Only teams Surtees, BRM, and Ferrari showed for this year’s Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari’s Lauda started on pole leading the six car field. Pace also sat on the first row followed by his teammate Mass and Beltoise. Pescarolo and Regazzoni filled the final row.
During the opening moments of the race, Pace, Lauda, and Mass passed Pescarolo. Lauda moved into the lead for a time.
The Ferrari and Surtees drivers battled for the lead for most of the first lap leaving the BRMs behind.
Pace and Mass slipped stream each other working as a team. Mass was first to complete the initial lap. Regazzoni’s Ferrari experienced engine trouble and began to drop back. Pace also lost some engine power, but continued to stay in Mass’ draft. Lauda chased the Surtee’s machines.
During the second lap, team Surtees extended their lead. Lauda tried to close the gap between him and the leaders. Regazzoni unsuccessfully tried to fend off the BRMs. Mass once again was first to complete a lap.
As the final lap progressed, the BRMs surpassed Regazzoni. Mass’ ride ran out of wear and Lauda passed him. Although Lauda closed the gap, he could not pass Pace before Pace was able to win the race.
Race details follow:
1st Tom V. (C. Pace) 40/40/40/180/5 W 2nd Den H. (C. N. Lauda) 60/40/20/160/6 W 3rd Tom V. (J. Mass) 40/40/40/160/5 W** 4th Ray R. (J-P. Beltoise) 60/40/40/180/4 S 5th Ray R. (H. Pescarolo) 40/40/40/180/4 S 6th Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 40/40/20/160/6 S
Two Brits Led the British Grand Prix But Only One Finished.
Five teams and 10 drivers filled out the grid of the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch. Teams included Maki led by rookie manager Jon. Embassy’s G. Hill held the pole position and shared the front row with BRM’s driver Pescarolo. The number two Embassy and BRM drivers held the second row. Followed by Keizan and Hunt. Maki’s Ganley sat on the inside of the fourth row with Lauda beside him. Scheckter and Regazzoni secured the last row of the grid.
Hill Blasted past Pescarolo to take an early lead. Hunt struggled to gain ground.
Team Hesketh drivers worked together and moved up second and third place while the Ferrari struggled in the back of the pack. Cars were three wide heading down the front straight as they completed the first lap.
Hill completed the first lap in the lead and gained a bonus point closely followed by Hunt and Scheckter. During the second lap, the Ferrari’s started move up, but Regazzoni spun out while avoiding a collision. Then the Team Maki dropped out of the race. Team Hesketh took the lead.
Hunt extended his lead and pushed his car to its limits. Lauda began moving up through the pack. Hill kept his sites on Hunt.
Hunt stayed out front and finished lap two with a formidable lead. The BRMs fell further back. Lauda pressed forward. Hill waited to make a move.
The third lap turned into a battle for the lead between the two British drivers, Hunt and Hill.
Then Hunt broke his car at Sterlings corner and was out of the race. Hunt moved into second, but could not catch Hill. Hill won the race far ahead of the other competitors for team Embassy’s first win! Congratulations Mike.
Race details follow:
1st Mike C. (G. Hill) 80/40/40/140/5 S* 2nd Den H. (C. N. Lauda) 40/60/40/160/5 S 3rd Mike C. (Edwards) 80/20/40/140/5 S 4th Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 40/60/40/140/5 S 5th Steve K. (I. Scheckter) 60/40/20/160/5 S 6th Ray R. (J-P. Beltoise) 40/60/60/140/5 S 7th Ray R. (H. Pescarolo) 40/40/60/140/5 S DNF (eng) Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/40/160/5 S DNF Jon B. (H. Ganley) 60/40/40/160/5 S DNF Jon B. (E. Keizan) 40/40/40/160/5 S
The next race is the German Grand Prix and its scheduled for 31 July 2024. See you at the races.
Only four teams turned out for April’s race at Jarama and each fielded two drivers. Mass sat on pole with Fittapaldi beside him. Pace, the series leader and Lauda occupied the second row followed by the two Hesketh drivers Hunt and Scheckter. Regazzoni and Hulme filled out the last row.
Lauda, in the #12 Ferrari, took on both Surtees drivers, Mass and Pace. The yellow and blue cars of Team Surtees held the lead. Reggezoni in the #11 Ferrari quickly advanced through the pack. Hesketh and McClaren driver began a bitter struggle that lasted most of the race.
