for the lead. The three Audi RS 5 quattro cars are driven by Thomas Kostka, Davide Stancheris and Ermanno Dionisio.

In the qualifying session this afternoon all three Audis made it into the Top 10. Race 2 winner at Vallelunga,  Thomas Kostka qualified fourth with his #1 Audi RS 5 quattro. His team-mate Davide Stancheris  was right behind in fifth place with the #2 Audi. Ermanno Dionisio with the #3 Audi ended in eighth place.

The three Audi drivers will have to battle hard tomorrow against their rivals from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Chevrolet.

Up ahead it was an all BMW M3 affair. BMW Team Dinamic scored a 1-2 in qualifying with Max Mugelli taking pole position ahead of team-mate Maurizio Copetti.

The two races are set for tomorrow. We wish the best of luck to Audi Sport Italia and their three drivers.

Photo credit: EuroV8 Series

EuroV8 Series: After thrilling 1-2-3 at Vallelunga, Audi Sport Italia drivers brace up for Mugello

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

• Thomas Kostka, Davide Stancheris aim to close gap from series leader
• Ermanno Dionisio pledges to continue streak of awesome outings
  

Scarperia, Italy – The V8 circus is headed for Tuscany, two years removed from from the last appearance at the scenic Mugello venue. Several things have changed since, but not the penchant for nail-biting racing that is EuroV8 Series trademark, as the riveting show performed by the three Audis in Vallelunga race two confirmed. However, taking into account the previous Mugello meetings, next Sunday is unlikely to offer the perfect backdrop for another quattro-fest. Tomas Kostka, Davide Stancheris and Ermanno Dionisio, who finished race two in this order, are likely to find themselves in a position pretty familiar to Audi drivers back in 2013: toiling on Saturday -- but rallying as race day beckons. The Tuscan track features the longest straight line in the V8 schedule, therefore the sizeable capacity of beefier engines will play a role in sorting out race one grid. Moreover, M3s fairly balanced chassis will boost the performance of Bimmer drivers, who have yet to post their maiden 2014 win.

If anything, Audi Sport Italia can be positive on the different tilt of the current Balance of Performance concept: with the old BoP in place Kostka, Stancheris and Dionisio would be certainly facing a crackdown on their car performance after the 1-2-3 in Rome. But this time out the Nibbiola, Piedmont-based outfit is not gearing up for a second leg of performance shrinking after the one that predated Vallelunga. As a matter of fact, keeping in mind the past unfriendliness of Mugello to Audi, RS 5s will stick to the same minimum weight as in Vallelunga, but the crew will be able to trim their ride height to 75mm from 90 in Rome. The cars air restrictors will be gauged at 85mm. This host of measures possibly will not make of Audi drivers the best bet in Tuscany, but will give them chance to work out a game plan that may see them bide their time until tyre fatigue comes into play. Kostka and Stancheris hope to leverage on this in order to get closer to series' leader Francesco Sini, whereas Dionisio, who joined them in Rome, looks forward to keep intact the streak of amazing performances that he has put in since he stepped in the RS 5 at the 2013 Superstars finale. Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

Video: Breathtaking battle with three Audi RS 5 quattro at Vallelunga in EuroV8 Series

By Tarek Ramchani

The Vallelunga circuit near Rome hosted the second round of the newly formed EuroV8 Series yesterday. The Italian based Touring Car series is welcoming big V8 Coupes and Sedan with the Audi RS 5 quattro one of the stars in the field.

In race 2, the RS 5 quattros from Audi Sport Italia dominated and took a sensational 1-2-3 victory in the end. No team oders at the official Audi Italia dealer team and all the three drivers battles each other to take the race win. The fans on site and those watching on TV enjoyed a an emotional and breathtaking fight to the finish line. Race victory went to Tomas Kostka in front his team-mates Davide Stancheris in second and Ermanno Dionisio in third.

Below a great video feautring the two last laps and the great battle in house at Audi Sport Italia. Enjoy!

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

EuroV8 Series: Tomas Kostka wins a race for the ages as RS 5 Audis finish 1-2-3 at Vallelunga

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

• Davide Stancheris claims second place after nailbiting final laps 
• Ermanno Dionisio clinch P3 after keeping the lead until lap eight 

Campagnano di Roma – 1-2-3 finishes don't come easy in motorsports, no matter the category involved, but it's fair to say that it's going to be a tall order to find another as entertaining for fans as the one that took shape in the next-to-last lap and last lap of Vallelunga round four counting towards the 2014 EuroV8 Series. Audi Sport Italia drivers led throghout the race, with Ermanno Dionisio taking the lead on the opening lap and keeping the spot until the mid-race mark, when surging team mate Davide Stancheris went by to make it a 1-2 Audi race. However it was not all the story, as after having his gearbox replaced due to a problem in the final moments of race one, Tomas Kostka got rid of Nicola Baldan's Mercedes AMG a few minutes later and then set sail to challenge the fellow Audi drivers. Which in spite of dropping grip from the tyres the Czech managed to do a few laps later.  

By lap 14 the three RS 5s were bunched up together and all their drivers were experiencing tyre wear. They did not shelved their ambition, tho, and as Dionisio dived on the inside of Stancheris opening the door to Kostka, a three-way-- sometimes three-wide -- fight began. Without team orders from the pit wall, no punches were pulled by the red-hot drivers, who treated the Vallelunga and TV fans to a show that reminded many of the all-Mercedes battle between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. The F1 aces didn't have the luxury of 4WD though, and especially a bout at the Semaforo corner between Kostka and Stancheris--both cars drifting sideways but safely back into the line-- the ultimate commercial for the fledging EuroV8 Series. Sadly at the end  someone had to win and two had to step on the lower podium places, and it was Kostka that managed to save the best for last nipping fellow Audi drivers Stancheris and Dionisio. For both Kostka and Stancheris this is their maiden Top3 finish, as Dionisio had brilliantly claimed two Top3 spots in the 2013 Italian Superstars finale in Franciacorta. The points claimed at Vallelunga propelled Kostka and Stancheris respectively to the runner-up and third place in the points standings, not far from race one winner Francesco Sini.

