The track started off very wet and slippery, so the practice sessions were not marshaled (better not crash!)

The drivers, however, were out in force, and as the track started to dry they all got some good practice.

Hupo Honigl - 2007 European 4wd Champion!

The Moguls..

Ryan Cavalieri drives his B44

Truhe's XXX4

Jason Ruona

The track was in horrible shape by the end of the day, but they had it ready for the next morning.

Some prototype technology was shown during the first round of qualifying – Billy Easton brought his Serpent S500 prototype (a Durango with the new S500 suspension arms) and Mark Pavidis brought his Kyosho prototype. Neil Cragg switched to the Nosram ESC and Reedy brushed motor, but hadn’t gotten all the kinks worked out and only placed 12th. At the end, the qualifier went to Jared Tebo with his Associated B44, well ahead of Ryan Maifield and Ryan Cavalieri, both also driving B44s.

Round one qualifying results:

Jared Tebo continued to race well, taking the second qualifier, again by over 3 seconds. Rain started during the race, which helped some and hurt others. Ryan Cavalieri moved up to second, beating Atsushi Hara in third. Hayato, who won 2wd, moved up to 4th.

Hayato Matsuzaki

Round two qualifying results:

Unfortunately for Tebo, he stripped his spur gear in the third qualifier and he didn’t even make the top ten. Masami Hirosaka won the round, seconds ahead of Maifield and Cavalieri.

Uhh oh!

Round three qualifying results:

Round 4 began and Tebo was back in form, taking the win and the TQ spot. Maifield came in second, and the youngest USA driver at the Worlds, Steven Hartson, bullied his way through the pack to take third. Pavidis and his Kyosho prototype put in their fastest run and placed seventh.

Round four qualifying results:

So other than his spur gear in round three, Tebo dominated the day and secured the TQ spot at tomorrow’s race.

Tebo jumps into TQ!

The worlds are always a place to see new cars and ideas make their debut, and this one was no exception. Lee Martin, who recently won the UK National championship, showed up with an Aero One prototype with custom machined alloy parts. The Aero One has a remarkably narrow chassis.

Another narrow car making an appearance is the Atomic Carbon new 4wd car, a conversion from the JConcepts BJ4we with a chassis of molded carbon fiber laminate.

Highest placed Atomic Carbon cars at Worlds!
Driven by Dave Church of the UK

Moulded Carbon Fiber Laminate Chassis.

Atomic Carbon new 4wd

Tebo dominated yet another qualifier, with some of the fastest times yet. Hara came in second and Masami was third.

Round five qualifying results:

Tebo is TQ!

So the final qualifying results were:

In the practice race, Tebo started with a lead but slipped up on a corner. Maifield made it through the pileup but pulled the car off before too long to wait for the race.

Maifield at the practice race!

The race was an exciting one – before it even began! Joern Nuemann’s motor moved on the warm up lap and he had to sprint back to the pits to get it fixed, returning to the track with seconds to spare. Tebo made a clean break from the pole position, followed by Maifield and Cavieleri. Masami struggled in the back after getting marshaled twice in the first lap. With a small gap between them and the rest of the field, the only one Tebo had to worry about was Maifield, who was slowly catching up. Last lap of the race… and Maifield rolls his car on the second straight. Tebo rolls his car as well, so coming out of the moguls the two are still neck to neck. Tebo held Mailfield off and won the first race!

Easton and Masami tangle!

Tebo leads Maifield!

Tebo wins!

Last corner of the race; Maifield just can't catch up!

A Main Race 1 results:

The pressure really mounted as the drivers lined up for Race 2 – could Tebo continue his streak of domination and take the Worlds in two races? Tebo once again got a good start, hotly chased by Maifield and Masami. Maifield attempted to pass, but rolled and moved back to third. Masami moved closer, staying right behind Tebo for several laps and looking for his chance to pass. Unfortunately, he rolled as well and Tebo had no challenger close. Cavalieri moved his way up, passing Masami after a short battle, but there wasn’t enough time. Jared Tebo won the race and the world championships!

Tebo leads Maifield and Masami!

Maifield challenges Tebo...

...but rolls!

Masami challenges and ends up in the plants!

Tebo takes the race and the championship!

A Main Race 2:

Jared Tebo, World Champion!

X Factory would like to sincerely thank Cedric Devillers for his excellent pictures, and www.oople.com for their comprehensive pictures and coverage of the Worlds! We wouldn't have been able to do this without you!