Phend finally hits the top in Q4 Down Under
Having started out qualifying day at the IFMAR 1:10 4WD Offroad World Championships in Sydney with a P3, but then having two rough rounds, Dakotah Phend finally hit the top in Q4 heading a 1-2 for Xray as David Ronnefalk also ended the day with his best run. With Team Associated’s Marcus Kaerup getting his second TQ run of the day in the previous round, Q4 would see the Dane DNF, his car coming to a halt 3-laps in. While Kaerup didn’t have an explanation for the car stopping, Salton Dong from his electronics sponsor Hobbywing told us afterwards that their data from car led them to believe it was a radio issue as a result of lost signal. Overall it was a tough round for Associated after they topped the opening three qualifier. Defending World Champion Davide Ongaro TQ’d Q2, but the Italian wouldn’t have a clean run and ended up 9th. Kouki Kato their fastest driver in P7. Behind Xray it would be Schumacher would were the next best in a repeat of Q3 when the finally got themselves somewhat into the mix. Orlowski, who went to the top of the timing screens for most of the run, would complete the Top 3 ahead of Broc Champlin and Daniel Kobbevik. Putting in the most consistent performance of the day Burak Kilic capped of a strong day with P6, his Mugen Seiki prototype never outside the Top 6 today having opening with a P2 run in Q1.
