Tag: Historic F1

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2026 Monaco

British Team’s American Driver Continues Winning Streak at Monaco

The grid at this year’s Monaco Grand Prix was populated with eight teams. McLaren and Willams secured the number and two grid positions. Lotus driver Andretti was in the second row with Penski’s Watson followed by BRM’s Ashely and Ferrari’s Lauda. Hoffman in the Fittapaldi and Laffite in the Ligier filled out the final grid row.

Hunt and Ickx pounced off the starting line and battled for the lead. Watson spun at Hotel Loews and opened the door for Ashely to take a short lived lead. Lauda began to move through the pack.

Ickx shot through the tunnel taking back the lead. Andretti accelerated though the tunnel and down the straight pulling Lauda in his slipstream and challenging the leaders. As Andretti seized the lead Hunt pulled up behind him. Ickx began having break issues and began to falter.  Andretti earned the first lap point.

During the second lap Andretti held the lead and grew it extensively and easily taking the second lap point. Hunt maintained second position. Luada and Ickx battled for third place. Watson failed to recover his pre-spin position.

The final lap saw Andretti build an insurmountable lead resulting in him winning the race practically unchallenged. Hunt and Lauda consolidated their podium positions, 2nd and 3rd place. The rest of the field expended wear point to hold or advance their positions in a lively backfield race to the finish. 

Race details follow:

1st Tom V. (M. Andretti) 60/40/40/140/6 W**
2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 80/40/40/140/5 S
3rd Den H. (N. Lauda) 60/60/40/140/5 S
4th John H. (I. Hoffman) 40/40/40/160/6 S
5th Tori P. (J. Ickx) 80/60/40/140/4 S
6th Ray R. (I. Ashley) 60/40/20/160/6 S
7th Ray G. (J. Watson) 60/40/40/160/6 S
8th Dave M. (Ligier) 40/60/60/140/5 S

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2026 Kyalami

American Driver Dominated South African Grand Prix

Five teams competed in this years race at Kyalami. Hunt started on the pole next to Andretti. Lauda and Nilsson occupied the second row followed by Watson and Mass. Regazzoni and Hoffmann filled in the final row.

Hunt and Andretti battled for the top position for most of the first lap with Andretti finally pulling ahead. Watson attempted to move through the pack, but spun at Sunset bend. Lauda began a battle with Hunt for second place. Andretti already built a substantial lead by the end of first lap. 

During the second lap, Lauda pulled away from Hunt and made a run on Andretti, but Andretti maintained a strong lead. Hoffmann began to move up from the back. Reggazoni moved through the pack, but then made a mistake that would cost him dearly during the next lap.

Andretti held an untouchable lead during the third and final lap. Team Ferrari looked spent and Regazonni slipped back while Lauda struggled against Hunt to hold second. Watson began to move through the pack to challenge Hoffmann.

Andretti won the race! Hunt beat Lauda in a drag race down the front straight to take second. Hoffman crossed the start finish line just ahead of Watson to secure 4th place.

Race details follow:

1st Tom V. (M. Andretti) 80/20/40/140/6 W**
2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 80/40/20/160/5 S
3rd Den H. (N. Lauda) 80/40/20/160/5 S
4th John H. (I. Hoffmann) 40/40/40/160/6 S
5th Ray G. (J. Watson) 60/40/40/160/6 S
6th Tom V. (G. Nilsson) 60/20/40/140/6 W
7th Steve K. (J. Mass) 60/40/20/160/5 S
8th Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 60/40/20/160/5 S

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2025 Monza

A Non-stop Battle to the Finish!

Six teams filled out the grid for this years Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari’s Lauda and Lotus’ Peterson were racing for leadership of the championship, but they were met by stiff competition from all fronts. In particular, Hunt and Fittapaldi were relentless in pursuit of victory.

Watson had a brilliant qualifying session and placed his blue Maki in the pole position sharing the front row with Peterson in the striking black and gold Lotus. Fittapaldi and Hunt gained positions in the second row. Lauda and Evans revved their engines in the last row.

Peterson and Fittapaldi launch off the start-line with Peterson taking an early lead. While a majority of the drivers formed a conga line behind Peterson in the Curva Grande, Lauda punished his car by rocketing the Ferrari up the inside lane. Lauda succeeded in taking the lead and earning the first lap bonus point.

Hunt seized the initiative and lead most of the second lap. In stark contrast to the first lap Lauda nursed the Ferrari and fell of pace. Person gained the lead, but damaged his brakes and gave the lead back to Hunt who grabbed the second lap bonus point. Fittapaldi and Lauda tried to keep the leaders in site.

