I completed design on and started 3D printing the cars for our 2021 Speed Circuit season. The cars are inspired by the vehicles raced in the 1971 Formula 1 season including the Brabham BT34, BRM P160, Ferrari 312B2, Lotus 72C, March 711, Matra MS120B, McLaren M19A, Surtees TS9B, Tyrrell.
I designed the cars in Blender v2.83.4, a free program, and sliced them in Cura v4.7. I’m printing the cars on a Creality Ender 3 with a .2mm nozzle set at .08mm layer height. You may find photos of the completed prints in a later article.
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.
Kyalami 2020 Starting Grid
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.
Kyalami Lap 1 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.
Kyalami Start of Lap 2
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.
Kyalami Lap 2 Clubhouse Bend
At the beginning of lap 3 Rindt, Lovely, and Ickx sprinted away from a wear depleted field.
Kyalami Start of Lap 3
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.
Kyalami Lap 3: Beltoise Spins
Meanwhile, Rindt took the lead through the Esses with Lovely and Ickx in hot pursuit.
Kyalmi Lap 3: Battle for 1st Through the Esses
Lovely made a daring move in Leeukop Bend and passed Rindt.
Kyalami Lap 3: Lovely make a lovely move.
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.
Kyalami Lap 3: Leaders head to head through the Kink.
Rindt powered his Lotus ahead of Lovely to win the race.
Kyalami 2020: Win for Lotus
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.
