Tag: Formula One

Posted on

Race Report: Speed Circuit 2023 Watkins Glen (by Steve)

Record Number of Spin-outs Lead to a Photo Finish at the Glen

The final race of the 13th Speed Circuit season took place at the US Grand Prix held at the Watkins Glen circuit. After the tragic loss of his teammate Cevert, this season’s champion, Jackie Stewart, opted not to race. Den managed team Brabham in Terry’s absence with mixed results. Rookie manager Tom V. took charge of STP March for their first race of the season.

A total of 8 drivers filled out the grid with Fittipaldi in the JPS Lotus on pole position. Galli and Beltoise also occupied the front row. Brabham, Hesketh, and Shadow teams held the second row while STP March and Martini Techno started in the last row.

Fittapaldi and Galli launch from the starting line and dueled for the lead. Beltoise in the white and red #13 BRM tried to hold off Reutemann, Purly, and Oliver who chased him 3-wide through the Club House Esses.

The black #1 Lotus took the lead with the Williams, Hesketh, Shadow, and BRM machines in hot pursuit. Beltoise slipped back to 6th place. Fittipaldi crossed the start/finish line just ahead of Purley to pickup a bonus point.

Fittapaldi and Purly raced side-by-side for most of the second lap. Beltoise continued to fall back while Jarrier began to move up. The four lead cars were side-by-side and nose to tail blasting out of the Chute!

Purly pulled ahead of Fittapaldi going down the Back Straight. Then, while entering the Speed Trap, Fittapaldi made the first of many spin-outs. Purly gained an impressive lead through the Fast Bend, but then inexplicable spun-out in the 90 Hard Right. Fittapaldi had fallen all the way back to 6th and his tires were wearing thin.

Purly righted his car and was first across the line to start the 3rd and final lap, but instead of having a comfortable lead he was facing a tough fight. Then the JPS Lotus spun-out in the 90 Hard Right. Amon got around Reutemann and was in 3rd place. Galli maneuvered to the inside and captured the lead from Purly.

Next, Fittapaldi spun-out in the Esses. Reutemann tucked in behind Amon, stressed his engine, and bolted into second place going down the Front Straight. He then attempted to take the inside lane going through the outer loop, a bold move that would have placed him in the lead, but he spun-out instead ruining his chances for a podium finish.

Purly’s race car was spent and he could not hold off Amon. Galli and Amon battle for the lead. The Techno was tuned with a higher top-speed, but the Williams stayed just ahead. Reutemann had lost momentum and slipped back to 6th and barely managed to fend off Beltoise.

The race ended in a photo finish between Galli and Amon with Galli taking the win for Williams. Purly took 3rd followed by Oliver. Race details follow:

1st Travis (N. Galli) 60/40/20/160/6 S
2nd Dave M. (C. Amon) 40/40/40/180/5 S
3rd Steve (D. Purly) 60/40/20/180/6 S
4th AJ (J. Oliver) 60/40/40/160/5 S
5th Tom V. (J.P. Jarrier) 40/60/20/160 S
6th Terry C {Den} (C. Reutemann) 60/40/40/160/5 S
7th Ray R. (J. Beltoise) 60/40/40/160/5 S
8th John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 60/60/20/160/5 S

Thanks for everyone who participated in our 13th season of Speed Circuit. The 14th season is scheduled to begin in January 2024 simulating the 1974 F1 championships.

Sadly, we bid a fond farewell to Terry and will truly miss his presence at the racing table.

Posted on

Race Report: Speed Circuit 2023 Nurburgring (by Steve)

A battle to the end at the Ring!

Seven teams fielded a total of 7 drivers at this years German Grand Prix held on Steve’s magnificent rendition of the Nurburgring. On this gigantic course one lap equals three laps of an average size track.

Brabaham’s Reutemann had a great practice session and earned the pole position. While managing his second race, Surtees team lead Dave K. placed Pace in the first row. Stewart shared the second row with Oliver. BRM’s top driver Beltoise held the inside of the third row and Hesketh’s replacement driver, Purly, sat on the outside. For the first time this season, Williams’ ace, Galli occupied the last row.

The cars bolted off the starting line. Reutemann maintained an early lead. Stewart manuevered his blue #3 Elf Tyrell around Black #21 Shadow and the blue #9 Surtees to move into the second position. Galli clawed his way out of the last position.

