First battle #1 qualifier Robbie Nishida vs. Casper Canul. Nishida proves why he earned the top qualifying position and moves on to the Top 16.
Battle 2 pits Ken Gushi vs. Tyler McQuarrie. Gushi sticks to McQuarrie’s bumper in 2nd run, but overshoots the last clipping point. Judges deliberate and decide on a One More Time.
OMT battle with Gushi and McQuarrie. 1st run Gushi leads and both lay an awesome line. Great run by both drivers. 2nd run Ken Gushi spins while applying pressure on McQuarrie. McQuarrie moves on.
Battle 3 Stephan Verdier vs. Ross Petty. Verdier lays down a great run and Petty does his best to follow. Petty leads Verdier. Verdier spins on initial entry and Petty continues to Top 16.
Battle 4 Michael Essa vs. Yasu Kondo. Essa lays down a good run in his RX-7. 2nd run Essa runs a shallow line, but sticks to Kondo’s bumper. Judges determine a One More Time.
Run 1 in the OMT. Essa leads with a huge gap on Kondo and runs way past Kondo. Kondo leads Essa in run 2 and Essa gives a close chase. Kondo spins. Essa moves on to Top 16.
Battle 5 Haraguchi vs. Maeng. Haruguchi with an aggressive entry and eventually spins, while Maeng continues to finish the course. Maeng with the advantage. Run 2 Maeng leads Haruguchi and Haruguchi sticks to the door of Maeng. Haruguchi goes shallow. Maeng advances to Top 16.
Battle 6 Eric O’Sullivan vs. Tanner Foust. Battle of the Rockstars. Awesome first run with Foust sticking to O’Sullivan’s bumper. 2nd run Foust leads and gets a small gap on O’Sullivan. Great run by both. Foust moves on.
Battle 7 Dai Yoshihara vs. Kazu Hayashida. Yoshihara goes hot on entry and crashes into tire wall. Hayashida finishes run.
Run 2 Yoshihara’s car is ok and he is ready to go. Good run by both. Hayashida moves on.
Battle 8 Mohan vs Mordaunt. Mordaunt sticks close to Mohan. Run 2 Mohan chases Mordaunt, Mohan gives a slight adjustment towards mid run. Judges can’t decide. OMT called.
Run 1 of the OMT. Mohan creates a big gap on Mordaunt through the course. Mordaunt catches up slightly at the end of the run. Run 2 amazing entry by Mordaunt and Mohan. Mohan loses his line. Judges deliberate and decide on a 2nd OMT as their is no decisive winner.
OMT2 Run 1 Mohan leads and gives a great entry, but Mordaunt gives a good chase. Mordaunt with a small hiccup mid run. 2nd run. Good run by both, but Mohan ran a shallow line. Mordaunt moves on.
Battle 9 Matt Powers vs K. Ueo. Ueo with a good run, but Powers gives a close chase. Powers with a correction. Run 2 Matt Powers with a good enty, but Ueo sticks to his door and shows the rookie his driving skill. The judges decide on a OMT.
OMT run 1 . Ueo creates a gap on Matt Powers. Powers makes a correction mid run. Run 2 of OMT Powers with a good initiation. Ueo sticks to his door by inches. Ueo moves on.
Battle 10 Ryan Tuerck vs. Taka Aono. Tuerck creates a large gap that can not be closed by the smaller AE86 Corolla of Aono. Run 2 Aono leads Tuerck sticks to the rear bumper, Aono with great angle and Tuerck stays on him. Tuerck moves on to the Top 16.
Battle 11. Takatori has a bye run and will advance as Carl Rydquist crashed last night during practice after Qualifying and failed to make it to the competition.
Battle 12. Forsberg vs. Sherman. Sherman with a correction. Forsberg with the advantage. Run 2 Sherman leads goes really wide, straightens out and Forsberg barely misses him. They both finish the run safely. Forsberg advances.
Battle 13. Justin Pawlak vs. Tony Brakiohiapa. Justin leads and gives a good run, while Tony B stays close. Run 2 great run, but Tony B spins on last clipping point and gives JTP the win.
Battle 14. Kenji Yamanaka vs. Vaughn Gittin. Yamanaka leads and Gittin sticks to Yamanaka realy close. Great run by both. Run 2 Gittin leads and Yamanaka returns the favor by sticking to his door. Gittin moves on.
Battle 15. Sam Hubinette vs. Alex Pffeifer. Sam leads and has great speed on his entry and creates a good gap on the entire course over the Corvette. Run 2 Sam chases and mimics Alex throughout the course. Sam moves on.
Battle 16. Tommy Suell vs. Ryuji Miki. Suell leads and both give a good run. Run 2 Ryuji Miki leads and creates a large gap on the Corolla. No clear winner…OMT.
OMT run 1 Suell leads Miki and Miki sticks to bumper of Suell. Run 2 of OMT huge lead by Miki. Suell goes wide, but Miki gives a correction. Judges want a clear winner again and it goes OMT.
OMT 2 run 1 Suell leads and Miki gives super close chase. Great initiation by Miki and scrubs the back wall with his bumper. Run 2 Miki creates a very large gap leading Suell. Miki advances.
halftime…check back around 9:30 (PST) for more LIVE updates.