Lauda gained the lead through the Ascari only to loose it to a Fittapaldi who surge ahead for a time. Mass began to experience brake trouble and fell back.
Lauda regained the lead and completed the lap just ahead of Pace. Pace’s machine had superior acceleration and top-speed that he used to great effect down the long straight. Although far behind, Hunt prepared for a charge in the second lap. The Team McLaren manager singled to his drivers to conserve wear and save their tires for the final lap.
The second lap was characterized by the Ferrari drivers chasing Pace. Pace used tactics to keep Lauda off the optimal racing line preventing him from passing. Meanwhile, the aggressive Hunt was surprised and frustrated by Team McLaren’s conservative driving strategy.
This time Pace was first to complete the lap with Lauda on his heels. Regazzoni looked secure in 3rd. The previously stymied Hunt finally broke through the McLaren wall!
The Hesketh was also faster than the Ferraris down the straight and Hunt began to make up time. The Surtees and Ferrari cars were also showing signs of wear depletion and slowing down. Although still pressured by Lauda, Pace held the lead.
Pace and Lauda raced side-by-side pushing their machines to the limit. Hunt gained on Regazzoni. The McLarens made little to no progress.
Then Lauda lost control and spun in the Tunel, that last corner of the race! Pace pulled away for the win. Regazzoni and then Hunt passed the Lauda. Regazzoni took 2nd place just ahead of Hunt.
Race results follow:
1st Tom V. (C. Pace) 60/60/20/160/5 S* 2nd Den H. (C. Regazzoni) 60/40/40/140/5 N 3rd Steve K. (J. Hunt) 60/40/40/160/5 S 4th Den H. (N. Lauda) 60/40/40/140/6 N* 5th AJ H. (E. Fittipaldi) 60/40/20/160/6 S 6th AJ H. (D. Hulme) 60/40/20/160/6 S 7th Steve K. (I. Scheckter) 60/40/40/160/5 S DNF (Brakes) Tom V. (J. Mass) 80/40/20/140/5 S
The next race is at Monaco and is scheduled for 29 May 2024.
Record Number of Spin-outs Lead to a Photo Finish at the Glen
The final race of the 13th Speed Circuit season took place at the US Grand Prix held at the Watkins Glen circuit. After the tragic loss of his teammate Cevert, this season’s champion, Jackie Stewart, opted not to race. Den managed team Brabham in Terry’s absence with mixed results. Rookie manager Tom V. took charge of STP March for their first race of the season.
A total of 8 drivers filled out the grid with Fittipaldi in the JPS Lotus on pole position. Galli and Beltoise also occupied the front row. Brabham, Hesketh, and Shadow teams held the second row while STP March and Martini Techno started in the last row.
Fittapaldi and Galli launch from the starting line and dueled for the lead. Beltoise in the white and red #13 BRM tried to hold off Reutemann, Purly, and Oliver who chased him 3-wide through the Club House Esses.
The black #1 Lotus took the lead with the Williams, Hesketh, Shadow, and BRM machines in hot pursuit. Beltoise slipped back to 6th place. Fittipaldi crossed the start/finish line just ahead of Purley to pickup a bonus point.
Fittapaldi and Purly raced side-by-side for most of the second lap. Beltoise continued to fall back while Jarrier began to move up. The four lead cars were side-by-side and nose to tail blasting out of the Chute!
Purly pulled ahead of Fittapaldi going down the Back Straight. Then, while entering the Speed Trap, Fittapaldi made the first of many spin-outs. Purly gained an impressive lead through the Fast Bend, but then inexplicable spun-out in the 90 Hard Right. Fittapaldi had fallen all the way back to 6th and his tires were wearing thin.
Purly righted his car and was first across the line to start the 3rd and final lap, but instead of having a comfortable lead he was facing a tough fight. Then the JPS Lotus spun-out in the 90 Hard Right. Amon got around Reutemann and was in 3rd place. Galli maneuvered to the inside and captured the lead from Purly.
