Maifield & Tessmann fastest in P2
The second round of practice at the Reedy Race of Champions saw Ryan Maifield and Ty Tessmann up the pace at OCRC. Maifield’s Centro converted Associated B4.2 topped 2WD over a single fastest lap with a time of 19.595 from Jared Tebo with new Schumacher signing Carson Wernimont an impressive third. In 4WD, HB’s Tessmann ran an 18.699 lap time ahead of World Champion Steven Hartson and Kyosho’s Cody King.
Saying the race is ‘not about being fastest but also consistency’, Maifield described his 2WD as ‘really good’. Describing his 4WD as a ‘good race car’ he said his Reedy powered B44.2 was ‘getting there’ after changes made to the shock set-up but it was still ‘too safe’. Planning to continue with the direction of change he made after P1, he said he will use P3 to see what that does and then make a call on the best set-up for tomorrow’s opening race of the 20th Reedy Race of Champions.
Having been in California for the past week and done a lot of testing at OCRC for the event, Tessman said both his cars ran ‘really good’. Running a fresh set of tyres for each of the rounds for P3 he will go out on used tyres for the first time. Asked about set-up he said from testing they have a good idea ‘what to expect’ and when to make changes. Running his World Championship podium finishing D4-13 in 4WD, in 2WD the Canadian ace is using a prototype buggy which is a combination of a Kyosho and Centro Associated with a HB chassis.
Second fastest in 2WD, Tebo broke the wing mount off his prototype 4WD in the second practice but the 2WD World Champion said ‘all feels pretty good’. Having run used tyres in P2, he said for him there was little difference between starting out with new or used and he was happy running either. Team-mate King, who was 3rd fastest in 4WD, was pleased with his runs saying he is just trying to fine tune everything. Making tiny changes between runs he said due to the track layout which should see everyone very close on pace it is important to have the buggies comfortable and consistent to drive.
Running the same set-up as P1, Hartson said second time round both his buggies felt ‘a lot better’ due to a combination of the traction coming up and tyres being broken in. Planning to stick with the same set of the controlled JConcepts tyres on his 2WD, for P3 he will fit a new set of the spec Pro-Line tyres to his 4WD due to this more powerful class having higher tyre wear.
Hartson’s AE team-mate and defending Champion Ryan Cavalieri used the second practice to break in another set of tyres on both his buggies adding that it was hard to truly judge right now where everyone is at in terms of pace. Feeling his 4WD lacking a little in terms of side bite for P3, the former multiple World Champion plans to fit a ball diff to his B44.2. In 2WD he will make a less significant change to his B4.2 Centro adjusting the roll centres.
Third fastest in 2WD, 17-year-old Wernimont was pleased with the performance of his new Cougar KF. Leaving the set-up the same from the morning P1 run he said he just waited for the track to come in and focused on improving his own driving. Feeling he could do with a little more steering to enable him to push a little harder, last year’s Open class champion, will make some small changes for his next run. Unfortunately its been a tough start in 4WD with him breaking his K1 Aero in both runs after just over a minute of running. Describing his few laps he did manage as ‘decent’ he said hopefully in Q3 he can run the full 5-minutes of track time.
Former Champion Joern Neumann said his 2WD Durango had more traction compared to the morning and the European Champion was pleased with how P2 went. Suffering from oversteer on his 4WD, he will adjust his front shock position to reduce steering for P3. Fellow top European challenger Lee Martin was happy with the performance of his 2WD Yokomo but will make changes to his B-Max 4. Looking to make it roll more he will change gearing so as to push the motor more to the outside of the chassis.
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