Rheinard ends Hara domination
Marc Rheinard has TQ’d the fourth round of qualifying for the 2008 IFMAR Touring Car Worlds to bring to an end Atsushi Hara’s domination. The two former World Champions swapped times throughout the heat with Rheinard finally stopping the clocks in the faster time by just 2/10ths of a second.
The Tamiya driver used a fresh set of tyres for the high temperature run and said afterwards that he feels the TRF416 works better than his rivals Hot Bodies which has had the advantage around the RCS track when conditions are cooler. The German, who is chasing second on the grid, said Hara’s fastest TQ time will be impossible to beat has another set of new tyres but doesn’t know which of the last two heats to use them in. Heat No.5 will be another hot run while the final qualifier should be a lot cooler. Currently it is 37 degrees here in the pits.
Hara was slightly frustrated to see his run of TQs end saying ‘just 2/10th, it was so close’. The Japanese Hot Bodies/Orion driver used the session to try a set-up for the first A Main which is scheduled to run at around the same time tomorrow. Running used tyres and a set-up to give his Cyclone TC more steering, Hara said the car had too much bite. With one new set of control tyres at his disposal he plans to try another set-up in the penultimate heat.
Meen Vejrak continues to impress, the relatively unknown Thai driver coming into this event, again finished in the Top 3 with a time that was just 1.7 seconds off two of the biggest names in the sport. Running an LRP powered Xray, Vejrak said he feels he is going the right way now with the set-up. Currently on target to be the top placed Xray in the finals the humble 23-year-old is not taking anything for granted just yet.
Ronald Volker said he was unable to attack due to bad understeer which he is putting down to a new bodyshell. The German, who still holds the fastest lap time of this championships, ran a new standard Protoform Mazda Speed 6 featuring a different paint design but will revert to his first shell which he feels worked better.
Having endured a tough first day of qualifying, Pre World race winner Viktor Wilck got Day 2 off to a good start posting the fifth fastest time. Two DNF’s yesterday meant that a good run was essential if he was to stand any chance of securing a place in the A Main and afterwards the factory Tamiya driver admitted to being very relieved. Wilck said he will again drive on the cautious side for Heat No.5 and should that go well he will give 110% in the last to try and put himself as high up the grid as possible.
Sixth fastest time with the fastest 18 lap time was Masami Hirosaka’s Yokomo followed by Jilles Groskamp, Elliot Harper, Hayato Matsuzaki and Surikarn who completed the Top 10. Top Associated for the round was Rick Hohwart with 11th fastest time while Shin Adachi was fastest of the Kyosho runners in 14th. Reigning Champion Andy Moore didnt finish his run after rolling his Hot Bodies.
Top 10 results from round 4
1. Marc Rheinard (Tamiya/SpeedPassion) – 19 Lap 5:14.198
2. Atsushi Hara (HB/Team Orion) – 19 Lap 5:14.445
3. Meen Vejrak (Xray/LRP) – 19 Lap 5:15.997
4. Ronald Volker (HB/LRP) – 19 Lap 5:16.069
5. Viktor Wilck (Tamiya/SpeedPassion) – 19 Lap 5:16.803
6. Masami Hirosaka (Yokomo/Nosram) – 18 Lap 5:00.026
7. Jilles Groskamp (Tamiya/SpeedPassion) – 18 Lap 5:00.818
8. Elliot Harper (Xray/Nosram) – 18 Lap 5:01.359
9. Hayato Matsuzaki (HB/LRP) – 18 Lap 5:01.513
10. Surikarn C. (HB/SpeedPassion) – 18 Lap 5:02.084
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