Firmly in the mix since the opening laps of free practice, Tobias Daarbak capitalised on Q1 to clock the fastest time ahead of Julien Meunier, before backing it up with the second-best performance in Q2, narrowly trailing Lukas Andersson. A strong and composed start that offers reassurance for the Danish driver as he embarks on his second full campaign in the fiercely contested Supercar Lites category.

“It’s a fantastic way to kick off the season, taking the win in Q1,” Daarbak noted, now sitting atop the intermediate standings heading into Q3.

One thing is certain: Daarbak quickly found his rhythm on a track that’s as technical as it is unpredictable.

“I really like this circuit. It’s very different from the tracks we’re used to. What makes it unique is the dirt, which changes dramatically from lap to lap. That makes it tough to repeat the same lines exactly. But that’s what makes it fun—it’s a real challenge, and that’s what I enjoy.”

While keeping his expectations grounded, the Dane is fully aware of the pitfalls—starting with the way the dirt sections degrade with each successive run.

“I saw there were quite a few punctures in Q1 for the Open 4WD class. But that’s part of the game. The conditions are the same for everyone. You just have to stay alert, avoid trouble, and try to protect the tires. If we manage that, it should be a promising day. Nothing’s guaranteed, of course. The level of competition this year is very high. Julien Meunier and Lukas Andersson, for example, are both fierce competitors. We know it’s going to be a hard-fought season.”

In a field this tight, every detail matters—and Daarbak isn’t taking anything for granted.

“We’ve watched some onboard footage to pinpoint areas where we can improve. I think we still have a bit of margin to play with. There’s definitely time to gain in a few sections. We hope to keep the momentum going. We’re making a few tweaks to the car’s setup and we’ll see how it responds on track.”