No improvements in Q3, Iriguchi fastest

As predicted by the main title contender themselves yesterday following the evening’s Q2 rocket round, this morning’s third qualifier so no improvements in times for the leading drivers.  A sunny start to Day 4 of the 1:8 Onroad World Championships, track conditions meant only two drivers did 36-lap runs with Mugen driver Hideki Iriguchi the surprise pace setter from current provisional TQ holder Tadahiko Sahashi. Having ended Day 1 of qualifying in 27th fastest, a change to the downstops on his OS powered MRX-5 gave Iriguchi a car he was much happier with.  Running in the 6th of the 10 qualifying groups, 10 being the fastest group, it was an early start for the Japanese driver as a change of running order meant Heat 6 was first up.  Making the most of the cooler conditions of the 07:00 starting run, his time of 36/10:15.597 was good enough to move into 8th fastest ahead of Italian National Champion Raiola Carmine and Miami runner-up Keisuke Fukuda.

The round saw a lot of incidents from top drivers.  While Tadahiko Sahashi put in a clean run, those sitting behind him in the current qualification standings all made contact with the track barriers and came off worst.  Two minutes into the top heat Jilles Groskamp launched his Shepherd into the catch fencing resulting in a front spring popping off the Velox V8 along with a broken rear wheel.  Then a minute and a half later Pre Worlds winner Takaaki Shimo, who sits 2nd fastest in front of Groskamp, had an off with his Mugen taking a very heavy impact to the rear putting him out.  Fourth fastest overall, KM Racing’s Meen Vejrak got off to the worst possible start as he lost a rear wheel off his K8.  Getting going again the Thai driver was still having issues with his engine but he too eventually broke the car too with an off.

Running in the second fastest heat and after a tough two rounds of qualifying yesterday, Atsushi Hara looked to be on target for a Top 10 time until with 3-minutes remaining he made a mistake which resulted in him retiring with damage to the rear end of his Mugen.

With temperatures rising Q4 is expected to become an extra test session for the top drivers however a few big names dont yet have that luxury and still need to salvage a time even if the track is slower.

View the event results here.

View our event image gallery here.