Stewart got on the inside of Reutemann and then slipped by him while going through the Kottenborn. Stewart was first by the Aremberg bonus point marker. Then Oliver passed Reutemann. The Elf was chased by the Shadow. Galli made progress while Purly seemed to be losing ground. Beltoise stayed steady.

The competition was fierce. Reutemann surged to regain the lead, but once again lost the racing line and fell back into third. Pace faded back to 5th while Galli threatened the leaders. The drivers flew their machines through the Kesselchen.

Stewart maintained the lead, but could not shake the Shadow. Galli and Reutemann struggled side-by-side each trying to get the upper-hand on the other. Purly held the 5th position. Pace moved past Beltoise, but Beltoise remained calm.

Oliver challenged Stewart for the lead, but Stewart checked his moves. Purly moved into the frey for third place and found himself three-wide with Reutemann and Galli.

Purly got through the Kienes Karussell ahead of Galli and Reuteman and set his sites on the leaders. As he exited the Galgenkopt, Stewart could hear the engine of the Hesketh revving to the max behind him. Stewart red-lined his Elf, but he knew the it wouldn’t be enough because the Hesketh was stronger on the straights. Purly hammered the throttle going down Dottinger Hohe, but then he felt the clutch slip and he cursed as the Hesketh lost power–he couldn’t catch Stewart! Galli used the superior speed and durability of the Williams to close the gap between him and leaders. The BRM also had a powerful engine and Beltoise waited for the right time to use it.

Stewart got through the Chicane. Galli attempted to pass through Oliver, but Oliver blocked and they both spun-out! Then Beltoise made his move passing through the recovering Williams and gunning his BRM down the front straight. Stewart secured the checkered flag. Purly took second in a photo finish with Beltoise (Team BRM’s first podium of the season).

Race results follow:

1st Den (J. Stewart) 80/40/20/140/6 S**
2nd Steve (D. Purly) 40/40/40/160/6 S
3rd Ray R. (J. Beltoise) 60/40/20/160/6 S
4th AJ (J. Oliver) 60/40/40/140/6 S
5th Terry (C. Reutemann) 60/40/40/140/6 S
6th Dave K. (C. Pace) 60/40/40/140/6 S
7th Travis (N. Galli) 40/40/40/160/6 S

Posted on

Race Report: Speed Circuit 2023 Silverstone (by Steve)

British Fledgling Crashes at Silverstone

Six teams attended the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this year. Amon sat on pole in his red number 17 Martini Techno. Galli joined him in the second row in a dark green and red Williams, the only car in the field setup with weak down-force. The season points leader, Stewart, shared the second row with Beltoise. The rising British star Hunt started on the third row with the ever tenacious Reutemann. The engines roared and they were away in a flash.

Stewart drove like a man possessed and pushed his blue number 3 Elf to an early lead. Williams slipped into second. Reutemann got around Hunt while flying through Beckett’s Corner.

The contest’s theme was set early. Stewart and Galli pulled away from the pack and appeared to be in a private race. Stewart was first to complete the lap 1. Reutemann fought his way past Amon. Hunt slipped by Beltoise and battled with Amon.

During the lap 2 Stewart and Galli extended their lead and once again Stewart was first across the finish line for the bonus point. Hunt got around Amon and trailed closely behind Reutemann who showed him no quarter.

During lap 3 the unthinkable happened. Hunt exited Beckett’s corner at high speed, out-braked Reutemann going into Chapel Curve, and then lost control resulting in a terrifying crash. Later in Hospital, Hunt claimed he felt something just, “let go”. Doctors cut the interview short, but team manager Steve agreed that the most likely cause of the incident as a broken suspension. Hunt’s injuries are severe and he may be out for the rest of the season.

While exiting Maggot’s Curve, Stewart made a dreadful error and gave away the inside position to Galli. Galli immediately capitalized on Stewart’s mistake and captured the lead going down the Hanger Straight.

Stewart tried to recapture the position he had held for most of the race, but the Elf was spent and Galli held the inside advantage. Galli won in an exciting photo finish with Stewart beside him. Reutemann fended off Amon and finished second.

Race details follow:

1st Travis (N. Galli) 60/20/40/160/6 W
2nd Den (J. Stewart) 80/40/20/160/5 S**
3rd Terry (C. Reutemann) 60/40/40/160/5 S
4th Dave M. (C. Amon) 80/40/40/140/5 S
5th Ray R. (J. Beltoise) 60/60/40/140/5 S
CR4 Steve (J. Hunt) 60/60/40/180/4 S

Note: Special thanks to Terry for hosting the race at his house.

