USWNC: Last quals, last chance....

0 Dec. 5, 2015, 11:55 a.m.

By Thomas Tran
LiveRC.com

2015 World Nitro Cup - Saturday Round 5 Qualifying

With a bit of extra time Saturday morning, the decision was made to make up 1 of the qualifying rounds that was lost do to the heavy rain showers that fell late Thursday afternoon and throughout the night. To the delight of many racers, the schedule has now been shifted to run a final round of quals on Saturday with lower mains and semis to come.

In addition to the updated schedule, the track was also sprayed last night in hopes to bring the traction back to what it’s normally experienced here at Full Throttle Raceway. The increased grip will ultimately make for better racing and for those who have the skills to pay the bills, should benefit the most from the extra grip.

Round 5 proved to be a tough qualifying round for all that was in 200mm Open as it became a race of attrition. For the 1st time, Shepherd’s Armin Weihart made a fatal error on the track that resulted in a broken car and having to settle for an early retirement. Weihart came off the stand with a positive attitude and a a smile on his face saying, “the car is so fast!” Taking the TQ was Eric Diaz, but the time was not enough to improve him on the grid.

GT8 has been all about Desoto Racing’s Joaquin Desoto and in rd 5, he proved he was once again the man to beat. With the added traction, Desoto was able to improve his overall time in rd 5 pushing the envelope even further and the only driver to throw down a 13 lap run. Zuriel Aular would finish a strong 2nd and Samuel Zayas made his way once again on the podium with a top 3 time.

Laying down another TQ run, Desoto came out swinging once again in 1/8th Masters. Once Desoto cleared traffic, he was able to set the fastest time in rd 5 with a 16 lap 4:14.08 and retain his overall TQ in the class. Putting in his best run so far, it was Mugen’s Steve Rossi with the 2nd fastest time with a 15 lap 4:00.23. Paul Bucatini would go on to score the 3rd fastest time with a 15 lap 4:02.3 in round 5.

1/10th nitro sedan was a close battle between 3 of the best drivers in the class, but ultimately it was Thilo Toedtmann putting in the fastest qualifying run of the weekend and taking the overall TQ with a 15 lap 4:05.16. Trying to defend his overall TQ, Serpent/Picco’s Scotty Gray would put in a valiant effort, but would have to settle for 2nd with a 15 lap 4:08.23. Closing out the top 3 fastest time was Capricon/Novarossi’s DJ Apolaro who was neck and neck with Gray’s time, a 15 lap 4:08.25! Tomorrow’s triple A-mains will be an exciting showdown between these 3 elites.

Proving to the world why he is a former world champion and still has the speed to compete at the highest level, WRC/Novarossi’s Daniele Ielasi TQ’s the final round of 1/8th Open class by being the sole driver on a 17 lap pace, but unfortunately would run out of fuel before he could cross the line. With an brutal crashing coming through traffic, Ielasi would suffer a damaged muffler resulting in his system “running rich and therefore I ran out of gas.” Raphael Angulo would just fall short of 17 laps and would cross the line with a 16 lap 4:03.21 while Michael Palazzola would finish 3rd fastest with a 16 lap 4:03.98.