Tessmann takes opening Truggy qualifier
Having topped yesterday’s practice Ty Tessmann continued his form through to the opening day of qualifying at the ROAR Nationals by TQ’ing the opening round from Ryan Cavalieri, Ryan Maifield and defending champion Jared Tebo. Happy to take the round the Hot Bodies driver said his D8T felt very edgy and lacked consistency, something the winner of the Warm-up race put down to the track conditions. Expecting better track conditions for this afternoon’s second qualifier, the 18-year-old does not plan to make any set-up changes but expects to go for a harder tyre compound when the conditions at Thunder Alley should be warmer.
The runner-up at last year’s Nationals, Cavalieri said he made a small mistake but overall it was a good run. Happy with his RC8T he doesn’t plan to make any changes for Q2. Team-mate Maifield led the round until he made a ‘bad mistake’. Happy with the handling of the truck the former champion said it was geared a little too low and he will change this for his next run.
Defending Champion Jared Tebo didn’t get his opening qualifier off to a good start crashing on the opening lap. Pulling back some time he then crashed again on the penultimate lap which he said cost him second for the round. Ending up fourth the Kyosho driver said his truck was good but they have a little work to do in the engine department. Setting the fastest lap of the round, team-mate Cody King claimed the fifth fastest time. The Buggy World Champion said as always the opening qualifier was a little crazy and he had a couple of tumbles but his MP9 felt good and he is hoping for a cleaner run next time out.
Jesse Robbers, team-mate of Tessmann, described his run as ‘only OK’. Sixth fastest and the last of the drivers to record 15 laps he said his OS engine was too rich and he also had some problems with traffic.
Running a Mugen this week until the expected arrival of Durango’s truggy next month, Ryan Lutz claimed the seventh fastest time. Still learning the truck as he goes, Lutz said the rear didn’t feel right and he hopes he can improve it for Q2.
Adam Drake was top Losi taking his Novarossi powered 8ight to the eight fastest time. The Californian said the run started well until he made a mistake. Once back on track he had some issues with traffic but overall was happy with his truck. TLR team-mate Drew Moller and Mugen team driver Dylan Rodriguez completed the Top 10.
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