As with any event in which the points system is used for qualifying, the final two rounds of the 200mm IFMAR Worlds are shaping up to shake up the overall order. Drivers desperate for a good points finish will try to put in a safe run, while those who were lucky enough to be clean so far can afford to push harder in the later heats. You can see the effect the differing strategies can have on the finishing order by checking out the fifth round leaderboard - especially the lack of top names like Teemu Leino, Dario Balestri, Mark Green, and Tadahiko Sahashi - all of whom flamed out.
“That’s the first time in two days that I could feel the car,” said Team Serpent driver Dominik Greiner after not only scoring a TQ run, but actually give himself a shot at earning the overall. The German made “a complete setup change” to his 748 Natrix, altering the front geometry and adding weight make the car more stable and easy to drive. Now that he felt he lacked a bit of steering at the beginning of the run, Greiner will move the additional ballast further rearward to reduce the push. “I think my car will be really good for the finals,” said Greiner.
Alexander Hagberg came within one second of locking up the overall TQ, saying that his NT1 2014 lacked a little bit of steering but will make for a comfortable drive in the finals. “The handling is pretty easy to drive, and I’ve got good fuel mileage,” said the Swede, who admitted that while he may not be able to go as fast as what is perhaps possible, his settings will be more comfortable for longer races on Saturday. “It going to be pretty close with Dominik,” said Hagberg about earning the overall TQ. “I’m just going to do my best and we’ll see what happens.”
Former podium finisher Takehiro Terauchi tipped up on two wheels twice in the fifth round, saying that his car “felt like it was floating on the track,” but otherwise had a clean run. The Japanese driver made no changes for the fifth round and doesn’t plan any for the last qualifier as well, coming to terms with the fact that the track is simply difficult because of the high grip.
“It was really good,” said Simon Kurzbuch of his Shepherd Velox V10, adding, “I had more steering this round - perhaps because the track changed a bit.” Not quite comfortable with his points entering Q5, the Swiss driver said, “I needed one more safe run, so that was good.” Now comfortably locked into the semi, Simon will install a new engine and perhaps make some small changes to the car.
With a sixth place finish in Q5, Jeff Hammon said, “It was really good. I just wanted to put in a safe run, so I tried not to roll or hit the curbs.” The Mugen Seiki driver raised his rear ride height .4mm, moved the body further back, and backed off the clutch settings all in an effort to make his MTX-6 easier to drive. The Aussie was modest about the performance of the car though, admitting, “it has been good all week - it has been all me.”
Top 16 - Round Five
Driver - Country (Car/Engine/Controlled Fuel Choice/Body)
- Dominik Greiner - DEU (Serpent/Max/Maxima/SRC) - 21/5:02.490
- Alexander Hagberg - SWE (XRAY/ORCAN/Maxima/PROTOform) - 21/5:03.420
- Takehiro Terauchi - JPN (Mugen Seiki/Novarossi/Cosmo/PROTOform) - 21/5:04.470
- Nicholas Lee - SGP (XRAY/Novarossi/Maxima/PROTOform) - 21/5:04.684
- Simon Kurzbuch - SUI (Shepherd/Novarossi/Maxima/PROTOform) - 21/5:05.045
- Jeff Hammon - AUS (Mugen Seiki/Novaross/Maxima/PROTOform) - 21/5:05.232
- Kyle Branson - GBR (Capricorn/XRD/Maxima/PROTOform) - 21/5:05.702
- Takaaki Shimo - JPN (Mugen Seiki/O.S./Cosmo/PROTOform) - 21/5:05.798
- JJ Wang - USA (Mugen Seiki/Novarossi/Maxima/PROTOform) - 21/5:05.882
- Andy Moore - GBR (HB/Maxima/Maxima/PROTOform) - 21/5:07.077
- Meen Vejrak - THA (KM Racing/O.S./Cosmo/PROTOform) - 21/5:07.136
- Bruno Coelho - PRT (XRAY/O.S./Maxima/PROTOform) - 21/5:07.190
- Dirk Wischnewski - DEU (Shepherd/ORCAN/Maxima/SRC) - 21/5:07.538
- Surikarn Chaidajsuriya - THA (Mugen Seiki/Maxima/Maxima/PROTOform) - 21/5:09.397
- Sinnosuke Yokoyama - JPN (XRAY/O.S./Cosmo/PROTOform) - 21/5:09.575
- Alessio Mazzeo - ITA (Serpent/Max/Maxima/SRC) - 21/5:09.651
Here are the points updated after round five:
11/13/2014
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