Posted on

Race Report: Speed Circuit 2023 Monjuic

Stewart Wins Three Races in a Row

Monjuic hosted eight teams this year. Shadow’s Oliver (#21) held pole position sharing the first row with Elf’s Stewart (#3). The second row was occupied by contenders Reutmann (#16) and Fittipaldi (#1). Galli (#19) and Von Opel (#28) filled the third row. The final row included Hunt (#26) and Beltoise (#13).

Stewart got the jump on Oliver and led through the first corner. Initially, the rest of the pack stayed in a tight formation.

Stewart and Oliver battled for the lead. Oliver made a move, but lost control of the Shadow going into La Pergola. Galli began reeling in Stewart. Meanwhile, Hunt weaved his way to the 5th position.

Galli stayed glued to Stewart looking for an opening. Oliver closed in on the leaders, but spun-out again. Hunt passed Fittapaldi avoided the spinning Shadow and secured 3rd.

The second lap heated up as Fittapaldi and Hunt battled for third place and Stewart and Galli dueled for first. Galli’s Williams began to fade just as Stewart pushed the Elf through Sant Jordi.

Stewart began to build separation. Hunt had fallen back to fourth, but rebounded by making a series brilliant moves in the El Anulo de Miramar, Rosseleda, and Font Del Gat, ultimately moving into second.

Stewart led the third and final lap finishing in first place for the third race in a row. Hunt finished 2nd, and Fittapaldi 3rd. Race details follow:

1st Den (J. Stewart) 80/40/20/160/5 S**
2nd Steve (J. Hunt) 60/40/40/160/5 S
3rd John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 60/40/20/160/6 S
4th Travis (N. Galli) 60/20/40/160/6 W
5th Terry (C. Reutemann) 60/40/40/160/5 S
6th Dan (R. von Opel) 60/40/40/160/5
7th AJ (J. Oliver) 80/40/20/160/5
8th Ray R. (J. Beltoise) 60/40/40/160/5 S

Posted on

Race Report: Speed Circuit Nurburgring Full 2022

Legendary Manager Makes a Come Back!

Nine teams faced off at the “Green Hell”, the giant German Grand Prix Nurbergring course. The field included veterans, one rookie manager (Dave-Team Guthrie), and the surprise appearance of Adam managing Team Surtees.

Stewart placed Elf Tyrell in the pole position for the first time this season. John Player Lotus’ Fittipaldi shared the front row with Stewart. Reutemann and Peterson, the season championship points leader, occupied the second row.

Stewart blasted off the line and was initially challenged by Fittapaldi, but Peterson charged by Fittapaldi. Hulme in the McLaren and Galli in the Martini began working their way through the pack.

Peterson pushed his red #8 March past Stewart and was first past the checkpoint 1, but then his engine began to smoke and he slowly rolled off the course. Surtees pressured Reutemann who struggled in the Brabham.

Galli made a brilliant move in the Karnssell to slip by Fittapaldi and then was first across the second checkpoint just ahead of Stewart. Unable to keep pace with Galli’s faster Martini, Stewart conceded the position. Steve’s Martini team lead a race for the first time this season.

Hulme and Reutemann passed Fittapaldi. Then Hulme pressed Stewart. Fittapaldi tried, but failed to recapture his position from Reutemann. Galli crossed the finish line just ahead of Stewart and Hulme securing Martini’s first victory! Reutemann finished ahead of Fittipaldi while Surtees, Beuttler, and Ganely flew down the front straight side-by-side.

Congratulations Steve! Great track and fantastic race.

Race details follow:

1st Steve (N. Galli) 60/40/20/160/4 S*
2nd Den (J. Stewart) 80/40/20/140/4 S
3rd Ray G. (D. Hulme) 60/40/40/140/4 S
4th Terry (C. Reutemann) 60/40/20/160/4 S
5th John H. (E. Fittapaldi) 60/40/40/160/4 S
6th Adam (J. Surtees) 60/20/40/140/5 S
7th Dave (M. Buettler) 60/20/60/140/4 S
8th Ray R. (H. Ganley) 40/40/20/140/6 S
DNF Travis (R. Peterson) 60/40/20/160/4 S*

Next race at Monza!

