Tessmann runs out of fuel but still takes Q1

Despite running out of fuel on his final lap, Ty Tessmann took the first round of buggy qualifying at the US National Championships in Hutto, Texas.  On target for the only 10 lap run of the first of the four qualifiers,  the HB driver would run dry just after completing the fastest lap of the round but would still top the timesheets with a 9/6:57.187 run.  Behind the 2012 Champion, Kyosho’s Jared Tebo would set the second fastest time 1.2 seconds up on last year’s overall Top Qualifier Dakotah Phend.  Defending champion Adam Drake would only post the 20th fastest time, the TLR driver saying he just didn’t drive very well.

At a loss as to why he ran out of fuel, mileage being an issue for a number of drivers with Phend, Ryan Lutz and Ryan Maifield all having problems after crossing the finish line, Tessmann said while he was happy to TQ he was now a little worried about mileage.  Able to get 8:30 from his OS Speed engine yesterday, he said it could be simply down to today’s warmer temperature as over the run the engine ‘didn’t feel weird’ to drive.  Describing the track as ‘loose but the same for everybody’ he said his D812 and Pro-Line X2 Blockade tyres both worked well for the conditions and he will most likely stay with the same set-up & tyre combo for Q2.

‘Definitely what I need for my confidence’ was Tebo’s reaction to his P2 run.  Having been somewhat lacking compared to his rivals in practice yesterday, the 2010 Champion said an engine switch and change of shock position on his Orion powered MP9 had resulted in a big improvement. Describing the track as getting looser and looser, he said he will for Q2 change the set-up to try and find just a little more overall grip.

Describing conditions as ‘hard’, Phend said he had to work hard not  to overdrive on the ‘dry and dusty’ track as it was so easy to end up out in the dust.  Suffering one crash which required his Orion powered 8ight to be marshalled costing him up to 4-seconds he said the rest of the run was ok with the buggy working ‘really good’.  Planning to leave it the same for Q2, he said his focus will be on driving smoother and making no mistakes.

‘A solid safe run’ was how Carson Wernimont summed up his run to the fourth fastest time.  The Mugen driver said he tried nothing crazy and just drove it.  Running AKA soft Enduro tyres on his MBX7 he said they coped well for the track conditions.  Describing the track as getting ‘pretty greasy’ he expects a lot of drivers are going to struggle in Q2 for forward drive and key to a good run is going to be to roll the car around the corner and keep up as much momentum as possible.  The 17-year-old said he might make a small tweak to the buggy’s set-up.

Like in Truggy Josh Wheeler would set the fifth fastest time.  Running in the second fastest heat, the Xray driver had issues with a lapped buggy on his last lap, which cost him time, but was still happy with the run saying ‘I’ll take a 5’.  Having found his XB8 really easy to drive in the seeding practice yesterday but lacking when it came to his position on the timesheets for qualifying he removed the front hub weights.  Making the buggy a little harder to drive he said it was faster and for Q2 he will continue with the same set-up.

Completing the Top 6 was Kyosho’s Cody King.  The former World Champion said the position was as good as he could have got as he was fighting his MP9 a little.  Running softer compound tyres to his rivals, the buggy fitted with X3 Blockade, he said it was ‘squirmy’ out of the corners.  Making a similar change to that he made to his truggy, he said the set-up change did improve it and with a better tyre choice for Q2 things should be better.

Behind King, former champion Ryan Cavalieri was the best placed Associated driver in 7th followed by team-mate and reigning 4WD Electric buggy World Champion Steven Hartson.  Having set the pace in practice yesterday, Ryan Lutz would manage only the tenth fastest time.  The Team Durango driver said he had a Top 3 pace but traffic issues, namely Drake, held him up.

Q1 Buggy times – Top 10
1. Ty Tessmann – HB/OS Speed – 9/6:57.187
2. Jared Tebo – Kyosho/Orion – 9/7:00.249
3. Dakotah Phend – TLR/Orion – 9/7:01.506
4. Carson Wernimont – Mugen/OS Speed – 9/7:03.478
5. Josh Wheeler – Xray/OS Speed – 9/7:03.687
6. Cody King – Kyosho/Reds Racing – 9/7:04.041
7. Ryan Cavalieri – Associated/Orion – 9/7:04.368
8. Steven Hartson – Associated/LRP – 9/7:05.375
9. Josh Glancy – TLR – 9/7:05.375
10.Ryan Lutz – Durango/Alpha – 9/7:08.127

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