The 17-year-old from Sweden had to start qualifying cold following a faulty battery and a shunt with Jannes Fittje in free practice. Fourth-fastest in his group meant he started race one from eighth on the grid.

He improved his grid position by four places but still wasn't quite satisfied. "I was quickly up to third but then my car struck trouble again and I lost a place. In race two, the trouble continued and I could do no better than tenth." In the final, Eriksson fought for a place on the rostrum until he lost three spots in the melee. "I may have lost the overall lead," said he, "but I won't surrender and will fight tooth and nail to get it back."

Team mate Jonathan Cecotto, who had once led the rookie-of-the-year standings, had to make to with places 11, 15 and 27. "Following my dire grid position, I knew it was going to be tough," said the South American. "Race one went well, though, and by finishing eleventh, I only just missed out on pole for the second heat. I wanted to continue my charge but too many safety cars put paid to that."

Two 16th and one 18th spot meant Jannes Fittje was on aggregate Team Motopark's most successful driver in the Eifel mountains. "Sadly we didn't get all the ducks in line when it mattered most in qualifying," rued the German, "for otherwise I could have pulled off much more in the races as well."

Michael Waldherr started heat one from 20th spot and improved by some six spots. In race two, he had to stop following two accidents; the second of which saw him hitting a spun driver whom he couldn't avoid any more. In race three, he got a knock on one of his rear wheels which also meant retirement.

Team principal Timo Rumfpkeil sighed: "It was a weekend to forget. But from damage limitation, there was nothing we could do. But we'll try to strike back in style come the next meeting."

Source: Team