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Nations Cup glory for Spain and Netherlands (13/11/2007)

By:: Laurant
Linked to:: Serpent 720 07 1/10th scale 200mm, Serpent 960 07 1/8 scale 4WD, Serpent 720 08 1/10th scale 200mm, Serpent 960 08 1/8 scale 4WD, Serpent 966 1/8 scale 4WD EVO, Serpent 720 -09 1/10th scale 200mm, Serpent 966 -TE 1/8 scale 4WD, Serpent 966 -TE v2 1/8 scale 4WD, Serpent Nations Cup

The third running of the annual Serpent Nations Cup took place over the weekend in beautiful sunshine at the Monsanto track in Lisbon, Portugal, where 16 teams representing seven Nations gathered to race for the pride of their country.

Previously an exclusive 1:8 scale event, the 2007 edition saw the introduction of the 1:10 Nations Cup and the first 200mm touring car competition attracted drivers from Ireland, France, Spain, Holland, Sweden and host nations Portugal.

Largest of the visiting teams was that of the very smartly presented Irish squad who travelled to the 2008 IFMAR Worlds host track with 11 drivers while the smallest team was the United Nations who had just two drivers in the form of Swedish racer Peo Ola Hard and Dutchman Ruud Schuitmaker.

After Friday's practice day the competition got underway on Saturday morning with the opening round of 8-minutes races. Taking the first win of the 2007 event was Team Austria driver Rene Cornella.

In the first ever 1:10 200mm Nations Cup race Spain's Oscar Cabezas showed his team meant business taking the first win from Team Portugal (1) driver & current Portuguese National Champion Joao Malveiro.

22 more races followed on Saturday with Round 2 & 3 consisting of 15 & 10-minute race distances respectively. Taking the Leg's top honours in 1:8 it was Team Netherlands by the closest of margins finishing 2 points ahead of hosts Team Portugal (1).

In 1:10 Team Spain denied the leading Team Portugal squad Leg 1 honours by 4 points with Nations Cup debutants Team France making a strong first appearance with 3rd position in the overnight standings.

Saturday night saw drivers attend a banquet organised by Serpent's Portuguese distributor Vintesete where drivers got to reflect on what had been a busy day of racing and relax ahead of Sunday's Leg 2 which would see the first race get under way at 08:30.

The opening race of Leg 2 saw the top 3 Nations claim the top 3 places with Jose Pequito of Portugal (1) winning from Rob Kuypers of Team Netherlands with Team Austria's Daniel Tomasckho third.

In 1:10 young talent Arnaud Soulignac gave Team France victory over United Nations team driver Ruud Schuitmaker. Leg 2 would prove strong for the smallest team of the event who would finish the day second in the points.

After 44 Nations Cup races run over the 2 days, in conditions most racers can only dream off for the month of November, the 2007 Serpent Nations Cup had come to a close in the most dramatic way possible. Team Portugal (1) had won Leg 2 by 2 points leaving them equal on 163 points with Leg 1 winners and defending Champions Team Netherlands.

Unfortunately for the host nation, who have been a leading force in all three Serpent Nations Cup events, the tie break would be determined on the number of wins achieved by each team and this meant the Cup was returning to Holland with Team Netherlands drivers Rob Kuyper, Stanley Bauer, John Ermen and Miquel Hereijgers. Third overall went to Team Austria.

In 1:10, Team Spain's quest to secure the first ever Nations Cup title was never seriously threatened and the squad of Oscar Cabezas, Rodrigo Pahissa, Javier Hidalgo, Adrian Ortiz and David Lopez deservedly claimed top honours. Completing the 1:10 podium where Team Portugal (1) and a delighted Team France.

With the third Nations Cup successfully completed Serpent Motorsport would like to congratulate Team Netherlands and Team Spain on their success and extend a special thank you to all the teams who travelled to Lisbon.

We look forward to seeing you all again at the 2008 Serpent Nations Cup and to welcoming new Nations into this unique and friendly team event.

To get a feel for the 2007 event check out the following video which was compiled by Team Ireland - http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=bc4VBnKEjGY

1:8
Leg 1 Result
1. Team Netherlands
2. Team Portugal 1
3. Team Austria
4. Team Portugal 2
5. Team Spain
6. Team Portugal 3
7. Team Ireland

Leg 2 Result
1. Team Portugal (1)
2. Team Netherlands
3. Team Austria
4. Team Ireland
5. Portugal (3)
6. Portugal (2)
7. Team Spain

1:10
Leg 1 Result
1. Team Spain
2. Team Portugal (1)
3. Team France
4. Team Portugal (3)
5. Team Portugal (2)
6. Team Ireland (1)
7. Team United Nations
8. Team Portugal (5)
9. Team Ireland (2)

Leg 2 Result
1. Team Spain
2. Team United Nations
3. Team France
4. Team Portugal (1)
5. Team Portugal (3)
6. Team Portugal (2)
7. Team Ireland (1)
8. Team Portugal (5)
9. Team Ireland (2)

Overall Result
1:8
1. Team Netherlands - 163
2. Team Portugal (1) - 163
3. Team Austria - 149
4. Team Portugal (2) - 119
5. Team Portugal (3) - 107
6. Team Ireland - 105
7. Team Spain - 95

1:10
1. Team Spain - 194 points
2. Team Portugal (1) - 164
3. Team France - 154
4. Team Portugal (3) - 140
5. Team Portugal (2) - 129
6. Team United Nations - 120
7. Team Ireland (1) - 116
8. Team Portugal (5) - 105
9. Team Ireland (2) - 86