Hunt dominated most of the third and final lap pulling away from Person in the ailing Lotus. Lauda completed an pass through on Peterson in the Parabolica pulling up in the inside lane next to a very surprised Hunt. Then Lauda exceeded the Ferrari’s top speed and won the race in a photo finish.

Race details follow:

1st Den H. (N. Lauda) 60/40/20/160/6 W*
2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/20/180/5 S*
3rd John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 40/60/20/160/5 S
4th Tom V. (R. Peterson) 60/40/20/180/5 S
5th Ray R. (B. Evans) 40/40/40/160/6 S
6th Ray G. (D. Walker) 60/40/40/180/4 S

The next and final race of the season will be US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2025 Osterreichring

Inaugural Austrian Grand Prix!

Seven teams competed on the Osterreichring circuit for the first time in club history.  Hunt seized the pole position sharing the front row with Walker. Fittapaldi’s red and white #1 McLaren shared the second row with Lauda’s red Ferarri. Evans and Andretti shared the third row followed by Reutemann.

Hunt dominated the first lap closely followed by Lauda and Walker. Fittapaldi lead the middle of field keeping his powder dry for later laps.

Hunt continued to lead the second lap. Walker fell off the pace while Fittapaldi charged forward.

During the third and final lap, Fittapaldi seized the lead shadowed by Lauda. Andretti slipped by Walker and Evans. Then Fittapaldi crashed in the Texico Schikane handing the lead to Lauda. Hunt and Andretti grappled for second place. Luada finished first followed by Andretti and Hunt.

Race details follow:

1st Den H. (N. Lauda) 80/40/20/160/5 S
2nd A.J. (M. Andretti) 40/60/40/160/5 S
3rd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 80/40/20/160/5 S**
4th Ray G. (D. Walker) 60/40/40/140/6 S
5th Ray R. (B. Evans) 40/40/40/160/6 S
6th Dave M. (C. Reutemann) 40/60/40/160/5 S
CRS(1) John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 40/40/40/160/6 S

The next race is at Monza on 24 September 2025. See you at the races!

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2025 Steve’s Silverstone

Lotus owned the British Grand Prix.

Five teams showed for this years British Grand Prix at Steve’s marvelous rendition of the Silverstone circuit. Team managers chose only to run one car resulting in a sparse field of competitors.

Peterson started on pole with Lauda beside him. Hunt and Walker shared the second row with Scheckter in the dark blue Tyrrell Elf behind them. Peterson bolted off the starting line and never looked back. Hunt, in the white Hesketh, passed Lauda, in the Red Ferrari and shadowed Peterson Black and Gold Lotus throughout the first lap.

During the second lap, Lauda made a failed run on Peterson and was passed by Walker as Hunt slipped back to fourth. Peterson remained untouchable.

The last lap saw Peterson extend his lead while Lauda, Hunt, and Walker fought for second place. Peterson easily claimed the win. Walker was victor of the, sometimes 3-wide, battle for second place. Lauda beat Hunt in a drag race down the front straight to place third. Race details follow:

1st Tom V. (R. Peterson) 80/20/40/140/6 W**
2nd Ray G. (D. Walker) 60/40/40/140/6 S
3rd Den H. (N. Lauda) 60/40/40/140/6 S
4th Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/20/160/6 S
5th Chuck H. (J. Scheckter) 60/40/40/140/6 S

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2025 Monaco

A Happy Day for Ferrari

We had not visited the classic Monaco circuit since 2017. Only three teams answered the call to race at the Monaco GP this year.

Maki’s Walker held the poll position at the start sharing the first row with Ferrari’s Lauda. Fushida, in the#36 Maki, and Miller in the #38 Parnelli occupied the second row. The final row was filled by Andretti in the #27 Parnelli and Regazzoni in the #11 Ferrari.

Walker took an early lead and was closely shadowed by Lauda. Regazzoni meticulously weaved his way through the pack and into 3rd. Lauda passed Walker and was first through the tunnel and down the long back straight. Walker attempted to regain the lead in the last corner and crashed out of the race! Luckily he escaped injury and only his pride was hurt.

Lauda started the second lap with an insurmountable lead. Fushida, the remaining Maki driver, pressured Regazzoni for second place, but slipped back and then spun-out in the corner leading to the tunnel. Ferrari finished the second lap holding both 1st and 2nd positions. Andretti set his sites on Regazzoni.

