Historic F1 – Page 3 – Table Top Racing Club

May 13, 2022January 16, 2023

Race Report – Speed Circuit Monaco 2022

Eight players showed for the race held on April using Steve K.’s spectacular Monaco map. Among the players was rookie manager John N. leading the Eiffeland team. All agreed to limit the number of drivers to one for each team.

Peterson sat on pole. For the first time this season, last year’s champion, Stewart, started in the first row. Hulme and Ganely occupied the second row followed by Fittpaldi and Stommelin. Reutemann and Galli were ready to go in the last row.

Peterson jumped into the lead followed by Stewart. Reutemann quickly moved his Brabham from 8th to 5th position. Hulme challenged the leaders during the first lap.

Stewart held off Hulme while Peterson moved the March further ahead. The Brabham and the Malboro BRM battled for position with BRM holding 4th position through the tunnel. Stommelin positioned himself to threaten Reuteman heading into the tunnel.

Perterson had a commanding lead going into the 2nd lap. Hulme failed to pass Stewart and his McLaren began to falter. Stommelin got by Ruetemann, but started to experience some engine trouble.

Peterson dominates in the March at Monaco during lap 2.

During the second lap, Peterson extended his lead with Stewart on his heals. Fittipaldi charged up to take the 4th position and threatened Hulme. Ganely lost momentum and began to loose positions. Stommelin’s Eiffeland trailed smoke and he also fell back.

The fight for fourth during the 2nd lap at Monaco.

Peterson maintained an incredible lead. Stewart gave his all to stay with Peterson, but could not pass him. Stommelin, Reutemann, and Hulme battled for 4th going three wide heading into the Gazometre. Reutemann made a daring move taking an inside line in the corner that resulted in him seizing 3rd position from Fittapaldi.

Field begins to spread out during the 3rd and final lap at Monaco.

Heading into the final lap, most of the cars were spent. Stommelin headed into the pits with a damaged engine that was on the verge of exploding. Peterson stretched his lead even further. Reutemann locked in 3rd place. Hulme passed Fittapaldi. Fittapaldi then struggled to keep 5th. Galli managed to pass Ganley through the Casino Corner.

Stewart made one more charge, but it was not enough and Peterson took the checkered flagg to win the race. Brabham’s Reutermann finished in 3rd followed by McLaren’s Hulme. Race details follow:

1st Travis (R. Peterson) 80/20/20/160/6** S
2nd Den (J. Stewart) 80/20/20/160/6 S
3rd Terry (C. Reutemann) 40/60/20/160/6 S
4th Ray G. (D. Hulme) 80/20/40/120/6 S
5th Steve (N. Galli) 60/40/20/160/6 S
6th Ray R. (H. Ganley) 60/40/40/140/6
7th John H. (E. Fittapaldi) 60/20/20/180/6 S
DNF John N. (Stommelin) 60/40/40/160/5 S

Hope to see at the next race on 18 May 2022 at the Rheims circuit.

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 – Rheims

Speed Circuit Race – Monza

Speed Circuit Race – Nurburgring

Speed Circuit Race – Brands Hatch

February 13, 2022

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.

Speed Circuit Race – Jarama

Speed Circuit Race – Kyalami

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.