Tag: Speed Circuit

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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

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Race Report – Speed Circuit 2021 Monza

McLaren Owned the Starting Grid But Ferrari Owned the Race

McLaren driver’s held pole and 3rd positions dominating the first row of the starting grid at this year’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Brabham’s D. Hulme accompanied the McLarens on the first row. All cars in the first row were configured with weak downforce and setup to go fast on the straits. Meanwhile, the championship leader, J. Stewart, was all the way back on the inside of row 4. Team BRM, led by veteran manager Dan, made its first showing of the season.

Team McLaren dominates the starting grid at Monza!

At the Curva Grande the weak downforce cars displayed cornering instability. Team Tryell was first to capitalize on the McLaren’s weakness. Cevert took the lead heading out of the Lesmos and Stewart moved from 10th to 3rd.

Team Tyrell Challenges the McLarens through the Lesmos.

Cevert and Stewart worked in tandem and Stewart slipped into the lead. BRM and Ferrari pressed McLaren out of the Parabolica. The McLarens were fast on the straights, but to slow in the corners and ultimately outclassed by the strong downforce cars.

Can the besieged McLarens hold on?

Ickx slipped past the McLarens and held a position behind the Tyrells as they passed the line to begin the second lap. The Tyrells had spent 2/3 of their skill points in the first lap and this would negatively impact the team’s tactics for the rest of the race. The McLarens also suffered from bad luck.

Positions at the end of the first lap at Monza.

While Ickx maintained his position behind Cevert, his team mate, Regazzoni quietly maneuvered through the pack. The Ferraris linked up down the back stretch and eventually disrupted the Tyrells.

Regazzoni breaks through the pack at the Lesmos.
Regazzoni joins Ickx.
Ferrari dismantles the Tyrell tandem.

Breaking up the Tyrell tandem proved critical to Ferrari’s success. Stewart once again crossed the finish line first, but Cevert fell back and Stewart battled against team Ferrari on his own with 1 skill point and just enough wear to make it through the last lap. BRM, Brabham and McLaren had battle ferociously during the second lap and were nearly spend as well.

Lat lap into the Lesmos.

Regazonni used his teammate to slingshot past Stewart going down the back straight. Ickx got the inside position on Stewart going into the Parabolica. The Ferraris were first through the Parabolica and Stewart slip-streamed Regezonni to pull up along side the Ferraris. The leaders were three wide heading into the final corner of the race.

Leaders line up for the final corner.

Stewart should have won the race on the following turn. but he made a critical tactical error. The Ferraris went 160mph through the 120mph corner section and occupied the two outside lanes just past the corner blocking use of the 120mph section. If Stewart had gone 140mph he could have safely navigated the 100mph section, taken the inside space next to the Ferraris, and gone 180mph during the next turn crossing the finish line ahead of the Ferraris and won, but instead he plotted 160mph. He still had an opportunity to late brake down to 140mph, but did not. Stewart attempted going 60mph over the limit through the 100mph section and rolled a 6 on the chance table. He used us last skill chip to avoid crashing and spunout blowing his opportunity for victory.

Stewart spins in the final corner of the last lap at Monza!

Ickx crossed the start finish line first and was followed by Regazzoni and Cevert. Stewart recovered from the spin and just barely beat Shenken across the finish line to take 4th place.

One – Two victory for Ferrari!

Then Githen suffered a horrific crash in the last corner. He survived, but may not be well enough to race in the next and final race of the season.

Gethin crashes in the final corner of the last lap at Monza.

Race details follow:

1st Steve (J. Ickx) 60/60/20/180/4 S
2nd Steve (C. Regazzoni) 60/60/20/180/4 S
3rd Den (F. Cevert) 60/60/20/180/4 S
4th Den (J. Stewart) 60/60/20/180/4** S
5th Terry (T. Shenken) 60/40/40/160/5 S
6th Terry (G. Hill) 80/40/40/160/4 W
7th Travis (D.Hulme) 80/20/40/160/5 W
8th Dan (P. Rodriguez) 60/40/20/180/5
9th Ray R. (R. Peterson) 40/60/20/180/5
10th Dan (J. Siffert) 80/40/20/180/5
11th Ray R. (N. Galli) 60/40/40/160/6
CR5 Travis (P. Gethin) 60/20/40/160/6 W

Stewart is only three points ahead of Ickx in the championship. Hulme could make a comeback. Ferrari is leading the constructors competition. The final race at Watkins Glen is looking to be a nail-biter. Hope to see you at the race!

