Race Report – Speed Circuit Kyalami 2022
Race Report – Speed Circuit Buenos Aires 2022
Thrilling Season Opener!
During the 2022 season we will be racing with the teams that participated in the 1972 formula season. Steve returns to manage the 2021 constructor’s championship team, Ferrari. Den once again leads Elf Tyrell, Terry spearheads MRD Brabham, and John steers the helm of JP Lotus. Travis moves to STP March. Yardly McLaren filled the void left by Travis by hiring Ray G.
The season opener took place in Argentina at the Buenos Aires circuit. Steve built the track board and it is the first time the club raced on the circuit. The narrow fast circuit proved to be a challenge to both drivers and vehicles.
Lotus driver Fittipaldi took pole position on the 12 driver starting grid. Elf’s Stewart, last years champion started in 10th. Ferrari drivers also started near the back of the pack. McLaren was the only team not using a strong down force setup and Hulme started in the front row next to Fittipaldi.
During the first lap Fittipaldi stayed in the lead and positioned himself coming out of the Cajon turn to pull far ahead of the pack. Stewart and Peterson began moving up while Luada moved into 3rd place.
Fittipaldi continue to beat the pack out of the corners and built a commanding lead going into lap 2. Hulme faltered as his car chewed through wear points. Ickx remained in 3rd while Lauda moved up to 2nd.
Fittipaldi dominated the second lap. The remaining positions were highly contested.
Once again Fittapaldi was first to cross the finish line to begin the last lap earning his second bonus point in the race, but his wear points were running low. Soon, Stewart and Peterson made a run against the slowing leader.
Stewart backed off, but Peterson pressed forward catching Fittipaldi and passing him in the last corner garnering victory!
Peterson was followed by Fittipaldi and Stewart. Congratulations Travis.
Race details follow:
1st Travis (R. Peterson) 40/60/20/180/5 S
2nd John H. (E. Fittapaldi) 80/60/40/160/4 **S
3rd Den (J. Stewart) 40/60/20/180/5 S
4th Travis (N. Lauda) 60/60/20/180/4 S
5th Steve (J. Ickx) 60/60/20/180/4 S
6th Terry (G. Hill) 60/60/40/160/4 S
7th Den (F. Cevert) 40/60/20/180/5 S
8th Terry (C. Reutemann) 60/60/40/160/4 S
9th Steve (C. Regazzoni) 60/60/20/180/4 S
10th Ray G. (D. Hulme) 60/40/40/160/6
11th John (J. Walker) 60/40/40/160/4 S
12th Ray G. (P. Revson) 40/40/40/160/5
Next event is at Kyalami. See you at the races.
Race Report – Speed Circuit Watkins Glen 2021
Ferrari Takes Win and Series Constructor’s Cup While Tyrell Driver Wins Championship.
The season’s Driver and Constructor Championships were on the line at this years season finale at Watkins Glen. Stewart enter the race with a 3 point lead over Ickx. Both driver’s teams were battling for the first place with Ferrari holding a slim lead over Tyrell. Mclaren and Brabham did not show for the race creating opportunities for other teams to advance.
Lap 1: Pete Lovely started on pole position, but his weak downforce setup plagued him throughout the day and he quickly faded into the pack finishing 8th. Stewart took and early lead and captured the bonus point for the first lap.
Lap 2: Ferrari’s number 2 driver, Regazzoni, started in 5th, but skillfully maneuver around Lotus and Tyrell to take the lead going down the front straight during the second lap. Not to be out done, Lotus driver Fittapaldi passed Regazonni. Regazonni caught Fittapaldi in the last corner, past him, and earned the bonus point for the second lap.
Lotus makes a move and takes the lead coming out of the Chute on Lap 2.
Lap 3: Regazzoni built an insurmountable lead. Stewart got by Fittapaldi, but could not catch Regazzoni. Regazzoni won the race followed by Stewart and Reggazoni. The contender for the series title, Ickx, had started in 9th place, but finished in 4th. As a result of their efforts, Lotus jumped two slots in the constructors championship.
On a darker note, BRM driver Siffert crashed on the final lap. A speedy recovery is expected.
