- Infinity IF14 - Akio Sobue - AOC - GRC - 08-10.09.2017

Chassis - Infinity IF14
ESC : LRP
Motor : LRP
Battery : LRP
Radio/Servo - Sanwa
Body : Protoform
Tire : Hand Out (Sweep)
Main Sponsor : Infinity, LRP, Sanwa, Axon, SMJ, T-Works, Arrowmax, Protoform, Square, MR33, MPE, Nobu Paint


AOC ROUND 4

SEPTEMBER 8-10 GRC INTERNATIONAL RC CAR TRACK, KOREA

Our EP team made the trip to Korea for the first time, attending the fourth round of Scotty Ernst’s Asian Onroad Series. Held at the beautiful new GRC International RC Car Track, the event would be Akio’s third AOC outing this season with Marc joining him for his first race in the series with the IF14.

Quickly getting their cars dialled in to the track’s brand new asphalt in practice, when qualifying got underway it would be a perfect start. Akio laid down the marker taking Q1 ahead of Marc with another of the international visitors Viktor Wilck completing the Top 3. In the second of the four qualifiers, Akio would post the second fastest time with Marc again just behind him. Marc would come good in Q3 to TQ with Akio third quickest behind Wilck. With the overall TQ up for grabs in the final qualifier, a short sleep between rounds seemed to do the trick for Akio as he went fastest again to secure his third AOC TQ of the season. A bad tyre decision by Marc would leave him 4th quickest but his earlier results meant it would be an IF14 1-2 on the grid for the finals.

With the arrival of Sunday morning came the first of the triple A-Mains. Akio would lead from start to finish. Also setting the fastest lap, he would however be kept in check by Marc with them crossing the finish-line separated by just 0.228 of a second. On to A2 and Akio would have the edge opening up a comfortable gap to secure the win and another overall AOC victory to add to his previous victories in China and Hong Kong. While it was job done for Akio, he would still race A3 and it turned out to be the most exciting of the 3-encounters. With Marc much closer this time round, it still looked like Akio was on for the perfect weekend after he saw off an early challenge from Marc. As he came to finish his second last lap however, with Marc close behind, he would get out of shape. Marc did not need a second invitation to go to the front. This set up a final lap showdown but in the same corner he had lost it a lap early, Akio went for a pass but hit the back of Marc, spinning him. Akio waited for him to retake the lead before a final dash to the line but Marc held it to win by 4/10ths. With Marc claiming second overall it was to be a successful trip to Korea and another AOC 1-2 for the IF14.

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