Jörn Neumann doubles at German 4WD nationals

The German 4WD Buggy and 4WD Short Course nationals was held last weekend at the track of the MAC Inzell, the venue of the annual IRoC race. Only 47 drivers show up at the technical clay track that features an U.S. inspired layout. The race director together with the race committee decided to run the race as a one day event because of the bad weather forecast. After the practice runs it was clear that four drivers would battle for the 2013 Buggy crown. Team Durango’s Jörn Neumann was leading the pack only days after confirming a deal with new electronic supplier Team Orion, in front of Team Associated’s Stefan Pfeifhofer and Patrick Hofer and with Oli Scholz (Team C) close behind. In 4WD SC is was again Jörn who had the best chances as his only real contender was Markus Metsch in second place.

The qualifiers showed that nobody really was in the position to challenge Jörn Neumann as he was able to TQ four heats in 4WD Buggy while Patrick Hofer took the second place. Oli Scholz in third and Stefan Pfeifhofer fourth were tie on points. In the SC class it was again Jörn who took each of the four qualifiers, followed by Markus Metsch and Stefan Knott in 3rd.

4WD Buggy top 10
1. Jörn Neumann – Team Durango/Orion/Orion/Thunderpower
2. Patrick Hofer – Team Associated/Hobbywing/Reedy/Reedy
3. Oliver Scholz – Team C/Orion/Orion/Orion
4. Stefan Pfeifhofer – Team Associated/Vampire Racing/Reedy/Reedy
5. Markus Metsch – Team Durango/Hacker/Hacker/Hacker
6. Andreas Knott – Team Associated/Nosram/Reedy/Reedy
7. Stefan Knott – Team Associated/Nosram/Reedy/Reedy
8. Georg Kötzinger – Team Associated/LRP/LRP/LRP
9. Sebastian Steger – Team Associated/Nosram/Reedy/Reedy
10.Patrick Müller – Team Associated/Nosram/Reedy/Reedy

4WD Short Course top 10
1. Jörn Neumann – Team Durango/Orion/Orion/Thunderpower
2. Markus Metsch – Mugen/Hacker/Hacker/Hacker
3. Stefan Knott – Team Associated/Nosram/Reedy/Reedy
4. Andreas Knott – Team Associated/Nosram/Reedy/Reedy
5. Marcus Lübke – Team C/LRP/LRP/LRP
6. Tim Kraus – Team Associated
7. Jürgen Knott – Team Associated/Nosram/Reedy/Reedy
8. Falk Worch – Team Associated
9. Stefan Mößner – Team Associated
10.Lutz Brahm – Team Associated

After a short break the floodlights started to shine for the finals, but during the first round of the finals heavy rain started to fall to the race director had to bring everything to a halt to try and continue on Sunday morning. But come Sunday the track was soaked with water with no chance to prepare it for the finals at all, meaning the 2013 nationals title was decided by the qualifying results handing Jörn Neumann the national title in both 4WD classes. Youth champion 4WD Buggy 2013 is Schumacher’s Micha Widmaier who took 11th overall at an age of 11. The junior champion title goes to Team C´s Oli Scholz and 40+ champion is Team Associated’s Robert Hart. In 4WD SC it is Team Associated’s Tim Kraus who took the youth champion honours and Team C’s Marcus Lübke won the 40+ crown.

Thanks to Patrick Ehmer for sending the report.