Champion Crowned at The Japanese Grand Prix
Eight cars lined up on the starting grid of Fuji’s inaugural race. Hunt and Andretti were on the front row followed by Mass and Nilsson. Cars from the two teams managed by Ray R., RAM (Lombardi) and BRM (Ashely), occupied the third row. The two Ferrari drivers, Lauda and Regazzoni, filled out the field.
The race got underway in a downpour with all cars equipped with rain tires. Andretti darted into the lead followed by Nilsson. The McLarens followed in hot pursuit. Eventually Hunt got around Nilsson. Andretti was first to cross the line and pickup the first lap bonus point.
Nilsson regained his position behind Andretti. The McLarens lacked the top speed needed to stay with the Lotuses. The Ferrari cars began to move up.
Halfway through the lap the rain subsided. The Lotus drivers stayed on the track while the rest of the field pitted and changed tires to racing slicks. Despite the disadvantage of running rain tires on the drying track, Andretti and Nilsson built a tremendous lead. Andretti once again captured a bonus point.
Regazzoni pushed his Ferrari to hard and its engine exploded going down the front straight. Lauda raced into third place, but could not catch the Lotuses. Andretti won the race securing the season championship for both himself and Lotus. Congratulation Tom!
A big thank you to every one who participated this season. Hope to see you all when the 2027 season begins in January 2027.
Race details following:
1st Tom V. (G. Nilsson) 40/40/40/180/5 W**
2nd Tom V. (M. Andretti) 40/40/40/160/5 W
3rd Den H. (N. Lauda) 40/60/40/160/5 N
4th Ray R. (I. Ashley) 60/40/40/160/5 S
5th Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/40/140/6 S
6th Ray R. (L. Lombardi) 40/40/40/140/6 S
7th Steve K. (J. Mass) 60/40/40/140/5 S
DNF-E Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 40/60/40/160/4 N