Race details follow:
| #5 Watkins Glen 3 Laps (3 Nov 2021) Turns = 29 Spaces = 2 avg speed = 141.37mph | 1st Steve (C. Regazzoni) 60/60/20/180/4* S 2nd Den (J. Stewart) 80/60/20/160/5* S 3rd John H. (E. Fittapaldi) 60/60/40/180/4 S 4th Steve (J. Ickx) 60/60/20/180/4 S 5th Den (F. Cevert) 60/60/20/160/4 S 6th John H. (R. Wisell) 60/40/40/160/4 S 7th Ray R. (R. Peterson) 40/60/20/140/6 S 8th Ray G. (P. Lovely) 80/40/40/140/6 W 9th Dan (P. Rodriguez) 60/40/20/180/5 10th Ray G. (J. Biden) 40/40/40/160/5 11th Ray R. (N. Galli) 40/60/40/140/5 S CR Dan (J. Siffert) 80/40/20/180/5 |
Race Report – Speed Circuit 2021 Monza
McLaren Owned the Starting Grid But Ferrari Owned the Race
McLaren driver’s held pole and 3rd positions dominating the first row of the starting grid at this year’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Brabham’s D. Hulme accompanied the McLarens on the first row. All cars in the first row were configured with weak downforce and setup to go fast on the straits. Meanwhile, the championship leader, J. Stewart, was all the way back on the inside of row 4. Team BRM, led by veteran manager Dan, made its first showing of the season.
At the Curva Grande the weak downforce cars displayed cornering instability. Team Tryell was first to capitalize on the McLaren’s weakness. Cevert took the lead heading out of the Lesmos and Stewart moved from 10th to 3rd.
Cevert and Stewart worked in tandem and Stewart slipped into the lead. BRM and Ferrari pressed McLaren out of the Parabolica. The McLarens were fast on the straights, but to slow in the corners and ultimately outclassed by the strong downforce cars.
Ickx slipped past the McLarens and held a position behind the Tyrells as they passed the line to begin the second lap. The Tyrells had spent 2/3 of their skill points in the first lap and this would negatively impact the team’s tactics for the rest of the race. The McLarens also suffered from bad luck.
While Ickx maintained his position behind Cevert, his team mate, Regazzoni quietly maneuvered through the pack. The Ferraris linked up down the back stretch and eventually disrupted the Tyrells.
Breaking up the Tyrell tandem proved critical to Ferrari’s success. Stewart once again crossed the finish line first, but Cevert fell back and Stewart battled against team Ferrari on his own with 1 skill point and just enough wear to make it through the last lap. BRM, Brabham and McLaren had battle ferociously during the second lap and were nearly spend as well.
Regazonni used his teammate to slingshot past Stewart going down the back straight. Ickx got the inside position on Stewart going into the Parabolica. The Ferraris were first through the Parabolica and Stewart slip-streamed Regezonni to pull up along side the Ferraris. The leaders were three wide heading into the final corner of the race.
Stewart should have won the race on the following turn. but he made a critical tactical error. The Ferraris went 160mph through the 120mph corner section and occupied the two outside lanes just past the corner blocking use of the 120mph section. If Stewart had gone 140mph he could have safely navigated the 100mph section, taken the inside space next to the Ferraris, and gone 180mph during the next turn crossing the finish line ahead of the Ferraris and won, but instead he plotted 160mph. He still had an opportunity to late brake down to 140mph, but did not. Stewart attempted going 60mph over the limit through the 100mph section and rolled a 6 on the chance table. He used us last skill chip to avoid crashing and spunout blowing his opportunity for victory.
Ickx crossed the start finish line first and was followed by Regazzoni and Cevert. Stewart recovered from the spin and just barely beat Shenken across the finish line to take 4th place.
Then Githen suffered a horrific crash in the last corner. He survived, but may not be well enough to race in the next and final race of the season.
Race details follow:
1st Steve (J. Ickx) 60/60/20/180/4 S
2nd Steve (C. Regazzoni) 60/60/20/180/4 S
3rd Den (F. Cevert) 60/60/20/180/4 S
4th Den (J. Stewart) 60/60/20/180/4** S
5th Terry (T. Shenken) 60/40/40/160/5 S
6th Terry (G. Hill) 80/40/40/160/4 W
7th Travis (D.Hulme) 80/20/40/160/5 W
8th Dan (P. Rodriguez) 60/40/20/180/5
9th Ray R. (R. Peterson) 40/60/20/180/5
10th Dan (J. Siffert) 80/40/20/180/5
11th Ray R. (N. Galli) 60/40/40/160/6
CR5 Travis (P. Gethin) 60/20/40/160/6 W
Stewart is only three points ahead of Ickx in the championship. Hulme could make a comeback. Ferrari is leading the constructors competition. The final race at Watkins Glen is looking to be a nail-biter. Hope to see you at the race!
Race Report – Speed Circuit 2021 Silverstone by Steve
Rookie Manger Puts Team On Pole But Does Not Finish Race
Eight players showed up for the British Grand Prix. Due to the numbers each player only control one driver resulting in an eight car race.
