Day 3 of the 2009 Reedy Touring Car Race of Champions consisted of 3 rounds qualifying for the RCGT and 13.5 classes. The Mod class battled it out for 4 rounds of qualifying. The best of 2 qual points format pitted drivers vs each other based on their best round finish. 0 points were awarded for a TQ of a particular round, 1 for 2nd…and so on.
The best 21 drivers in the Mod Open class based on qual points would transfer to the invitational class on Sunday. Here they will race 4 heads up style races to determine the overall RROC invite champ. The remaining drivers will fight it out in a triple A main and double B main format.
In addition, there will be 1 more round of qualifying and tripple A mains on Sunday for 13.5 and RCGT.
Here are some of the happenings and results from Saturday.
Ronald Volker (pictured above) took the overall Mod class TQ with 0 points. Not bad for a new Yokomo ride. Ronald TQed rounds 3 and 4 with a 19 lap in 5:09 and 5:07. These were not the fastest runs of the day…..but they were the most consistant amongst the elite drivers.
The day started out with Ralph Burch going 19 laps in 5:05. Just when you thought he was a lock for invite, he blew out of rounds 2 and 3 completely. This left an invite spot in jeopardy going into round 4. Burch was able to pull out a bad….but good enough run to sneak into the invite class.
Martin Crisp (above) had a good day. Martin wound up 14th overall after mod qualifying.
Tyler Vik had a helluva day…qualifying 11th overall. With that being said, he qualified last in fashion. Since when is it cool to have a map of Oakland, CA on your cap? Tyler also loves to eat all sorts of wacko kids foods in Costco portions. Check the family sized goldfish and white grape juice. Mom would be proud……
Hupo Hoenigl poses with his Tamiya 416 ride
Retired R/C legend Matt Francis (right) showed up to watch and hang out.
Jason Moberley slid into the Mod invite by a hair. There was a tie for 21st place. The tie breaker was based on best 2 combined runs.
I was not in the mood for pics this morning.
Team Tekin team manager Randy Pike was on had to service speed controls. Be on the lookout for our exclusive video….coming soon to the most awesome r/c site ever….this one of course.
As for the invite class, the field is set. These names will be randomly slected and stacked into heats. The qualifying order does not count. The 4 race rounds will be ran on Sunday to determine the 2009 champ.
In the RCGT Class , T.O.P.’s EJ Evans is the TQ going into round 4 of qualifying. Here are the results.
EJ has been on fire…he’s also the TQ in 13.5 after 2 rounds.
EJ’s car pictured above.
EJ’s sporting the Red T.O.P. shirt…as usual….
T.O.P. USA owner / mechanic Mike O’Donnell has been busy wrenching for Ej and other T.O.P. drivers.
Here are the top 10 in 13.5 going into the 4th round of qualifying.
Korey Karbke had a awesome run in round 3. Korey’s run put his 5 minute best just a couple of seconds with 18 laps in 5:08. This was his 2nd time with the same time. Still, 18 laps in 5:06 remains the top 5 minute time by EJ Evans. This will prove hard to beat going into round 4.
Well thats all for Saturday. Be sure to check back on Sunday night or Monday for my full report of the 4th round of qualifying (GT and 13.5), Open Mod mains, and Invite races. It should be a awesome day.