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Race Report – Speed Circuit 2021 Silverstone by Steve

Rookie Manger Puts Team On Pole But Does Not Finish Race

Eight players showed up for the British Grand Prix. Due to the numbers each player only control one driver resulting in an eight car race.

Rookie manager Steve L. was hired by Matra and he promptly secured the pole position for J. Beltoise, but his lack of experience was soon evident. McLaren driver D. Hulme shared the front row with Beltoise along with P. Lovely. Hulme quickly assumed the lead, a position he would hold throughout the race. Unfortunatly, Beltoise and Lovely faded back.

Hulme drove a steady pace while the field battled behind him. As a result the McLaren driver gained bonus points for leading the first two laps.

McLaren driver D. Hulme maintains the lead at the beginning of the last lap.

His dominance was challenge in the final lap. Lotus driver E. Fittapaldi began an attack on Hulme at the start of the final lap. Ferrari, Brabham, and Tyrell drivers also jousted for position.

Fittapaldi catches Hulme at Maggots Curve.

Lotus Manager, John, had reconfigured the Lotus car between races and the Strong Downforce appeared to be paying off as the Lotus threatened to take the lead at the Maggots Curve. But the McLaren had an abundance of wear points and was able to maintain the lead through Becketts Corner and the Chapel Curve.

Hulme secures his lead on the final lap while Hill and Ickx battle for third and Stewart looms in fourth.

Between Stone Corner and Woodcote, Fittapaldi once again closed the gap, but wasn’t able to pass Hulme. Hill and then Stewart slipped by Ickx.

Hulme, Fittapaldi, and Hill shoot out of the Woodcote Chicane heading for the finish line!

As the leaders crossed the finish line, Beltoise crashed in Woodcote.

Matra driver Beltoise crashes in Woodcote Chicane.

Hulme finished first closely followed by Fittapaldi, Hill, Stewart. Ferrari finished fifth, Lovely VW sixth, and March seventh. Silverstone had the closest top 4 finish this season.

Congratulations to Travis for his second win, John for his first podium finish this season, and Terry for his consecutive podium finish!

Race results follow:

1st Travis (D.Hulme) 80/40/20/160/5**S
2nd John H. (E. Fittapaldi) 40/60/40/180/4 S
3rd Terry (G. Hill) 60/40/40/160/5 S
4th Den (J. Stewart) 40/60/40/180/4 S
5th Steve (J. Ickx) 60/60/20/180/4 S
6th Ray G. (P. Lovely) 60/40/40/160/5
7th Ray R. (N. Galli) 60/40/20/160/6 W
CR Steve L. (J. Beltoise) 80/40/20/140/6

Next race is scheduled for 1 September at Monza!

Hope to see you at the race.

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Race Report – Speed Circuit 2021 Monaco

Ferrari leads first two laps, but falls short.

Six teams lined up on the starting at Monaco. Ferrari’s J. Ickx once again held the pole position. Lotus driver E. Fittapaldi started in position 2 and Ferrari driver C. Regazzoni completed the front row. On the start Lovely advanced past Fittapaldi and Regazzoni and challenged Ickx down the Beau Rivage setting a blistering pace.

Ickx and Lovely lead the pack down Beau Rivage.

The slowest segment of the course, featuring the Station Hairpin, compressed the field and allowed the leaders to build a gap.

Ickx and Lovely fly into the Tunnel leaving the field behind.

Ickx crossed the finish line ahead of Lovely to complete the 1st lap. Lovely VW team’s J. Biden held last place 27 spaces behind the leader! The field was spread out; Ickx and Lovely looked unstoppable.

Remarkable gaps appeared in the field at the end of lap 1.

During the second lap, the other strong down force configured cars began to close in on the leaders while leaving the rest of the pack behind. The strong down force group was out of the tunnel and through the Chicane du Port before the others had reached the Tunnel straight.

Ickx leads the second lap at Monaco.