Race two: 

1. T. KOSTKA (AUDI) 16 laps
2. D. STANCHERIS (AUDI) +2.340
3. E. DIONISIO (AUDI) +2.815
4. N. Mercatali (BMW) +18.285
5. F. Ascani (BMW) +40.974
6. F. Sini (Chevrolet) +44.395
7. D. Giacon (BMW) - 1 lap

Points Standings: 

1. Sini 69 points
2. KOSTKA 63 pts.
3. STANCHERIS 54 pts.
4. Cheever 53 pts.
5. Baldan 50 pts.
6. Mercatali 47 pts.
6. Copetti 41 pts.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

EuroV8 Series: The fastest car doesn't win at Vallelunga as Tomas Kostka is hit by drive-through

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

• Davide Stancheris claims P5 after comeback race one 
• Ermanno Dionisio to start race two from front row 

Campagnano di Roma – After sweeping the front row on Saturday, Audi Sport Italia drivers looked like the safe bet to win race one at Vallelunga. As it is, the rolling start robbed both pole sitter Tomas Kostka and team mate Davide Stancheris of a chance to post their maiden win here. Only seconds from the green light, Max Mugelli's BMW and Stancheris' Audi made contact while on their way to the Curvone bend. The Bergamo driver emerged nearly unscathed but dropped to the bottom of the standings, whilst Mugelli crashed into the safety barriers. Kostka was questionably deemed responsible of the shunt for having seeked his best line and moved to the left, in spite of not having made contact with any of the drivers involved. The pissed off Czech set the race fastest lap, but on the final lap he also had to slow down due to gearbox trouble and rounded out the Top10.

Francesco Sini's Camaro inherited the lead from the Zlin, Czech Republic-born driver edging Nicola Baldan's AMG Mercedes. Stancheris recovered a string of spots from the bottom with an opinionated effort that granted him P5 after a last minute overtaking move on Diego Romanini's AMG Mercedes. Ermanno Dionisio--just back in an RS 5 after having skipped the Monza opener--on this wind-swept Sunday morning was saved the trouble that blighted his black box on Saturday, managing to make up a couple of spots and securing a seventh position that will propel to the front row on the reversed grid of race two, as well as the trophy hoisted by the best gentleman-driver. 

Race one: 

1. F. Sini (Chevrolet) 13 laps
2. N. Baldan (Mercedes) +5.916 
3. N. Mercatali (BMW) +6.986
../..
5. D. STANCHERIS (AUDI) +9.717
7. E. DIONISIO (AUDI) +15.772
10. T. KOSTKA (AUDI) - 1 lap

Points standings: 

1. Sini 58 points
2. Cheever 53 pts.
3. Baldan 41 pts.
4. KOSTKA 38 pts.
5. Schiattarella 34 pts.
6. Copetti 33 pts.
6. STANCHERIS 33 pts.

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia

EuroV8 Series: Audi Sport Italia back to 3-car line-up in Rome

Audi Sport Italia Press Release

•    2014 Balance of Performance comes into force at Vallelunga 
•    Ermanno Dionisio to join Tomas Kostka and Davide Stancheris

Vallelunga/Nibbiola, Italy – Audi Sport Italia looks forward to reach one of the venues that have always allowed its RS 5 cars to deploy their full potential, give or take into account Balance of Performances provisions. Monza, in hindsight, has granted to newcomers Kostka and Stancheris a reasonable amount of points: although neither has made it onto the Top3 they did so in a tough environment. The Czech's charge in race two was dragged by an ailing driveshaft, whilst Stancheris pace was hindered by a rear diff problem that most likely was an outcome of his car behind rammed from behind at the started of race one. Having claimed points in difficult circumstances may well mean that both will be well equipped to do so at Vallelunga, a track where RS 5 drivers have won three of the four past races, so far. Moreover Audi Sport Italia will be able to count on three drivers in Rome, as Ermanno Dionisio will be back in a V8 quattro six months after his debut in the 2013 Italian Superstars finale. Franciacorta was Dionisio's best weekend ever in V8 series, and for sure he looks forward to pick up where he left off.

The Rome rounds will also be when the new Balance of Performance comes into effect. Compared to the bickering that these measures always used to trigger in the past, the new system seems to have been smoothly received. As it is, instead of zeroing in on punishing a car model or models for the accomplishments of its or their drivers in the previous meeting, this season the BoP--which actively involves the participating teams-- is focused on levelling the playing field. Therefore as measuring stick the 2013 rounds at Vallelunga were taken--which had Audis and BMWs starring-- instead of Monza. For Audi drivers this was not exactly good news as RS 5 weight has been increased to 1,520 kilos, the ride height will be 15 mm above the Monza gauge and the air restrictor shrunk to 79 millimeters, whilst most cars will have unchanged marks and the Chevys will get a chance to trim their weight. The whole V8 field looks at the unfolding of the new BoP chapter with keen interest and curiosity.

POINTS STANDINGS

1. Cheever 27 points
2. Baldan 20 pts.
3. Schiattarella 17 pts.
4. KOSTKA 15 pts.
5. Sini 13 pts.
6. Mugelli 11 pts.
7. STANCHERIS 10 pts

TIMETABLE

Saturday, May 3
09:15-09:45 free practice one
13:25-13:55 free practice two
16:35-17:05 qualifying
Sunday, May 4
09:55 race one
15:00 race two

Photo credit: Audi Sport Italia