DMC German Championship: Toni Gruber lands a 1:10 nitro and 1:8 on-road double

Photo: Red RC (source)

The DMC German Championship gathered its two premier classes on the AMC Hamm track, and a single driver came away champion in both: Toni Gruber. Under daily rain that never stopped shifting the grip level, the German swept the 1:10 nitro touring and the 1:8 on-road classes in the same weekend.

Toni Gruber double German champion in Hamm

The Capricorn driver built both titles the same way: by taking pole position in each of the two classes, then converting that advantage into victory in long-distance finals where the smallest setup mistake was punished immediately by the changing conditions.

1:10 nitro touring: a Capricorn-dominated podium

In 1:10 nitro touring, Toni Gruber won ahead of Melvin Diekmann, also on Capricorn, with Fabio Arpino completing the podium. The 45-minute final was also marked by the withdrawal of Jakub Rozycki, another Capricorn driver and former ENS champion, who was unable to take the start.

1:8 on-road: Thilo Baldes charges up from ninth

The 1:8 on-road class produced the liveliest race. Starting ninth on the grid, Thilo Baldes (Serpent) climbed all the way to second behind Gruber, while Maximilian Vogl took the third step of the podium. Tobias Hepp (Infinity), second in qualifying, was unable to convert his Saturday form.

Defending champion Marco Weigerding had to retire while running second, though not before setting the fastest lap of the race. That left the way clear for Toni Gruber, the only driver to leave Hamm with two national crowns.