The points are still close after one-third of the Invitational program, but even still there are a few drivers who’ve managed to stand out - especially as two-time defending champion Ryan Cavalieri suffered from bad luck in the second and third rounds, finishing seventh and fifth. That left the door open not only for drivers like last year’s runner-up, Ryan Maifield, but Invitational class rookie Spencer Rivkin as the Arizonan youngster sits second after four rounds of 2WD.
Even though he was the points leader after Day One, Ryan Maifield said, “It was okay, but it could’ve went better.” Disappointed that he let a win get away in the second round with a late-race mistake, last year’s runner-up said it was still a good start to the weekend. “You just have to do what you have to do,” said Maifield.
Racing in the Invitational class for the first time and sitting second after Day One, last year’s 4WD Open champion Spencer Rivkin said, “yesterday went really good.” Acknowledging that he races 2WD more so that he might be stronger in this portion, his 4WD buggy was very strong in practice so he’s not worried about the second half of the competition. “I’m looking forward to today and tomorrow, but trying to take one race at a time.” The young Associated racer didn’t have much of a game plan when he started the weekend, but simply focused on the basics. “I just want to do my best, but you can’t crash in these races. And if you do make a mistake, you can’t give up - just put your head down and stay with it.”
“It was really good,” said Jared Tebo, who is much happier with the layout this year than in 2014. “I think the layout is really good. You can’t straight up pass people, but the groove is really narrow so if someone makes a mistake you can get by. I think it’s the best track since 2011.” The Kyosho driver said that he’s very happy with his 2WD buggy and will do his best in the last two rounds despite starting tenth in round five and third in the final race, which has both Ryans in his heat. “My game plan is just not to make any mistakes on my own,” said the World Champ.
“That was a pretty good start, with threes across the board,” said former 2WD Open champ Carson Wernimont. “It was nice and consistent, especially since 2WD is the weaker part of this race for me,” said the nitro racer, who just wants to keep up the pace in the last two rounds before the start of 4WD.
Former champion Dustin Evans was optimistic about the start to his quest for a second title. “It was decent. I screwed myself on the first one. Rounds two and three went really good. In round four I got up a little bit and got screwed. Standard Reedy Race stuff - not a bad day, though.”
Ty Tessmann, two-time defending national champion in 4WD, is still running a mash-up 2WD buggy prototype as HB prepares their new entry for the class and is making small changes to the car each run. “It’s getting better and better,” said the Canadian, who said the start to his day wasn’t bad. “I kind of screwed up on the first run, but it got better after that.” Starting 5th and 8th in the final two rounds, Tessmann plans on trying to make the best of the opportunities by driving smart and being patient.
Former champion Jörn Neumann is the only non-American in the top ten after day one, running a Yokomo YZ-2 for the first time ever - as he got the kit a few days before the event, replaced the gear diff with a ball differential, and made some shock oil and spring changes. “It was loose at the beginning, but it’s pretty good now.” The German hasn’t raced on dirt since the Euros last August, but was happy with the progress.
Here are the points standings after Day One of 2WD:
Click the image to enlarge
Here are the plays of each 2WD Invitiational race from last night's fourth round.
1/24/2015
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