Season 11 Race #4
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.
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.
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.
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.
At the beginning of lap 3 Rindt, Lovely, and Ickx sprinted away from a wear depleted field.
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.
Meanwhile, Rindt took the lead through the Esses with Lovely and Ickx in hot pursuit.
Lovely made a daring move in Leeukop Bend and passed Rindt.
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.
Rindt powered his Lotus ahead of Lovely to win the race.
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.
Race Report – Speed Circuit Season 2016 Finale at Mexico City
S. Moser started on pole ahead of 11 other drivers during the Mexican Grand Prix, but was unable to finish the race due to a suspension failure. Hahne bolted into lead on the first lap. Graham Hill battle his way to front and led the second and third laps winning the race and securing the championship. Denny Hulme finished one space behind Hill and was followed by Hahne. Hulme and Hahne also finished 2nd and 3rd in the championship.
Despite finishing second in the individual championship, Hulme’s team, McLaren, won the constructor’s title 4 points ahead of Lotus.
Click here for season details.
Speed Circuit Season 2017 starts in January.
Race Report – Speed Circuit 2016 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.