USWNC: Todtmann and Vanni fastest in third round amid poor track conditions

0 Dec. 4, 2015, 4:18 p.m.

By Thomas Tran
LiveRC.com

2015 World Nitro Cup - Friday Round 3 Quals

With the track being washed of its accumulated grip from last night’s rainfall, the grip is low and ‘green’ and it clearly shows in today’s qualifying rounds as the pace is much slower. However, the track is the same for everyone and the cream will always rise to the top.

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In the third round of qualifying in the 200mm Open class, it was once again Shepherd’s Armin Weihart finding the speed to top the leaderboard on the green track and earning TQ over Steve McNichols and Eric Diaz.

In the growing GT8 Port Spec class, it was once again Joaquin Desoto setting a blistering pace in round 3 over his competitors with a 12 lap 4:04.61 making it back to back TQ’s. Zuriel Aular finished the round with the 2nd fastest time in a close battle on the clock with David Larry.

1/8th Masters saw Joaquin Desoto once again showing his raw speed and setting the fastest time in round 3 and just barely. Desoto put in a solid final lap to eclipse current class TQ, George Martinez, by just .1 second. Desoto ran a stellar 15 lap 4:00.27 and Martinez a 15 lap 4:00.32. Martinez will still hold the class TQ while Dan Luis rounded out the top 3 for round 3.

The slippery track played a part in 1/10th Nitro Sedan as the 2nd place qualifier, Capricon/Novarossi’s DJ Apolaro spun in warm ups hitting the barrier causing him to retire and forfeit his run. Current TQ, Serpent/Picco’s Scotty Gray, suffered a mechanical as his motor turned rich in the middle of his race causing him to pit and retune his motor. Taking advantage of the situation, Thilo Toedtmann set the fastest run with a 15 lap 4:13.6. Walter Diaz and Steve McNicohols finished 2nd and 3rd for the round.

Having a round he wish he could forget, current class TQ Apolaro suffered a mechanical failure midway during his run in the 1/8th Open class allowing his competitors to take advantage of his misfortune. Jumping to the number 1 spot was Marco Vanni, setting the fastest run of the round with a 16 lap 4:03.59 and round 1 TQ, former WC Daniele Ielasi finished 2nd and Lazaro Alonzo finished 3rd.