Nitro Touring Worlds Gubbio: Dario Balestri sets a 2nd reference time before rain halts qualifying

Photo: Red RC (source)

At the IFMAR Nitro Touring Car Worlds in Gubbio, Italy, Dario Balestri confirmed his opening-day form by setting the best time of the second qualifying round at the wheel of his Infinity, the only driver to complete 27 laps within the time limit. The result gives him two reference runs from two heats.

Domanin and Matsukura, Balestri’s closest rivals in Gubbio

Naoto Matsukura significantly closed the gap compared to the first round and stands as Balestri’s closest challenger, ahead of Filippo Domanin on Xray. Kyle Branson (Capricorn), defending champion Jilles Groskamp, Toni Gruber and Alex Thurston on Mugen Seiki round out the front group.

Rain ultimately got the better of the rest of the schedule: the third qualifying day was cancelled by the international jury, with the track deemed unraceable. Organizers nonetheless validated the first two rounds, with the best times counting toward the final standings. Balestri, Domanin, Matsukura and Branson are thus directly qualified for Saturday’s main final, with more favorable weather forecast for the rest of the weekend.