3D Miniatures – Page 3 – Table Top Racing Club

June 4, 2023

Race Report: Speed Circuit 2023 Steve’s Monaco

Martini and Elf Battle at Monaco GP

Five teams competed in the Monaco Grand Prix this season fielding nine drivers. Martini’s lone driver, Amon, sat on the pole position and shared the front row with Elf’s Stewart. Brabham’s Reutmann and Elf’s Cevert secured the second row followed by William’s Galli and Brabham’s W. Fittapaldi. Team Hesketh filled the fourth row with Hunt and Purley.

Amon and Stewart set the pace and seemed to be pulling away from the pack. But the other drivers caught up to them at the Station Hairpin.

The Leaders Breakaway During the First Lap at Monaco.

Exiting the Station Hairpin, Cevert passed Stewart and gained an inside advantage on Amon. Then Cevert, Stewart, and Amon exited the corners ahead of the rest and extended their lead through the tunnel. Cevert attempted to slingshot Stewart into the lead going into the Gazometre, but the attempt failed and Amon gained the lead. Meanwhile, Williams, Hesketh, and Brabham battled for fourth.

Amon finished the first lap with Stewart and Cevert on his heals. Cevert began to slow and Williams caught him at the Virage Du Portier. Stewart extended his lead heading into the tunnel for the second time. The Brabhams and Heskeths were in a fierce struggle.

Amon caught up to Stewart and they raced neck-and-neck going into the Gazametre, but this time Stewart exited first and gained the bonus point for lap 2. Hunt broke away from the Brabhams and started to reel in Galli.

Stewart stayed off Amon and they built a large lead midway through the 3rd and final lap. Hunt passed Williams and tried to close the gap with the leaders going into to the Station Hairpin.

Stewart’s car faltered and he began to slow. Amon got by Stewart. Hunt smelled blood in the water, but could not catch the leaders. Amon crossed the finish line two spaces ahead of Stewart. Hunt finished 3rd followed by Cevert. Congratulations to Dave for the Win!

Race details follow:

1st Dave M. (C. Amon) 80/40/40/140/5 S*
2nd Den (J. Stewart) 80/40/40/160/4 S*
3rd Steve (J. Hunt) 60/60/40/140/5 S
4th Den (F. Cevert) 80/40/40/140/4 S
5th Travis (N. Galli) 60/60/40/140/5 S
6th Terry (C. Reutemann) 60/40/40/140/6 S
7th Terry (W. Fittipaldi) 60/40/40/140/5 S
8th Steve (D. Purley) 60/40/40/140/5 S
9th Travis (Howden) 40/40/40/160/5 W

May 29, 2023

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

April 4, 2022January 16, 2023

Race Report – Speed Circuit Jarama 2022

Tabletop Racing Club’s first race at Jarama.

A great deal of speculation surrounds the abrupt departure of Steve K. from Ferrari. Did he have a falling-out with Enzo? Steve K. quickly signed with the fledgling Martini Techno team. Ferrari hired Dan to replace Steve K. as their team manager. The stage was set for Jarama’s inaugural race.

Denny Hulme seized pole position with high hopes of repeating last month’s McLaren victory. Ferrari’s Jacki Ickx started beside him in the front row. The season’s championship leaders, Fittapaldi and Peterson, occupied the front row. Last year’s champion, Stewart sat dead last in the blue #1 Elf.

Note: due to the number of teams, each team was limited to one driver.

During the first lap McLaren and Ferrari battled for the lead. Lotus tried to push forward, but was kept at bay. The Red #8 March followed close behind as Fittapaldi drove conservatively. Martini’s driver Galli stayed close behind the March and was followed by Schuppen in the white and red Marlboro BRM. Stewart lagged far behind.

Hulme was first to complete the initial lap and looked unbeatable, but the first lap was costly and he began to slow going into lap two. The the Ferrari pounced.

Meanwhile the two drivers who had started in the last row, Reutemann and Stewart had quietly moved up through the pack. Hulme slipped further back. The Ferrari completed the second lap just ahead of the STP March.

Travis’ strategy and patients paid off as the STP March car had more wear points going into the third lap than the leader. Martini Techno also began to push and move up during the last lap, but Galli ran into some bad luck when his car’s brakes failed going into the final corner.

Fittapaldi finished first and secured a sizable lead in the championship for himself and team STP March. Congratulations to Travis and a well run race. Ickx finished second followed by Reutemann marking Ferrari’s and Brabham’s first podium finishes of the season.

The final standings follow:

1st Travis (R. Peterson) 80/20/20/160/6 S
2nd Dan (J. Ickx) 80/60/20/140/5 * S
3rd Terry (C. Reutemann) 40/60/20/160/6 S
4th Den (J. Stewart) 40/60/20/160/6 S
5th John H. (E. Fittapaldi) 80/20/40/160/5 S
6th Ray G. (D. Hulme) 80/20/40/160/5* S
7th Ray R. ((V. Schuppen) 60/40/40/140/6 S
DNF (Brakes) Steve (N. Galli) 60/60/20/140/6 S

Next race is scheduled for April 6 at Monaco. Hope to see you at the races!

Speed Circuit Race – Jarama

January 19, 2022January 19, 2022

Race Report – Speed Circuit Buenos Aires 2022

Thrilling Season Opener!

During the 2022 season we will be racing with the teams that participated in the 1972 formula season. Steve returns to manage the 2021 constructor’s championship team, Ferrari. Den once again leads Elf Tyrell, Terry spearheads MRD Brabham, and John steers the helm of JP Lotus. Travis moves to STP March. Yardly McLaren filled the void left by Travis by hiring Ray G.

The season opener took place in Argentina at the Buenos Aires circuit. Steve built the track board and it is the first time the club raced on the circuit. The narrow fast circuit proved to be a challenge to both drivers and vehicles.

Lotus driver Fittipaldi took pole position on the 12 driver starting grid. Elf’s Stewart, last years champion started in 10th. Ferrari drivers also started near the back of the pack. McLaren was the only team not using a strong down force setup and Hulme started in the front row next to Fittipaldi.

During the first lap Fittipaldi stayed in the lead and positioned himself coming out of the Cajon turn to pull far ahead of the pack. Stewart and Peterson began moving up while Luada moved into 3rd place.

Fittapaldi prepares to launch down the straight.

Fittipaldi continue to beat the pack out of the corners and built a commanding lead going into lap 2. Hulme faltered as his car chewed through wear points. Ickx remained in 3rd while Lauda moved up to 2nd.

Fittipaldi dominated the second lap. The remaining positions were highly contested.

Once again Fittapaldi was first to cross the finish line to begin the last lap earning his second bonus point in the race, but his wear points were running low. Soon, Stewart and Peterson made a run against the slowing leader.

Fittapadi’s lead dwindles during the last lap.

Stewart backed off, but Peterson pressed forward catching Fittipaldi and passing him in the last corner garnering victory!

Peterson was followed by Fittipaldi and Stewart. Congratulations Travis.

Race details follow:

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

Next event is at Kyalami. See you at the races.

June 6, 2021January 16, 2023

Race Report – Speed Circuit 2021 Kyalami

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.

Hulme and Stewart catch up to Team Ferrari on the back strait on lap 1.

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 and Hulme battle for the lead on lap 2.

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.

The field spread out at the beginning of the 3rd and final lap.

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.

McLaren driver Hulme maintains his lead on the third lap.

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 prepares to shoot down the front straight to win the race.

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.

McLaren driver Hulme crosses the finish line for the win!

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.