IFMAR 1/10th Off Road World Championships 2007 - oople.com
CLICK THE LOGO ABOVE TO GO BACK TO THE 2007 Worlds Report Page.

 

The penultimate day of the 2007 World Championships consists of a timed practice round, followed by four of the five qualifiers - the last qualifier being on finals day. The sun was out again from early in the morning, giving the drivers a nice dry track to start on.

The track was starting to break up by the end of practice the previous day. Some of the worst 'holes' were coming onto the main straight - cars were getting thrown around a little. The track staff got to work and by the following morning the track looked a lot smoother and better.

The temperatures were 34.7c / 94.5f in the shade by 11:30 am - and rising
 
The track at the end of 4WD practice day
...and the following morning
One of the Academy team had this pack of cells blow whilst walking to morning practice! The offending cell blew through the carbon battery strap and bent the centre drive shaft like a banana. It happened again to one of the Yokomo drivers a little later on.

INTERVIEW: Josh Pain Age: 24
2wd Associated B4 4WD J Concepts BJ4
Servo Futaba 9451 Servo Futaba 9550
ESC LRP Comp 07 ESC LRP TC Spec
Motor LRP 6.5 Motor Speed Passion
Cells Fantom IB4200 Cells Fantom IB4200
Sponsors: Factory J Concepts Driver.

We chose to interview Josh because he has mad hair, and also because he is from Australia so we felt it was only right to interview one of team Aus.

Hi Josh, are you enjoying the World Championships here in Japan?
Yeah it's awesome, really good, really really good.

Is the track like anything you are used to racing on back home in Aus?
The track is exactly the same as Australian tracks when it's dry, it's loose and slick. I haven't raced on wet clay before, in Australia if the track is wet then we don't race.

What do you like the most about the track, and what do you least like?
I like the elevation changes, how it's on a hill, makes it really interesting rather than racing on a flat piece of dirt. The least? Not sure at the moment, probably the rain, the track's really good but the rain sucks. It could probably have been held on an indoor track.

I noticed that you beat Ryan Maifield in round 2 of 2wd qualifying, do you think that you should have been in the A final as well?
Nah, I don't think I should have been in the A. I was happy because I won my final and it was a really good run for me, but I was still 6 seconds behind their times. If I'd been in the A I would have just been in the way of the fast drivers.

What is your favourite clothing brand and shop?
I don't really have a favourite brand, it's not an issue, I just buy what looks good. Roger David is my favourite shop, they sell all sorts of clothes in there (old mens clothes).

What do you think is the ideal length for mens shorts?
Really short! No, just kidding. Just below the knee I think. Shorts don't fit me though because my legs are about 2000meters long.

Do you have any other hobbies?
Yeah, partying! I like to surf as well, and drive around in my real car, it's a Toyota Echo but I drive it like an F1 car. My dream car would probably be a Ferrari Testerosa.

Where is your favourite place in Aus?
It'd probably have to be the gold coast, you can go anywhere you want and do anything you like there.

If you could be any superhero who would you be?
Wonderwoman, because she's hot. No really, I'd probably be the incredible Hulk, just because he's a phsyco.

Do you have any questions for Masami?
Yes, what's the secret to his sucess and how has he done it for so long?

Who do you think is the most inspirational r/c driver?
Matt Francis for me, just because of the way he presented himself when he was racing and he set a good example to me.

Which Aussie driver do you most hope to beat?
Matt Griffin, just because he's won everything. I have beaten him before but I want to beat him here.

What do you think of your dual chassis BJ4?
Yeah it's really good, the maintenance is minimal so you can concentrate on driving.

Does size matter? If this track was bigger would it be as good to drive?
I think larger tracks can be more difficult, it's more difficult to see your car on the bigger tracks.

What is your favourite:

Movie: Zoolander.

Colour: Blue.

Meat to BBQ? Kangaroo.

Burger King or Hungry Jacks? Hungry Jacks - Double bacon deluxe burger.

West coast or east coast? East coast, but the West coast is nice, it's just unpopular.

Surfing or Bodyboarding? Surfing!

Diet or full fat coke? Fat ass!

Kylie or Danni? Kylie for sure.

Cheese?
Swiss.

Do you prefer Koala bears or Wallabies?
Kangawallafox - it's a half breed. They're a bit dangerous though.

Do you get scared on high bridges?
I'd like to say no, but yeah I do, they make me nervous, I think that's from my mums side, she's scared of heights.

 

'Team Azarashi are here and showing off their innovative products alongside SpazStix paints Japan and Takashima Designs (airbrushing).

Along with the existing Gomurph body which is being used by Hupo Honigl and Maezumi Satoshi - Team Azarashi also showed off their latest bodyshell, the Tateego, which will be released soon.

The new body fits the popular 4WD cars - BJ4 / B44 / HB D4 / 501X / Yokomo BX - and others. It features large scoops and a really low front window.

Another innovative product is the new flexible top decks for the Tamiya 501X. Both front and rear top decks are in 2 pieces and allow the car to flex more for added traction in slippery conditions.
Jimmy with Mr.Azarashi!
The new Tateego body painted up
NEW Tamiya 501X split top decks
Some of the new Azarashi products
   


Jared Tebo took the first round of qualifying with his new Associated B44, three seconds ahead of Ryan Maifield also with the B44. Ryan Cavalieri made it a 1/2/3 for the new B44.

