Tag: Board Games

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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 Season 2016 Finale at Mexico City

PKT3244-228879 GRAHAM HILL British driving ace Graham Hill proudly holds up the trophy he was awarded after winning the 150mile aintree '200'. In the race of formula one cars, Hill was followed by second place Innes Ireland in a Lotus BRM and third place Jim Clarke in a Lotus Climax.
Graham Hill Wins Speed Circuit Championship

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.

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Race Report – Speed Circuit 2016 Watkins Glen

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10 drivers lined up 3 wide at the start of this year’s race a Watkins Glen.  Brian Redman held pole position in his Cooper T86B.  He attempted to hold off Mclaren, Attwood, and Hahne, but Hahne gained the upper-hand and passed the finish line in the lead on the first lap.

Hulme worked his way through the pack from 8th place and linked-up with his team-mate.  The Mclaren’s worked together using slip streaming to minimize wear use and maximize speed.  Hulme completed the second lap ahead of Hahne taking the lead.

The fierce battles for position occurring throughout the race began to take its toll on the final lap.  In an attempt to take the lead, Scarfiotti made a daring move, but his rear axle gave way and he crashed leaving one Cooper in the race.  Unser pushed his car too hard and his transmission failed in the last corner.

Hulme held the lead during final lap winning the race.  Graham Hill started in 7th position and finished in 3rd place retaining his lead in the championship.  Securing 1st and 2nd place allowed McLaren to move to the top of the constructor’s competition for the first time this season.  Race results follow:

1st (8) Den (D. Hulme) 80/40/40/160/5*
2nd (3) Den (B. McLaren) 40/40/40/160/5
3rd (7) Steve (G. Hill) 80/40/20/160/5
4th (5) Ray (H. Hahne) 80/40/40/160/5*
5th (2) Terry (Attwood) 60/40/40/160/5
6th (1) John H. (Redman) 80/40/20/180/5
7th (10) Steve (J. Clark) 60/40/20/160/6
8th (4) Ray (J. Biden) 40/40/40/160/5
DNF Terry (B. Unser) 60/40/40/160/5
CR1 (6) John H. (Scarfiotti) 40/40/20/160/6

Click here for SEASON STANDINGS.

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3M Speed Circuit vs Avalon Hill Speed Circuit

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3M Sports Game Speed Circuit

Just got hold of the 1971 3M version of Speed Circuit.  Like the Avalon Hill version, the 3M game comes with three tracks (Monza, Monaco, and Watkins Glen) and six metal cars.  Unlike Avalon Hill’s version of the game, the tracks are not printed on map boards, instead they are integrated into the plastic/vinyl box cover.   The cover is wrapped around an internal box that holds the other game components.  Monza and Monaco are on one side of the map and Watkins Glen is on the other.  The map looks fantastic.

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3M Speed Circuit’s Watkins Glen

The game also includes thin cardboard dials to track speed, cards with per-generated cars, a laminated sheet to track cars and a grease pencil.  Although the dials are a bit flimsy, the game has an over all deluxe feel.

20160917-img_3414The basic rules use pre-generated cars printed on the cards.  Players pick cards randomly.  It is a good way to get new players into the game.  The rest of the rules are similar to Avalon Hill’s version except for one key factor.

3M’s Speed Circuit does not use dice.  That’s right!  Surpass a corner’s speed limit you pay wear (no option to roll on the chance table).  Exceeding a car’s top speed or start speed is not possible.  Nothing is left to chance.  The game focuses on skill.

Which is a better game?  The 3M game’s production value is better than Avalon Hill’s.  The addition of chance in the Avalon Hill rules adds an element excitement to the game while maintaining a fine balance between luck and skill.  Highly recommend both versions of the game, they are classics.

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Race Report – Speed Circuit 2016 Monza!

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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.