Red RC Events » Hara tops final practice in Bangkok

November 14, 2008

Hara tops final practice in Bangkok

‘I think no more B Main’ was the reply from Atsushi Hara after he topped the final practice session of the 2008 IFMAR World Championships here at RCS in the fastest time we have seen yet. The Hot Bodies team leader produced 19 laps in 05:13.010, laying down a fastest lap time of 16.306 to head fellow Cyclone TC driver Ronald Volker who stopped the clocks at 05:14.025. Both Hara and Volker said track conditions were a lot better than yesterday and that can be seen on the time sheets as five drivers managed 19 lap runs.

2000 World Champion Hara said his car actually had a little too much traction but was much happier with the handling today. German Volker was pleased also with the improved feeling of his car this morning and thinks it will be even better when he runs new rubber in the first heat.

Having dominated yesterday’s controlled practice Masami Hirosaka was third fastest this morning but the Yokomo driver said he was using the session to try a number of things and so wasn’t too worried about Hara and Volker outpacing him.

People were pointing at his name on the time sheets in free practice and asking ‘who is this guy’ but now the name Meen Vejrak is rolling of the tongues of his rivals as the Thai driver continues to impress with his fast pace. Driving his LRP powered Xray the 23-year-old was fourth fastest and top Xray this morning with his T2 009 placing just ahead of factory driver Alexander Hagberg who was the only other driver to break in to the 19 laps.

Interestingly Jilles Groskamp, who was second fastest yesterday, was so pleased with the handling of his factory Tamiya that he pulled in early in the final practice.

So practice is over but its now that things get serious and times really count as the first round of qualifiers here in Bangkok get underway. Three heats lie ahead for the drivers followed by three more tomorrow with the best three deciding the grids for Sunday’s Finals. Only 10 drivers can make the A Main and with such a quality line up here the fight for a place on the grid that will decide the 2008 World Champion is set to be intense.

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After the recent ISTC World Championships in California, Red RC gets ready to switches from electric power to nitro power as well as travel to the other side of the World to bring you coverage of the 10th edition of the IFMAR 1:10 Nitro World Championship. With support from Maxima RC Racing Fuel, T-Work’s Asia, Rapicon Max Power RC Fuel, SMART-Workshop, and Infinity, we are excited to be returning to Huge RC Circuit in Bangkok, Thailand, the track of former ISTC World Champion Suirkan Chaidajsuriya hosting the WC for a second time. In 2014 we got to witness Alexander Hagberg claim his first & Xray’s second World title at this unique (and huge!) indoor track. With 2024 a year that we have already seen two historic World title hat tricks, will we see Infinity’s Tadahiko Sahashi become the first ever driver to defend their 1:10 Nitro title? Our coverage starts on November 19 (Tuesday) and runs through to Saturday’s title deciding 1-hour final. We looking forward to you following along as IFMAR crowns its final World Champion of 2024.