3 out 3 for Matsukura in Florida
At a somewhat subdued 1:12 World Championship, only 44 drivers contesting the longest running electric category World Championships, Naoto Matsukura made it three out three in qualifying at the Florida event. Round 3 of qualifying saw the Yokomo driver again top the times as he became the first & only driver to run 53-laps over 8-minutes to put himself on provisional pole for his quest for a fourth consecutive title. With 3 from 6 rounds to count the only way the Japanese driver can now be denied becoming Top Qualifier is for one driver to top all three remaining qualifiers, the last of which takes place tomorrow morning. Behind Matsukura the continually improving Marc Rheinard, who was 4th in Q1 and 3rd in Q2, set the second fastest time with Hideo Kitazawa completing the Top 3.
Running a larger diameter tyre for the third qualifier, Matsukura said the change improved his R12 C3.1, a fact that was clearly highlighted by him upping the pace to 53 laps having been slightly slower than his first round pace in Q2. Describing the run as ‘95% correct’ he said he had a few small mistakes but nothing too major. Gaining his confidence, having been left somewhat stunned by Alexander Hagberg’s pace in yesterday’s practice, for Q4 he will again run his Yokomo tyres to the same larger diameter adding with that change in mind they will make some very small tweaks to the car.
‘OK’ was how Rheinard summed up his qualifier. A former 1:12 Worlds podium finisher, the German said a change to a brand new battery left him lacking ‘punch’ towards the end of the run. In terms of his CRC he said while it had a little understeer it was easy to drive and he was happy to continue to run it as is. While his battery issue was most likely due to it only having one charge on it he will play safe and revert to the pack he used in the earlier qualifiers.
While he had a tough Q2 in terms of crashes ending up only 8th fastest, Kitazawa said his Morotech was ‘now going a lot better’ after he extended the timing of his tyre sauce. Able to run a much cleaner Q3 he plans to further clean up his driving in Q4 adding with the car working well he will leave it as is.
Another driver benefiting from improved driving was 3-time French National Champion Alexandre Laurent. 15th and 11th in the opening two qualifiers, the Blackart driver took his XB22 conversion CRC to the fourth fastest time. Having improved the balance of the car by changing tyre size and adjustments to the front end he said while the car is still pushing a little it is very consistent over the 8-minutes. For Q4 he will focus attentions on further improving his driving style.
3rd fastest in Q1, Masatsugu Ido would take his Yokomo to the 5th fastest time. Describing his R12 C3.2 as running ‘really good’, the category newcomer said he lost time with a ‘couple of mistakes’ at the beginning of the run. With ‘no need to change the car’ he will try to clean up his driving for Q4.
The categories most winning manufacturer, Team Associated managed a Top 6 run thanks to US National Champion Keven Hebert. The Canadian said ultimately he drove better but added that in terms of set-up Q3 also saw them get headed in the right direction. While getting closer to what they need for the low grip track he said it is still not quite right with a general lack of steering the main issue but he is positive they have started to make progress in that area.
Having changed tyre for Q2, something that didn’t work out leaving him with no rear traction, Markus Mobers reverted to his Q1 tyre choice to set the 7th fastest time. The On-Point creator, said while the car was good for 5-minutes he had a big drop off in traction for the final 3-minutes. Planning to stick with the same Mobgum tyre for Q4 he will run them with a larger diameter which he hopes will lead to a more consistent car from start to finish.
Setting the 9th fastest time behind CRC driver Kazuki Endo, Donny Lia would set the fastest lap of the round. Running in the top heat, the American is still having too many mistakes one of which resulted in Xray’s Olly Jefferies, who for a time was running the TQ pace, ending upside down. Needing to be marshalled Jefferies would complete the Top 10 for Q3.
Elsewhere, 2012 runner-up Andy Moore would retire while running ahead of Laurent after stripping a spur gear while an electric issue with also see Touring Car World Champion Jilles Groskamp DNF. Alexander Hagberg again couldn’t translate his practice pace in a qualifying run with the Swede struggling with a lack of traction something he is putting down to the track having changed.
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