Rookie manager Steve L. was hired by Matra and he promptly secured the pole position for J. Beltoise, but his lack of experience was soon evident. McLaren driver D. Hulme shared the front row with Beltoise along with P. Lovely. Hulme quickly assumed the lead, a position he would hold throughout the race. Unfortunatly, Beltoise and Lovely faded back.
Hulme drove a steady pace while the field battled behind him. As a result the McLaren driver gained bonus points for leading the first two laps.
His dominance was challenge in the final lap. Lotus driver E. Fittapaldi began an attack on Hulme at the start of the final lap. Ferrari, Brabham, and Tyrell drivers also jousted for position.
Lotus Manager, John, had reconfigured the Lotus car between races and the Strong Downforce appeared to be paying off as the Lotus threatened to take the lead at the Maggots Curve. But the McLaren had an abundance of wear points and was able to maintain the lead through Becketts Corner and the Chapel Curve.
Between Stone Corner and Woodcote, Fittapaldi once again closed the gap, but wasn’t able to pass Hulme. Hill and then Stewart slipped by Ickx.
As the leaders crossed the finish line, Beltoise crashed in Woodcote.
Hulme finished first closely followed by Fittapaldi, Hill, Stewart. Ferrari finished fifth, Lovely VW sixth, and March seventh. Silverstone had the closest top 4 finish this season.
Congratulations to Travis for his second win, John for his first podium finish this season, and Terry for his consecutive podium finish!
Race results follow:
1st Travis (D.Hulme) 80/40/20/160/5**S
2nd John H. (E. Fittapaldi) 40/60/40/180/4 S
3rd Terry (G. Hill) 60/40/40/160/5 S
4th Den (J. Stewart) 40/60/40/180/4 S
5th Steve (J. Ickx) 60/60/20/180/4 S
6th Ray G. (P. Lovely) 60/40/40/160/5
7th Ray R. (N. Galli) 60/40/20/160/6 W
CR Steve L. (J. Beltoise) 80/40/20/140/6
Next race is scheduled for 1 September at Monza!
Hope to see you at the race.
Race Report – Speed Circuit 2021 Monaco
Ferrari leads first two laps, but falls short.
Six teams lined up on the starting at Monaco. Ferrari’s J. Ickx once again held the pole position. Lotus driver E. Fittapaldi started in position 2 and Ferrari driver C. Regazzoni completed the front row. On the start Lovely advanced past Fittapaldi and Regazzoni and challenged Ickx down the Beau Rivage setting a blistering pace.
The slowest segment of the course, featuring the Station Hairpin, compressed the field and allowed the leaders to build a gap.
Ickx crossed the finish line ahead of Lovely to complete the 1st lap. Lovely VW team’s J. Biden held last place 27 spaces behind the leader! The field was spread out; Ickx and Lovely looked unstoppable.
During the second lap, the other strong down force configured cars began to close in on the leaders while leaving the rest of the pack behind. The strong down force group was out of the tunnel and through the Chicane du Port before the others had reached the Tunnel straight.
Ickx was once again first across the finish line, but team Ferrari was spent and rapidly began to fall off pace. At the beginning of the 3rd lap, Lovely, Stewart, and team Brabham pressed the leader. Team Ferrari was in dire straits as the prancing ponies stumbled through the Station Hairpin.
Lovely and Stewart passed Ickx just before the tunnel.
Stewart closed the gap on Lovely. Brabham’s replacement driver Shenken slipped past Regazzoni. Stewart was forced to take the inside lane at the Gazometre and almost lost control, but emerged out of the corner ahead of Lovely and won the race. Lovely followed to take second. Shenken passed Ickx to gain the third spot on the podium.
Race results follow:
1st Den (J. Stewart) 60/60/40/160/5 S
2nd Ray G. (P. Lovely) 80/40/40/160/5 S
3rd Terry (T. Shenken) 60/60/40/140/5 S
4th Steve (J. Ickx) 80/40/20/160/5 S
5th Steve (C. Regazzoni) 80/40/20/160/5 S
6th Den (F. Cevert) 40/60/40/160/4 S
7th Terry (G. Hill) 80/40/20/140/5 S
8th John H. (R. Fittapaldi) 80/40/60/140/5
9th John H. (R. Wisell) 60/40/40/140/5
10th Ray G. (J. Biden) 40/40/40/160/5 S
11th Ray R. (N. Galli) 60/40/40/160/6
12th Ray R. (R. Peterson) 40/60/20/140/6
The next event is Steve’s new Silverstone course and is scheduled for 4 August 2021.
