Another Argentina Grand Prix Thriller!
Seven teams took to the grid inaugurating the Table Top Racing Club’s 13th season of Speed Circuit. The race also marked the first appearance of the UOP Shadow racing team managed by AJ. Unfortunately, Travis, last year’s champion team manager, was not present.
J. Stewart started in pole position in the Elf Tyrrell and Hulme in the Yardley McLaren shared the front row. Lotus and Shadow held the second row. The Tyrrell, McLaren and Lotus bolted at the start and were three wide down the front straight. Stewart gained an early lead. The Shadow began to have engine problems.
Hulme and Fittapaldi challenged Stewart’s position. Hulme got the upper hand and completed the first lap ahead of Stewart.
During the second lap, the McLaren and Tyrrell led the pack while exchanging positions several times. Hulme and Stewart pushed their machines to the limit.
The McLaren lost grip in the corners and began to slow. Stewart took back the lead and finished lap 2 ahead of Hulme. Fittapaldi passed Hulme and made Stewart his next target.
Hulme spun-out in Curva Numero Uno and then again later causing him to fall further back. Stewart began nursing the Tyrrell while Fittipaldi charged the Lotus gaining the first position.
Fittipaldi was not able to shake Stewart and they ended up side-by-side going into the last series of corners. Fittipaldi had the inside position and it looked like he had secured victory, but then he spun-out. Stewart maneuvered around the spinning Lotus, seized the lead and captured the win!
Fittipaldi finished 2nd followed by Reutemann in the Brabham. The Shadow’s engine gave out and Oliver was not able to finish the race.
Race details follow
1st Den (J. Stewart) 80/40/20/160/5 *
2nd John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 60/40/40/160/5 S
3rd Terry (C. Reutemann) 60/40/40/160/5
4th Steve (J. Hunt) 60/40/40/160/5 S
5th Ray R. (Beltoise) 60/40/40/160/5
6th Ray G. (D. Hulme) 60/40/40/160/5 S*
DNF (Engine) AJ (J. Oliver) 60/40/40/140/6 S
Our next race is at Kyalami hope to see you there.