Category: Speed Circuit

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Race Report – Speed Circuit 2017 Monza

For the first time in the Tabletop Racing Club’s history, 12 Drivers started on the grid at Monza!

Bruce McLaren held pole position ahead of this year’s crowded field.  He lead through two intensive laps.  Once again Beltoise challenged McLaren on the final lap.  This time, Beltiose achieved victory in a photo finish.  Rindt finished close behind in third place.

Two rookie drivers participated in the race.  Eric took charge of the Bonnier racing team and his drivers finished in fifth and sixth place.  Unfortunately, Joshua was not able to finish the race and his drivers were forced to retire.

Race results follow:

1st Den (J. Beltoise) 60/40/20/160/6
2nd John (B. McLaren) 80/40/40/160/5**
3rd Steve (J. Rindt) 60/40/20/160/6
4th Den (J. Gavin) 60/40/20/160/6
5th Eric H. (J. Bonnier) 40/40/40/180/5
6th Eric H. (Tresham) 40/40/60/180/4
7th Terry (J. Surtees) 80/60/40/160/4
8th Terry (G. Eaton) 80/40/40/160/4
9th Steve (M. Andretti) 60/40/20/160/6
DNF John (D. Bell) 60/60/60/200/5*
DNF Joshua (DeKlerk) 60/40/20/180/5
DNF Jashua (Hague) 60/40/40/160/5

With his win at Monza, Beltoise reached 60 points and secured the Championship.   With only two races to go, second and third places are still hotly contested.  Follow this link for the  season’s standings.

Note:  The race was held on the original 3M version of the track.  Due to the glossy vinyl service, the race photos were not usable.

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Race Report – Speed Circuit 2016 Watkins Glen

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10 drivers lined up 3 wide at the start of this year’s race a Watkins Glen.  Brian Redman held pole position in his Cooper T86B.  He attempted to hold off Mclaren, Attwood, and Hahne, but Hahne gained the upper-hand and passed the finish line in the lead on the first lap.

Hulme worked his way through the pack from 8th place and linked-up with his team-mate.  The Mclaren’s worked together using slip streaming to minimize wear use and maximize speed.  Hulme completed the second lap ahead of Hahne taking the lead.

The fierce battles for position occurring throughout the race began to take its toll on the final lap.  In an attempt to take the lead, Scarfiotti made a daring move, but his rear axle gave way and he crashed leaving one Cooper in the race.  Unser pushed his car too hard and his transmission failed in the last corner.

Hulme held the lead during final lap winning the race.  Graham Hill started in 7th position and finished in 3rd place retaining his lead in the championship.  Securing 1st and 2nd place allowed McLaren to move to the top of the constructor’s competition for the first time this season.  Race results follow:

1st (8) Den (D. Hulme) 80/40/40/160/5*
2nd (3) Den (B. McLaren) 40/40/40/160/5
3rd (7) Steve (G. Hill) 80/40/20/160/5
4th (5) Ray (H. Hahne) 80/40/40/160/5*
5th (2) Terry (Attwood) 60/40/40/160/5
6th (1) John H. (Redman) 80/40/20/180/5
7th (10) Steve (J. Clark) 60/40/20/160/6
8th (4) Ray (J. Biden) 40/40/40/160/5
DNF Terry (B. Unser) 60/40/40/160/5
CR1 (6) John H. (Scarfiotti) 40/40/20/160/6

Click here for SEASON STANDINGS.

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3M Speed Circuit vs Avalon Hill Speed Circuit

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3M Sports Game Speed Circuit

Just got hold of the 1971 3M version of Speed Circuit.  Like the Avalon Hill version, the 3M game comes with three tracks (Monza, Monaco, and Watkins Glen) and six metal cars.  Unlike Avalon Hill’s version of the game, the tracks are not printed on map boards, instead they are integrated into the plastic/vinyl box cover.   The cover is wrapped around an internal box that holds the other game components.  Monza and Monaco are on one side of the map and Watkins Glen is on the other.  The map looks fantastic.

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3M Speed Circuit’s Watkins Glen

The game also includes thin cardboard dials to track speed, cards with per-generated cars, a laminated sheet to track cars and a grease pencil.  Although the dials are a bit flimsy, the game has an over all deluxe feel.

20160917-img_3414The basic rules use pre-generated cars printed on the cards.  Players pick cards randomly.  It is a good way to get new players into the game.  The rest of the rules are similar to Avalon Hill’s version except for one key factor.

3M’s Speed Circuit does not use dice.  That’s right!  Surpass a corner’s speed limit you pay wear (no option to roll on the chance table).  Exceeding a car’s top speed or start speed is not possible.  Nothing is left to chance.  The game focuses on skill.

Which is a better game?  The 3M game’s production value is better than Avalon Hill’s.  The addition of chance in the Avalon Hill rules adds an element excitement to the game while maintaining a fine balance between luck and skill.  Highly recommend both versions of the game, they are classics.

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Race Report – Speed Circuit 2016 Monza!

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Denny Hulme Wins at Monza

Eight drivers lined up on the grid for this year’s Monza race.  Mclaren stalled at the start and was left far behind by the other racers.  Hahne, Hill, and Hulme quickly pulled away from the pack and conducted an epic three way battle.  Hulme slip-streamed Hahne to take the first lap and just barely held off Hill to secure the second.  Hahne fell back during the last lap and Hulme fought Hill tooth and nail for the lead position.    During the last lap, drivers began running out of wear and skill points.  Hill went into the last two corners with no wear.  He failed chance rolls in both corners and burned six skill points, but it was not enough.  Hulme got through the last corner first and accelerated away for the win.

Clark maneuvered his way through the throng advancing from 7th to 4th position.

Unser, still healing injuries he received at Indy, drove into the next to last corner too fast and his suspension broke; he was not able to finish the race.

On the last lap, Attwood, Biden and McLaren lined up on the front straight.  Attwood damaged his engine and Biden flew by him.  McLaren slip-streamed Biden and passed him to secure 5th place.

Race results follow:

1st (3) Den (D. Hulme) 80/40/20/160/6**
2nd (2) Steve (G. Hill) 80/40/20/160/6
3rd (1) Ray G. (H. Hahne) 80/40/40/160/5
4th (7) Steve (J. Clark) 60/40/20/160/5
5th (4) Den (B. McLaren) 40/40/20/160/6
6th (5) Ray G. (J. Biden) 40/40/40/160/5
7th (6) Terry (Attwood) 60/60/40/160/4
DNF (8) Terry (B. Unser) 60/60/40/160/4

Graham Hill maintained his position as championship points leader.  Check out the 2016 season standings here.

Note:  Denny Hulme actually won the Monza F1 race in 1968.