Billy Easton took his Serpent S500 prototype to fourth in the round - the car is still basically the Durango but is using prototype S500 suspension arms.

Neil Cragg switched over to Brushed motor technology with the Nosram ESC and Reedy motor after the end of practice the previous day - During the first qualifier his slipper was inconsistent, sometimes slipping and sometimes not putting him down to 12th in round.

Position Name Country Lap / Time
1 Jared Tebo USA 12/5:05.345
2 Ryan Maifield USA 12/5:08.159
3 Ryan Cavalieri USA 12/5:09.056
4 Billy Easton USA 12/5:09.312
5 Masami Hirosaka Japan 12/5:10.674
6 Atsushi Hara Japan 12/5:10.868
7 Shnnosuke Adachi Japan 12/5:13.350
8 Billy Fischer USA 12/5:13.883
9 Rick Hohwart USA 12/5:15.398
10 Mark Pavidis USA 12/5:15.484

Jared Tebo was on fire and took the second round of qualifying by over three seconds from Ryan Cavalieri and Atsushi Hara. Hayato was up to 4th. The rain came down during the second round of qualifying - making the track slower for some people and faster for others. The rain did at least drop the temperature by a few degrees.

Position Name Country Lap / Time
1 Jared Tebo USA 12/5:06.240
2 Ryan Cavalieri USA 12/5:09.376
3 Atsushi Hara Japan 12/5:12.412
4 Hayato Matsuzaki Japan 12/5:12.661
5 Naoto Matsukua Japan 12/5:15.440
6 Steven Hartson USA 12/5:15.556
7 Rick Hohwart USA 12/5:16.272
8 Hupo Honigl Austria 12/5:16.538
9 Billy Fischer USA 12/5:16.587
10 Tatsuya Sanpei Japan 12/5:16.902

 

oops!

Jared Tebo could have taken TQ for the meeting with two wins already and on a good time for the third - but unfortunately for him the motor moved slightly and stripped the spur gear. He was getting slower and slower - eventually Hara got past and put in a 6th in round. Masami Hirosaka took the win in round three, three seconds ahead of Mailfield with defending World Champion Cavalieri coming in third with the B44.

Position Name Country Lap / Time
1 Masami Hirosaka Japan 12/5:08.863
2 Ryan Maifield USA 12/5:11.802
3 Ryan Cavalieri USA 12/5:12.376
4 Mike Truhe USA 12/5:13.227
5 Naoto Matsukua Japan 12/5:13.722
6 Atsushi Hara Japan 12/5:14.405
7 Shnnosuke Adachi Japan 12/5:15.218
8 Joern Neumann Germany 12/5:15.555
9 Neil Cragg GB 12/5:15.676
10 Hayato Matsuzaki Japan 12/5:16.184

Round four and Jared Tebo's B44 didn't let him down - Jared taking the win and TQ for the 4WD Worlds, from Maifield in second place, and a storming run from Steven Hartson - the youngest USA driver at the World Championships - placing him third in round.

Mark Pavidis put in his fastest run with the new Kyosho prototype to get 7th

Position Name Country Lap / Time
1 Jared Tebo USA 12/5:07.365
2 Ryan Maifield USA 12/5:08.006in second
3 Steven Hartson USA 12/5:08.894
4 Ryan Cavalieri USA 12/5:10.097
5 Atsushi Hara Japan 12/5:11.453
6 Billy Easton USA 12/5:11.635
7 Mark Pavidis USA 12/5:13.031
8 Rick Hohwart USA 12/5:14.006
9 Hupo Honigl Austria 12/5:14.933
10 Masatsugu Ido Japan 12/5:15.064

The overall qualifying after four qualifiers with only two counting at the moment, is as follows:

Position Name Country Total Rd 1 Rd2 Rd3 Rd4
1 Jared Tebo USA 310 155 155 122 155
2 Ryan Maifield USA 306 153 135 153 153
3 Ryan Cavalieri USA 305 152 153 152 151
4 Masami Hirosaka Japan 305 150 147 155 136
5 Atsushi Hara Japan 302 149 152 149 150
6 Steven Hartson USA 301 60 149 121 152
7 Billy Easton USA 300 151 138 140 149
8 Naoto Matsukura Japan 300 139 150 150 78
9 Shnnosuke Adachi Japan 296 148 123 148 134
10 Hayato Matsuzaki Japan 296 142 151 145 144

The Associated B44 took the top three positions overnight, Jared Tebo taking the TQ spot. The order could change since only two rounds are counting - after the fifth and final qualifier has been run then it'll be three from five.

Tebo only had one hiccup, in round three when the motor moved - other than that it's been a dominant performance from the young American.

Jared Tebo with the new Associated B44
Jared working on the B44

The final day of the World Championships is tomorrow and starts with a short practice round, followed by the last qualifier and then finals.

PREVIOUS PAGE
 
NEXT PAGE
4WD Practice
 
4WD Finals

[Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image]
[Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image]
[Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image]
[Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image]
[Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image]
[Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image]
[Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image]
[Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image]
[Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image]
[Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image]
[Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image]


All photos are mine, all mine, and not to be used in commercial purposes without prior permission. (c) Jimmy Storey. rc(at)oople(dot)com.