Posted on

Race Report – Speed Circuit Kyalami 2022

The South African GP Challenge

A rules change occurred before the race began. Instead of using skill points to by back failed dice rolls, the 1 skill point could be used in lieu of a dice roll. As expected, this had an impact on racing strategy.

For the second year in a row 14 drivers occupied the grid at the South African GP. Team McLaren appeared with a new livery and reconfigured cars hoping to redeem themselves after a poor showing at Argentina. McLaren’s Denny Hulme claimed the pole and shared the front row with Brabham drivers Hill and Reutemann. Fitapaldi held 4th position in his JPS Lotus while the other series leader Peterson started in the row behind him. Who would break their 15 point tie?

Marlboro BRM hired Ray R. to lead their team and they were the only team not running strong down-force cars. But Marlboro garnered the 5th and 7th grid positions. The second row also included Ferrari driver Regazzoni in the 6th slot. Last season’s champion, Jacky Stewart was in 7th position.

As the cars roared away from the start-line line, Fittapaldi launch through the Brabhams and quickly passed Hulme. Fittapaldi was leading out of the Jukskei Sweep closely followed by Hulme. The two drivers repeated this pattern throughout laps 1 and 2.

Clubhouse Bend and The Esses proved to be a very challenging section of track for those behind the leaders. Many drivers found themselves having to emergency brake in order to avoid collisions. Fittapaldi and Hulme exited Leenkop Bend ahead the other drivers and established a large gap going down the front straightway.

Each group exiting the Leenkop Bend ahead of the other created a gap essentially stratifying the field into a leader segment, a middle segment, and an all others segment. This stratification proved difficult to overcome as it became reinforced with every run through Leenkop Bend. Drivers attempting to move up to the next group strained their vehicles to the limit.

Fitapaldi gained a bonus point for being first to complete the first lap followed by Hulme in his slipsteam. Then they raced side-by-side for most of the second lap. March driver Peterson had work his way through the pack and slowly began to reel in the leader group. Other drivers struggled to gain a footing. The teams burned through wear and skill points at a tremendous rate. Some began to experience brake and engine damage.

Then Regazzoni crashed hard in The Esses. He may be out for the next 5 races. Ferrari manager Steve said he is considering replacing Regazzoni with Mario Andretti.

Fittapaldi Stayed in the lead and then Regazzoni Crashed!

Once again Fittapaldi crossed the line first to start the final lap. Peterson was getting closer. Stewart dashed down the front straight, but it was not enough and his wear and skill points were soon spent. Brabham’s Hill began to fall back with a damaged engine. Peterson teammate, Lauda struggled with an ever failing brake system.

During the 3rd and final lap, the leaders raced side-by-side until Hulme passed Fittapaldi going into the Clubhouse Bend. Then Peterson beat Fittapaldi exiting the Leenkop Bend and threatened the leader. Hulme and Peterson pushed their engines pass the red-line as they charged down front strait heading for the finish line.

Peterson’s engine misfired and a thin line of smoke trailed behind his car. The McLaren held steady and Hulme was victorious for the second season in a row at Kyalami (under two different managers). Peterson finished a split second ahead of Fittapaldi. Stewart finished 4th followed by Revson.

Although he did not win the race, Peterson took a 1 point lead ahead of Fittapaldi in the drivers championship. Race details follow:

1st Ray G. (D. Hulme) 80/40/40/160/5 S
2nd Travis (R. Peterson) 40/60/40/180/4 S
3rd John H. (E. Fittapaldi) 60/60/60/160/6 **S
4th Den (J. Stewart) 60/60/40/180/4 S
5th Terry (C. Reutemann) 60/40/40/160/5 S
6th Travis (N. Lauda) 40/60/40/180/4 S
7th Steve (J. Ickx) 60/60/20/180/4 S
8th Ray R. (H. Ganley) 60/40/40/140/6
9th Den (F. Cevert) 40/60/20/180/4 S
10th Terry (G. Hill) 60/40/40/160/5 S
11th Ray G. (P. Revson) 40/40/40/160/5 S
12th Ray R. (V. Schuppen) 60/40/40/140/6
13th John (J. Walker) 40/60/40/140/4 S
CR5 Steve (C. Regazzoni) 60/60/20/180/4 S

Next race is Jarama. Thanks, hope to see you at the race.

Posted on

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.

Ferrari sut smarts Tyrell and Lotus and takes the lead on Lap 2.

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.

Ickx takes back the lead and never looks back.

Ferrari driver Ickx win at the Glen!

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