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.