Maifield tops FP3

Team Associated’s Ryan Maifield produced the fastest lap of the third free practice taking his heavily modified RC8 around in a best time of 43.963 in what were overall slower conditions as the track becomes more rutted.  Running in Group 7 of 12, Maifield was the only driver to record a 43-second lap with Lee Martin, Ryan Lutz and Ty Tessmann closest on pace with 44.044, 44.058 and 44.137 fastest laps respectively.

Changing to a harder compound of JConcepts’ new Metrix tyre and fitted with a softer insert, Maifield said the combination was good and despite a few driver errors as he tried different lines the 10-minute run went well.  Planning to run the same tyre in the days third and final free practice this evening he is planning to make a few adjustments to his set-up to ‘keep up with the track’.  With more ruts developing he said he will tweak the geometry to make the buggy roll more to help it over the bumps.

Driving a new prototype Durango, Lutz said they are still trying a lot of new things.  While happy to set the third fastest lap of the round despite an insect attack during the run the American said the buggy lacks consistency.  While some of this was down to the driver he said they need to improve stability through the high speed corners.

Tessmann, whose fastest lap of 43.274 from this morning’s first run remains the quickest lap of the Buenos Aires track, used his second run of the day to back to back Proline’s new Diamond Back against the Blockade.  The 19-year-old said the Diamond Back, which was only named yesterday and doesnt yet have the name molded into the tyre, gave him an easier buggy to drive but the Blockade gave better forward bite.  Based on the testing of the two tyres, for FP4 the Canadian will run the Blockade but change to a different front spring on his D8-12 to try and get benefit of the extra traction but make the buggy a little easier to drive.

A man that impressed so many of his rivals yesterday with his maximum attack driving style, British National Champion Elliot Boots took his Kyosho to the fifth fastest time in FP2 with a 44.214 lap followed closely by Mugen’s Robert Batlle on a 44.228 and Associated’s Yannick Aigoin on a 44.288.

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