IFMAR 1/8th Off-Road Worlds Update - Quali Day 1

Direct from the massive Worlds track in Pattaya, Thailand, we've got news updates on the HB team at the 2010 IFMAR 1/8th Off-Road Worlds! Defending World Champion Atsushi Hara is there, of course, running the HB D8 Hara Edition buggy, alongside Canadian Ty Tessman and American Jesse Robbers. Having made the switch to HB tyres for this Worlds, Hara is using his practice time before the event to help his HB teammates lay down their fastest laps.

Day 1 of Qualifying is actually Day *3* of the event, with the first two days consisting entirely of Free Practice (Monday & Tuesday). This practice time was used to seed the qualifying timesheets, so it was vital to do well even though it was 'just' free practice! This isn't any other race, folks! As expected Hara was one of the top drivers, but a new points system for determining the qualifying order (based on 3 fastest laps in a row) placed him 12th overall going into Qualifying. Teammate Ty Tessman was seeded 6th overall to start the first 2 rounds of Qualifying. Qualifying There are 6 total rounds of qualifying, with 2 rounds per day. The first two rounds are complete now! The first round of qualifing didn't go exactly to plan, with a wrong compound choice for Hara meaning he finished the first round in 17th position. Ty finished in 13th overall. The HB team (all 3 of them!) were looking to do better in the second heat! complete Qualifying Round 1 results here In Round 2, Hara did much better, finishing 2nd in the round and going up to 5th place overall, being just one of two drivers to make 14 laps in the ten minute qualifying run. Ty moved up as well, getting into 8th position overall. Jesse was unlucky with engine cuts, but he was at least able to move up the overall timing sheets. Cumulative Qualifying results after Round 2 here With the goal of all the top drivers from America, Europe and the rest of the world just aiming to stay in the top 16 to make the cut-off for the Semi-Finals, there are still 3 more days of intense qualifying action to go before the all-important Finals! Coverage will continue tomorrow, check back for more! Many thanks to Philip at NeoBuggy.net for the pictures from this momentous event! .