Hope to see you at the race!
Race Report – Speed Circuit 2021 Kyalami
The 11th Season of Speed Circuit is Underway!
Seven teams showed for the 11th season inaugural race at Kyalami using the 1971 teams. After nearly 18-months of downtime, the unexpected was expected. But, once again strong downforce cars dominated the field of 14 cars.
Ferrari held positions one and two on the start grid with Ickx on the pole. Lovely shared the the first row and hoped to better the second place finish he had last year at Kyalami. The other teams had undergone extensive management changes during the off season.
Ickx and Regazzoni bolted off the start line. Would Ferrari own the day? Confidence was at an all time high in the Prancing Pony’s pits.
The high downforce cars flew through the Jukskei Sweep and began pulling away from pack. Biden’s low downforce car began to exhibit stability problems.
Ickx was first to complete lap 1, but he was challenged by Hulme, the McLaren driver. The gap between the strong downforce cars and the rest of the field was extraordinary. Biden continue to fall back.
Hulme drove at a blistering pace and passed Ickx just before entering Sunset Bend.
Hulme crossed the finish line before Ickx to take the second bonus point. The field was spread thin at the beginning of the third and final lap, but battles raged. Stewart, Regazzoni, and Lovely fought for third place. Cervert, the Elf Tyrell driver, spared with the Brabhams while Team Lotus was in hot pursuit. Meanwhile, the Marches reeled in Lovely BMW driver Biden.
Final lap was marked by daring feats and catastrophe. Hulme continue his relentless pace pushing his car to its limits and beyond. Stewart caught and passed Regazzoni on the front straight and threatened Ickx.
As they completed the second lap, the Backfield Battled continued. Cevert passed the Brabhams. Team March blew by Biden. Team Lotus set Brabham in their sites. The third lap would prove to be the most challenging for the back-markers as their wear points depleted.
Hulme was in perfect position to blast out of the corner while Ickx speed was locked. Stewart prepared to execute a final charge. Then…
Regazzoni spunout in Leeukop Bend spoiling his chance for a place on the podium as Lovely passed him.
Hulme flew across the start finish line for the win, but the race continued for the other drivers. Stewart pushed past Ickx on the front straight to take second place for Tyrell. McLaren’s Gethin slipped by Regazzoni and Lovely to secure fourth place.
Cevert spunout in the Leeukop Bend and Brabham’s Charlton tried to catch him, but crashed in the Esses. Then the two Lotus drivers spunout in the Esses followed by Hill who promptly spun. After all the dust settled, here are the final results:
1st Travis (D.Hulme) 60/60/40/160/4S
2nd Den (J. Stewart) 80/60/20/180/4 S
3rd Steve (J. Ickx) 80/40/20/160/5 S
4th Travis (P. Gethin) 60/60/40/160/4S
5th Ray G. (P. Lovely) 60/40/40/160/5 S
6th Steve (C. Regazzoni) 80/40/20/160/5 S
7th Den (F. Cevert) 40/60/20/180/4 S
8th John H. (R. Wisell) 60/40/40/160/5
9th John H. (E. Fittapaldi) 60/40/40/160/5
10th Terry (G. Hill) 60/40/40/160/5
11th Ray R. (N. Galli) 40/40/40/160/6
12th Ray R. (R. Peterson) 40/40/40/160/6
13th Ray G. (J. Biden) 60/40/40/160/5 W
CR1 Terry (D. Charlton) 60/40/40/160/5
The next race is scheduled for 7 July 2021 at Steve’s new Monaco course.
Race Report – Speed Circuit 2020 Kyalami
First Race of the new decade! Strong Down-Force Cars Dominate Kyalami.
Because of the incredible turn-out, teams were allowed only one car in Kyalami race. The new down-force rules were introduced. Four out of eight teams opted for normal down-force settings. On the other hand, Tyrell used weak down-force and Ferrari, Volkswagen, and Lotus opted for strong.
The eight cars that lined up on the starting grid were managed by veteran players and there were no rookies in the field.
Tyrell’s Jackie Stewart and Owen BRM’s Jacky Oliver lined up on the front row. With its acceleration and speed advantage the Tyrell car looked like a sure winner, but the car would be plagued by instability in the corner sections throughout the race.
During the first lap, Oliver began to pull away while the pack bunched up in The Esses.
Lotus driver Jochem Rindt took advantage of his car’s superior down-force setup to charge through the corners and catch Oliver on the front straight, but Oliver crossed the line first to earn a bonus point.
