Vik takes Q2 at JConcepts Indoor Nats
Tyler Vik took the second round of 4WD Buggy qualifying at the JConcepts Summer Indoor Nationals, the Xray driver heading the times as the lead drivers broke into the 21-laps at the Outback Raceway in Chico, California. Running in the second fastest heat, Vik took the round from Q1 pace setter Ryan Maifield with qualifying top seed Drew Moller completing the Top 3.
Top Qualifier at the Spring Indoor Nationals in Tacoma, Washington, back in April, Vik said his ‘car was perfect’ adding he ‘just had to drive it’. Making a mistake early in the run, he said while it is impossible to make back up any time on this track in the end he was the driver with the smaller mistakes referring to Maifield’s late mistake in the following heat. Running AKA Typo tyres all round on his XB4, he said for the final qualifier he would be paying attention to the track to see if he needs to run slicks saying right now that it is on edge regarding tyre choice.
Maifield said he lost out on the TQ due to a mistake but overall he felt his TLR22-4 was good after making ‘a couple of adjustments’ after Q1. While most drivers made comment to the fact that the track conditions had change a lot since they stopped watering it, reporting traction getting super high, Maifield said it didn’t feel that different to him. Describing his JConcepts shod buggy as being ‘really consistent’ he said the only improvement he would like to make now is to gain a little more speed in the 180 corners. Checking out his front diff he said he will rebuild it for Q3 as it didn’t feel as smooth as he would like it.
Moller described his second run as ‘good’ adding he drove more consistent than in the morning avoiding making any crashes over the 5-minutes. The A-Main Hobbies backed driver said grip levels had gone ‘sky high’ since Q1 but his HB D413 adapted well. Running the same set of Pro-Line Electron tyres he ran in Q1, the 18-year-old said that while the track is almost ready for slicks his set of tyres were now almost a set of slicks so he would just continue with the same package for the final qualifier.
Continuing to make a strong impression this weekend Daimon Borkowicz posted the fourth fastest time. The protege of JConcepts owner Jason Ruona, the talented youngster said he found his Reedy powered Associated B44.2 a ‘little harder to drive’ on the drier track adding that when the track was being waterred it was more forgiving. With his 4th and 2nd from Q1 locking him into the A-Main, he plans to try something for Q3 in the hope of finding something better to run in the A-Main but what changes he will make he will decide nearer the time of the run.
The only top driver to run slicks, a set of Dremeled down JConcepts Barcodes, Steven Hartson would post the 5th fastest time. The World Champion said his LRP powered B44.2 was very fast but he joked he couldn’t stay on the track with them. While the car was difficult to drive on the slicks he said he was not sure what tyre choice to make for the final round adding that while traction is increasing due to them not watering the track by the time Q3 comes around dust could be an issue.
Completing the Top 6 was JR Mitch who was winner of the series opening race – the Winter Indoor Nationals in St.Louis. The Team Losi Racing driver said after a spring change his TLR22-4 was better through the sweeper. Suffering one bobble, he said how he drove after the mistake was how he should have driven the whole qualifier. For Q3 and with the ‘bite coming up’, the Florida driver will refreshen his shocks for the final run.
4WD Buggy Qualifying Round 2
1. Tyler Vik – Team Xray – 21/5:12.833
2. Ryan Maifield – Team Losi Racing – 21/5:13.020
3. Drew Moller – A-Main Hobbies (HB) – 21/5:13.187
4. Damion Borkowicz – Team Associated – 20/5:02.346
5. Steven Hartson – Team Associated – 20/5:03.913
6. JR Mitch – Team Losi Racing – 20/5:05.363
7. Brian Strange – Team Associated – 20/5:05.843
8. Derek Stephansen – 20/5:06.113
9. Eric Albano – Team Associated – 20/5:08.968
10.John Walentia – Team Associated – 20/5:10.780
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