Tebo bounces back in penultimate 2WD Qualifier
Having failed to make the Top 10 in either of yesterday’s 2WD Buggy Qualifiers Kyosho’s Jared Tebo bounced back today at the Pro-Line Cactus Classic to TQ Q3 and put himself right into contention for Top Qualifier honours at the Arizona event. Just missing out on a 13 lap run, Tebo set the pace ahead of defending Cactus Champion Ryan Maifield by exactly 4/10th of a second with Q1 pace setter Ryan Cavalieri completing the Top 3.
Having struggled for traction on his Ultima RB5 in the opening qualifier in which he was only 13th fastest, Tebo changed tyres for Q2 which gave the buggy a lot of grip but not expecting such an improvement the former World Champion over drove resulting in him being classified 15th for the round. Dropped down to the second fastest group of heats following yesterday’s below par performance, Tebo said he knew what to expect from his Orion powered buggy in the penultimate qualifier and a TQ run was the result.
Maifield, who set the fastest lap for Q3, had little to say other than his B4.1 was good but just didn’t get it done. Running a fresh set of inserts for Q3, Cavalieri said it took most of the race before they started to feel right. Not wanting to continue with the same set of inserts he had already run in practice and the previous qualifiers, he said at the start of the run they caused the buggy to lack grip on landings but by the end of the 5-minutes they felt good. With the inserts ready for the final qualifier and tomorrow’s finals the World Champion said he he was happy to take third for the round.
Having finished 6th fastest in Q1 and then only 11th in Q2, 15-year-old TLR star Dakotah Phend said he went for a safe run with another Top 6 run his target so as to ensure he qualifies direct for the A-Main. A clean run took him to fifth and with the pressure now off he says he can push for a TQ run in the concluding qualifier. Fastest in last night’s Q2 Dustin Evans had a rough Q3. Crashing on the opening lap the US National Champion said he over drove trying to make back the time but that made things worse and he ended up only 8th fastest. With his TLR22 better in cooler condition, as proven last night, Evans said he is confident about his chances for this evening’s TQ deciding final heat.
Another driver to turn things around today was Team Durango’s Travis Amezcua. Having had his DEX210 shutdown in the opening two rounds he set the 5th fastest time. Improving his buggy from yesterday the main change being the angle of his shocks, Amezcua said the biggest factor in his improved pace was down to him driving much better today. Happy with his set-up now he said he will just reduce his drag brake a little for Q4.
Changing from silver to red compound Losi Taper Pins Tamiya’s Lee Martin said his TRF201 was more difficult to drive with more steering was quicker to drive then yesterday. Despite one of his rear tyres coming unglued three laps from the finish, which made the buggy very difficult on the turn in at the end of the main straight, the European Champion still managed the 6th fastest time. The British driver asked us to point out that he did not glue the tyres in question.
Round 3 Qualification (Top 6)
2WD Buggy
1. Jared Tebo – Kyosho – 12/5:00.185
2. Ryan Maifield – Associated – 12/5:00.585
3. Ryan Cavalieri – Associated – 12/5:03.223
4. Dakotah Phend – TLR – 12/5:04.113
5. Travis Amezcua – Durango – 12/5:07.489
6. Lee Martin – Tamiya – 12/5:09.118
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