During lap 2, Rindt took the lead and Volkswagen’s Pete Lovely slipped by the field of competitors. Ferrari also dodged through the pack. The strong down-force cars set a blistering pace.
At the beginning of lap 3 Rindt, Lovely, and Ickx sprinted away from a wear depleted field.
During the last lap, many players ran out of wear and luck. Oliver and Beltoise battled for fourth place and then Beltoise spun at Sunset Bend.
Meanwhile, Rindt took the lead through the Esses with Lovely and Ickx in hot pursuit.
Lovely made a daring move in Leeukop Bend and passed Rindt.
Lovely and Rindt ended up dead even after the kink and heading toward the finish line. The Ferrari was the only car near the the leaders.
Rindt powered his Lotus ahead of Lovely to win the race.
Final race results follow:
1st Den (J. Rindt) 60/60/20/180/4* S
2nd Ray G. P. Lovely) 60/40/40/160/5 S
3rd Steve (J. Ickx) 80/40/20/160/5 S
4th Terry (J. Oliver) 80/40/40/140/5
5th John H. (D. Gurney) 80/20/40/140/6
6th Dan (Beltoise) 80/40/20/160/5
7th Ray R. (Amon) 60/20/20/180/6
8th Travis (J. Stewart) 80/20/60/140/5 W
The race was completed in 27 turns with an average speed of 128.148 mph.
Thanks for the turn out and a fun night of racing.
Special kudos to Steve for painting the new cars and providing a new printing of the classic Kyalami track.
Next race is planned for Monaco in February 2020.
Race Report – Speed Circuit 2019 Watkins Glen
A Race To Remember — Photo Finish!
The drivers championship hinged on the final race of the season. Bandini held a 5 point lead over Brabham for first. Ginther held a 2 point lead over Hill for 3rd. Only 7 points separated the next 7 contenders. As a result of the close standings, drivers battled for every position.
Although the winner of the last race, Tyrrell driver Hahne, started on pole, he fell back to third half way through the first lap. Hahne had been leap frogged by Brabham and Bell. Hill and Ginther were right behind him. The Ferrari drivers were side by side in hot pursuit.
But Hahne did not back off and slipped by Bell and Brabham to take the first lap bonus point.
Most of the drivers are burning through wear and skill points at an alarming rate. Bell attempted to take the lead back from Hahne while Brabham positions himself for a series of bold moves. Ginther pulled ahead of Hill. Bandini moved up to fourth (he only needed to finish third to win the championship).
Brabham pushed his car to the limit and made what some might call foolhardy maneuvers, but his luck paid off. Brabham started the third lap with a formidable lead and a depleted car. Farrari fell back. Honda stayed ahead of Eagle. The second Tyrrell driver moved up to fourth.
During the third and final lap, Bandini passed Ginther and Ickx, but was stymied by Hill. Hahne dashed away from Bell and caught Brabham on the back straight. Hahne and Brabham were side by side. Hahne won the shootout, late braked, and then spun on the inside of the last corner.
Hahne recovered from the spin and managed to cross the finish line ahead of Brabham to take the win!
It was Hahne’s second win in a row and team Tyrrell’s third win in 5 races. Congratulations Travis!
Several position changes occurred as the rest of the racers finished. Race results follow:
1st Travis (H. Hahne) 80/20/20/160/6*
2nd Den (J. Brabham) 80/40/20/160/6*
3rd John H. (Bell) 80/40/40/160/5
4th Ray G. (R. Ginther) 60/60/60/140/5
5th Terry (P. Hill) 80/40/40/140/5
6th Steve (L. Bandini) 80/40/20/160/6
7th Travis (Jacky Ickx) 60/40/20/160/6
8th Terry (D. Gurney) 60/40/40/140/6
9th Steve (M. Parkes) 60/40/20/160/5
10th Den (D. Hulme) 40/40/40/160/5
11th Ray G. (R. Bucknum) 60/40/40/140/5
12th John H. (B. McLaren) 40/40/40/160/5
Brabham 2 points ahead of Bandini to take the Driver’s Championship. Ginther finished the season 3 points ahead of Hill to finish third in the Driver’s Championship.
Ferrari finished 21 points ahead of Brabham to secure the Constructor’s Championship. Eagle took third place.
Special thanks goes out to Steve for creating 5 superb tacks for us to race on this season.
Also thank you all for participating this year, even if you only had a chance to race a couple of times. I hope you had as much fun as I did and I look forward seeing you all compete next year for our 10th season!
Note: Season 10 is planned to start in Jan 2020. We will be using teams from the 1970s season. The first race is at Kyalami South Africa.