Kaerup & Kobbeik Top Qualifiers at MIBO International
Kicking off Mains day at MIBO International with the fifth & final qualifier, it would not net any changes in terms of who will be starting on pole in the Czech Republic, Marcus Kaerup keeping the overall TQ in 4WD while Daniel Kobbevik repeated his 2024 TQ of 2WD. With 3 from 5 to count, drivers first battle of the day was to decide 2WD with Kaerup needing a TQ run and the fastest time of the weekend to deny Kobbevik, the scenario reversed for 4WD. While Kaerup started well, his Team Associated running at the top of the timing screens he touched a pipe and rolled ending his chances as Bartosz Zaleswski took the round ahead of Martin Bayer to secure P3 on the grid as Kobbevik’s Schumacher locked in the overall TQ. In 4WD, with Kaerup on 3rd run tyres, Kobbevik moved quickly to the front on track but it was defending Champion Zaleswski who had the fastest buggy. The only driver dipping into 16-second lap times, he kicked off his day with a second TQ run finishing almost 6-seconds clear of Kobbevik who got a P2 for the round and held that same spot on the starting grid behind Kaerup. Again the 18-year-old will be the leading Xray challenger also lining up P3 in 4WD.
Summing up the final round of qualifying Kaerup was pleased to get the Top Qualifier honours for 4WD on his MIBO International debut saying, ‘It was my third run on those tyres so I was a little behind on pace and Daniel could get by me but in the end we have the TQ and I am confident for the finals’. On 2WD he explained, ‘I hit a pipe and rolled but the car is good and starting from P2 is fine, the finals are going to be all about the 5-minutes’, the track has been challenging even the best of the drivers to go the full distance without a mistake.
‘A good start to the day to get the TQ overall again. I did the same last year but this time I will try to keep it together in the finals. I feel the car is good for the Mains’, was Kobbevik’s reaction to becoming the 2WD Top Qualifier. On 4WD he said, ‘I knew it was going to be difficult to get the TQ and in a better time than Marcus if I was to take the TQ. I’m happy with second.’ With tyres playing a big role in the final qualifying round, the Norwegian hinted that he has played the tyre game well for the finals.