1st Den H. (N. Lauda) 80/40/40/140/5 S **
2nd Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 60/40/40/140/5
3rd A.J. (E. Miller) 60/40/40/140/5 S
4th Ray R. (Fushida) 40/40/40/160/5 S
5th A.J. (M. Andretti) 60/40/40/140/6 S
CRS Ray G. (D. Walker) 60/40/40/160/5 S

I hope you can join us on 7 May 2025 for our inaugural race at Zolder (another fantastic track recreated by Steve K.). Thanks and be seeing you at the races!

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2025 Kyalami

Ferrari’s Folly Lead to a Lotus Victory

Eight teams met in South Africa for this years race at Kyalami fielding 8 cars. Lotus driver Peterson sat on the pole and shared the first row with Ferrari’s Lauda. Walker and Fittapaldi followed in the second row. Andretti and Evans occupied the third row. The final row was held by an anxious Hunt in the #24 Hesketh and Reutemann in the #7 Brabham.

Peterson jumped off the startline and held an early lead. Lauda pursued followed closely by Evans in the blue #35 Maki. The Brabham moved from the last position heading for the front.

Lauda spurred his Ferrari and passed Peterson taking the lead and earning a bonus point for being the first to finish lap one. Andretti and Reutemann increased pressure on Walker in a tense battle for third place.

Lauda pushed the Ferrari in an uncharacteristically reckless manner and the abused vehicle began to falter.  Peterson took advantage of Lauda’s negligence to re-capture the lead and gain the second lap’s bonus point. After winning the battle for third, Andretti set his sights on Lauda. Hunt began moving up.

The third and final lap was dominated by Peterson in the Lotus. Lauda failed to fend off Andretti and Hunt. Hunt raced down the front straight ahead of Andretti to secure second place.

Race details follow:

1st Tom V. (J. Ickx) 80/20/40/140/6 W*
2nd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 40/40/40/160/6 S
3rd A.J. (M. Andretti) 60/40/40/160/5 S
4th Den H. (N. Lauda) 80/40/20/160/5 S **
5th John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 40/40/40/160/6 S
6th Dave M. (C. Reutemann) 40/60/40/160/5 S
7th Ray R. (B. Evans) 40/60/60/140/6 S
8th Ray G. (D. Walker) 60/40/40/160/5 S

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2025 Buenos Aires

McLaren LeadsTeam Championship but Fails To Win Race

Five teams appeared in this season inaugural race at Buenos Aires. Ferarri’s Luada held the pole and was accompanied in the first row by Hesketh’s Lunger. The second row was occupied by Peterson in the Lotus and Hunt in another Hesketh. The remaining Lotus of Ickx and Ferrari of Regazzoni secured the third row while both McLarens (Fittapaldi and Mass) held the last row. Two Maki’s were late to the grid and entered the race from the pits.

Lauda jumped out front and had a substantial lead entering Curva Numero Uno. The lotus’ consolidated their positions behind Lauda. Fittipaldi began fighting his way through the pack.

The field condensed going through the more technical part of the track. Peterson caught Lauda and threatened to take the lead, but would soon be haunted by brake issues that would take him out of contention. Fittipaldi cut his way through the Heskeths and moved into 3rd place.

Lauda and Peterson raced side-by-side, but Lauda got the better of Peterson going through the Curva de Parga Horquilla and finished the lap in the lead. Hunt challenged Fittapaldi for 3rd. Unlike his partner Lauda, Regazzoni had a bad day and skidded before entering the long front straight and fell far behind the pack (and his luck did not improve after that).

During the second lap, Lauda attempted to extend his lead while Peterson fell back as his brakes began to fade. Fittapaldi smelled blood in the water and he passed  Peterson and set Lauda in his sites. Hunt tailed Fittapaldi.

Lauda pushed his #12 Ferrari to the limit and finished the second lap with a tremendous lead, but his car was showing signs of wear. Fittapaldi and Hunt continued the joust for 2nd place. Regazzoni spunout in the same corner he skidded in during the previous lap securing last place.

Hunt began to fall off pace and Ickx passed him. Fittapaldi began reeling in Lauda.

Fittapaldi caught Lauda and tried to take the lead going into Parga, but he spunout! Lauda retook the lead and won the race. Fittapaldi recovered in time to hold second place. There was a three-way drag race between Hunt, Mass, and Walker. Walker took 3rd followed by Ickx (who had sprung out from behind the dragsters), and Mass.

Although Ferrari’s Lauda won the race, Team Mclaren earned enough points to start the season in first place.

