Bayer TQs opening 4WD qualifier

Martin Bayer has TQ’d the opening round of 4WD qualifying at EOS Austria, the Xray Offroad team manager leading a 1-2 for the Slovakian manufacturer despite running in the second fastest heat.  12th fastest in seeding practice, the former EOS race winner would top the times for the first of the four qualifiers by over a second from Martin Wollanka.  With top seed Bruno Coelho looking like it was business as usual for the Champion in the top heat, starting to come under pressure from 2WD Champion Michal Orlowski a mistake from the 2WD winner would see him break a front arm. Orlowski now held the lead but Lee Martin was now also in the mix along with Wollanka. In the end Wollanka would take the top heat on the last lap by 8/100ths from Orlowski with Martin 3/10ths off but to all their surprise Bayer’s time would earn the Czech driver the TQ.  With Neil Cragg and Marc Rheinard completing the Top 6, Ryan Maifield’s troubled start to 4WD continued as the American suffered a DNF after his steering broke after just one lap.

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