Ickx was once again first across the finish line, but team Ferrari was spent and rapidly began to fall off pace. At the beginning of the 3rd lap, Lovely, Stewart, and team Brabham pressed the leader. Team Ferrari was in dire straits as the prancing ponies stumbled through the Station Hairpin.

Stewart makes an inside move while Lovely gains a positional advantage at the Station Hairpin.

Lovely and Stewart passed Ickx just before the tunnel.

Lovely takes the lead on lap 3 at Monaco.

Stewart closed the gap on Lovely. Brabham’s replacement driver Shenken slipped past Regazzoni. Stewart was forced to take the inside lane at the Gazometre and almost lost control, but emerged out of the corner ahead of Lovely and won the race. Lovely followed to take second. Shenken passed Ickx to gain the third spot on the podium.

Stewart is set to win Monaco.

Race results follow:

1st Den (J. Stewart) 60/60/40/160/5 S
2nd Ray G. (P. Lovely) 80/40/40/160/5 S
3rd Terry (T. Shenken) 60/60/40/140/5 S
4th Steve (J. Ickx) 80/40/20/160/5 S
5th Steve (C. Regazzoni) 80/40/20/160/5 S
6th Den (F. Cevert) 40/60/40/160/4 S
7th Terry (G. Hill) 80/40/20/140/5 S
8th John H. (R. Fittapaldi) 80/40/60/140/5
9th John H. (R. Wisell) 60/40/40/140/5
10th Ray G. (J. Biden) 40/40/40/160/5 S
11th Ray R. (N. Galli) 60/40/40/160/6
12th Ray R. (R. Peterson) 40/60/20/140/6

The next event is Steve’s new Silverstone course and is scheduled for 4 August 2021.

Hope to see you at the race!

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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.

2021 Kyalami Starting Grid.

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.

Team Ferrari Bolts off the Start Line!

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 passes Ickx.

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.

Battle in the Backfield!

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 spins during the last lap.

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.

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2021 Speed Circuit Car Design Complete

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.

Blender screenshots of the 1971 F1 Cars:

  • 1971 Brabham BT34
  • 1971 BRM P160
  • 1971 Ferrari 312B2
  • 1971 Lotus 72C
  • 1971 March 711
  • 1971 Martra MS120B
  • 1971 McLaren M19A
  • 1971 Surtees TS9B
  • 1971 Tyrrell

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Race Report – Speed Circuit 2020 Kyalami

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.

Next race is planned for Monaco in February 2020.

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Race Report – Speed Circuit 2016 Monza!

denny_hulme_wins
Denny Hulme Wins at Monza

Eight drivers lined up on the grid for this year’s Monza race.  Mclaren stalled at the start and was left far behind by the other racers.  Hahne, Hill, and Hulme quickly pulled away from the pack and conducted an epic three way battle.  Hulme slip-streamed Hahne to take the first lap and just barely held off Hill to secure the second.  Hahne fell back during the last lap and Hulme fought Hill tooth and nail for the lead position.    During the last lap, drivers began running out of wear and skill points.  Hill went into the last two corners with no wear.  He failed chance rolls in both corners and burned six skill points, but it was not enough.  Hulme got through the last corner first and accelerated away for the win.

Clark maneuvered his way through the throng advancing from 7th to 4th position.

Unser, still healing injuries he received at Indy, drove into the next to last corner too fast and his suspension broke; he was not able to finish the race.

On the last lap, Attwood, Biden and McLaren lined up on the front straight.  Attwood damaged his engine and Biden flew by him.  McLaren slip-streamed Biden and passed him to secure 5th place.

Race results follow:

1st (3) Den (D. Hulme) 80/40/20/160/6**
2nd (2) Steve (G. Hill) 80/40/20/160/6
3rd (1) Ray G. (H. Hahne) 80/40/40/160/5
4th (7) Steve (J. Clark) 60/40/20/160/5
5th (4) Den (B. McLaren) 40/40/20/160/6
6th (5) Ray G. (J. Biden) 40/40/40/160/5
7th (6) Terry (Attwood) 60/60/40/160/4
DNF (8) Terry (B. Unser) 60/60/40/160/4

Graham Hill maintained his position as championship points leader.  Check out the 2016 season standings here.

Note:  Denny Hulme actually won the Monza F1 race in 1968.