Race details follow:

1st Den H. (N. Lauda) 80/40/20/160/5 S **
2nd John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 40/60/20/160/6 S
3rd Ray G. (D. Walker) 60/40/40/160 S
4th Tom V. (J. Ickx) 40/40/40/160/5 W
5th John H. (J. Mass) 40/40/20160/6 S
6th Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/20/160/6 S
7th Ray G. (H. Fushida) 40/40/40/160/5 S
8th Tom V. (R. Peterson) 40/60/40/160/5 S
9th Steve K. (B. Lunger) 60/40/20/160/5 S
10th Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 60/40/20/160/5

The second race of the season is on 5 February 2025 at Kyalami. See you at the races!

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2024 Nurburgring

Italian Team Triumphs at the German Grand Prix

Ferrari’s Lauda held pole position ahead of seven other drivers at the start of this year’s German Grid Prix at Nerburgring. BRM’s Pescarolo shared the front row with Lauda. Hunt and Beltoise secured the second row followed by Regazzoni and Andretti. Schenken and Reutermann filled out the field in the last row.

Pescarolo took an early lead, but was soon eclipsed by Lauda and Hunt. Andretti clawed his way into 5th.

Lauda and Hunt battle for the lead. Andretti threatened the BRMs. Schenken crashed in the Halzenbackbogen turn, but escaped serious injury.

Hunt pushed his car hard and crossed the start finish line ahead of Lauda gaining the first lap bonus point. Lauda got by Hunt and took charge in the second lap. Andretti moved up to fourth with Regazonni hot on his heals.

Lauda extended his lead and was first across the start finish line to gain the second lap’s bonus point. Hunt began to slow. Andretti damaged his engine and pulled into the pits to end his day. Reutermann began charging his Brabham through the field.

Lauda dominated the third lap with his Ferrari and completed the race far ahead of the pack. Pescarolo finished second followed by Reutermann. Regazzoni squeezed by Hunt to finish fourth. Race details follow:

1st Den H. (C. N. Lauda) 80/40/40/140/6 S*
2nd Ray R. (H. Pescarolo) 80/40/20/140/5 S
3rd Dave M. (Reutermann) 40/40/60/160/5 S
4th Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 60/40/40/140/5 S
5th Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/20/160/6 S*
6th Ray R. (J-P. Beltoise) 80/40/40/140/5 S
DNF Adam J. (M. Andretti) 40/60/40/160/5 N
CR1 Dave K. (T. Schenken) 40/60/40/160/5 S

Note: Due to a mix-up, Reutermann drove an orange March instead of the usual white Brabham.

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Race Report: Speed Circuit 2024 Monaco 1970 v2

Team Surtees Dominated the Streets of Monaco!

Five teams and a total of ten drivers participated in this season’s Monaco Grand Prix. Teams Surtees and Ferrari occupied the first two rows of the grid and they battled ferociously throughout the race. Scheckter and Edwards started on the third row followed by Beltoise and G. Hill. Pescarolo and Hunt filled out the last row.

Lauda got to the inside of Mass, but he could not hold the lead position and he was soon passed by both Mass and Pace. Pace took the lead from his teammate Mass. Mass stayed behind Pace on the straights and slip streamed him throughout the race.  Scheckter put pressure on the Regazzoni.

 

Luada tried to breakup the Surtees drivers, but he kept getting forced off the racing line. Hunt developed engine trouble and quickly fell out of contention.

 

Scheckter and G. Hill passed Regazzoni. Team Surtees began to extend their lead. Pace was first across the start finish line for the first lap.

Team Surtees maintained their lead. G. Hill slipped by Lauda and into 3rd.

Pace and Mass gained an insurmountable lead through the tunnel. Lauda and G. Hill battled for third place.

Regazzoni blundered, mis-shifted, and lost two positions. Scheckter spun-out in Virage De La Rascasse. Pace finished first followed by Mass. Lauda managed to get around G. Hill to finish third. Congratulations to Team Surtees’ manager Tom V.!

Race details follow.

1st Tom V. (C. Pace) 40/60/40/160/5 S*
2nd Tom V. (J. Mass) 60/40/40/140/5 S
3rd Den H. (C. N. Lauda) 60/60/20/160/5 S
4th Mike C. (G. Hill) 40/60/60/140/5 N
5th Ray R. (J-P. Beltoise) 40/60/60/140/5 S
6th Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 60/40/40/160/4 N
7th Steve K. (I. Scheckter) 40/40/40/160/5 S
8th Mike C. (Edwards) 40/60/60/140/4 N
9th Ray R. (H. Pescarolo) 40/40/60/140/5 S
10th Steve K. (J. Hunt) 40/40/40/160/6 S

Next race is scheduled for 19 June 2024 at Brands Hatch. See you all at the race.