Rheinard comes close in Q4

For the first time at the 2012 1:12 World Championships Naoto Matsukura’s dominance came under threat with Marc Rheinard on target to outpace the young Japanese star in the fourth round of qualifying before, as the German put it himself, made a ‘stupid mistake’ half way into the 8-minute run. As a result Matsukura once again topped the time sheets with another 39-lap run, the defending World Champion still the only driver to break pass 38 laps.

While Rheinard’s crash was a big disappointment for his CRC team the round did produce strong runs from the teams other drivers Andy Moore and Elliot Harper who set the 2nd & 3rd fastest time respectively.  Running the American manufacturer’s standard car, Moore knocked over 2 seconds off his previous best despite contact with the fourth member of the team Simo Ahoniemi who is also running the standard chassis.  Planning to switch to the same softer compound of CRC tyre as used by Rheinard & Harper, the former European Champion hopes this will give him better overall traction for the remaining two rounds.

With all four team drivers currently holding an A-Main qualifying position, 19-year-old Harper improved his pace by almost 4-seconds after a front roll centre change made his new prototype narrow chassis easier and more consistent to drive.  Having not raced much 1:12 recently due to touring car and University commitments, the 2010 World Finalist said since handing over his car preparation to Brian Wynn, after changes he made himself to the car in yesterday’s practice made it almost undriveable, things have started to improve each run.

Elsewhere Team Xray’s Alexander Hagberg, who ran three clean opening qualifiers and sits 4th in the ranking list, took a more aggressive approach in the fourth round resulting in a big mistake on lap 30 that cost him a massive 11-seconds.

Round 4 Qualification – Top 10 times
1. Naoto Matsukura (JP) – Yokomo – 39/8:09.572
2. Andy Moore (GB) – CRC – 38/8:04.193
3. Elliot Harper (GB) – CRC – 38/8:04.308
4. Jilles Groskamp (NL) – Onpoint – 38/8:05.026
5. Ronald Völker (DE) – Associated – 38/8:05.451
6. Olly Jeffries (GB) – Associated – 38/8:08.185
7. Simo Ahoniemi (FI) – CRC – 38/8:09.053
8. Markus Mobers (DE) – Onpoint – 38/8:11.287
9. Juho Levänen (FI) – Associated – 37/8:00.318
10.Rick Hohwart (US) – Associated – 37/8:02.195

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