Next, Fittapaldi spun-out in the Esses. Reutemann tucked in behind Amon, stressed his engine, and bolted into second place going down the Front Straight. He then attempted to take the inside lane going through the outer loop, a bold move that would have placed him in the lead, but he spun-out instead ruining his chances for a podium finish.
Purly’s race car was spent and he could not hold off Amon. Galli and Amon battle for the lead. The Techno was tuned with a higher top-speed, but the Williams stayed just ahead. Reutemann had lost momentum and slipped back to 6th and barely managed to fend off Beltoise.
The race ended in a photo finish between Galli and Amon with Galli taking the win for Williams. Purly took 3rd followed by Oliver. Race details follow:
1st Travis (N. Galli) 60/40/20/160/6 S 2nd Dave M. (C. Amon) 40/40/40/180/5 S 3rd Steve (D. Purly) 60/40/20/180/6 S 4th AJ (J. Oliver) 60/40/40/160/5 S 5th Tom V. (J.P. Jarrier) 40/60/20/160 S 6th Terry C {Den} (C. Reutemann) 60/40/40/160/5 S 7th Ray R. (J. Beltoise) 60/40/40/160/5 S 8th John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 60/60/20/160/5 S
Thanks for everyone who participated in our 13th season of Speed Circuit. The 14th season is scheduled to begin in January 2024 simulating the 1974 F1 championships.
Sadly, we bid a fond farewell to Terry and will truly miss his presence at the racing table.
Six teams attended the British Grand Prix at Silverstone this year. Amon sat on pole in his red number 17 Martini Techno. Galli joined him in the second row in a dark green and red Williams, the only car in the field setup with weak down-force. The season points leader, Stewart, shared the second row with Beltoise. The rising British star Hunt started on the third row with the ever tenacious Reutemann. The engines roared and they were away in a flash.
Stewart drove like a man possessed and pushed his blue number 3 Elf to an early lead. Williams slipped into second. Reutemann got around Hunt while flying through Beckett’s Corner.
The contest’s theme was set early. Stewart and Galli pulled away from the pack and appeared to be in a private race. Stewart was first to complete the lap 1. Reutemann fought his way past Amon. Hunt slipped by Beltoise and battled with Amon.
During the lap 2 Stewart and Galli extended their lead and once again Stewart was first across the finish line for the bonus point. Hunt got around Amon and trailed closely behind Reutemann who showed him no quarter.
During lap 3 the unthinkable happened. Hunt exited Beckett’s corner at high speed, out-braked Reutemann going into Chapel Curve, and then lost control resulting in a terrifying crash. Later in Hospital, Hunt claimed he felt something just, “let go”. Doctors cut the interview short, but team manager Steve agreed that the most likely cause of the incident as a broken suspension. Hunt’s injuries are severe and he may be out for the rest of the season.
While exiting Maggot’s Curve, Stewart made a dreadful error and gave away the inside position to Galli. Galli immediately capitalized on Stewart’s mistake and captured the lead going down the Hanger Straight.
Stewart tried to recapture the position he had held for most of the race, but the Elf was spent and Galli held the inside advantage. Galli won in an exciting photo finish with Stewart beside him. Reutemann fended off Amon and finished second.
Race details follow:
1st Travis (N. Galli) 60/20/40/160/6 W 2nd Den (J. Stewart) 80/40/20/160/5 S** 3rd Terry (C. Reutemann) 60/40/40/160/5 S 4th Dave M. (C. Amon) 80/40/40/140/5 S 5th Ray R. (J. Beltoise) 60/60/40/140/5 S CR4 Steve (J. Hunt) 60/60/40/180/4 S
Note: Special thanks to Terry for hosting the race at his house.
Stewart who was suffering from a stomach virus was not able to attend the race and his teammateCevert had to fill the top spot at Elf Tyrrell. Rookie manager Dave K. took charge of Team Surtees.
Fittipaldi put his #1 black Lotus on pole. Cevert shared the front row with Fittapaldi. Shadow and Brabham occupied the second row. Pace made his season debut in the Surtees and shared the 3rd row with a very eager James Hunt.
Fittipaldi held on to the lead at the start of the race. Cevert pressured Fittapaldi. Hunt gained two positions early on.
Cevert made a bold move to pass Fittapaldi in the corner before the front straight and crossed the finish line ahead of him to end the first lap.
During the second lap, Cevert tried to pull further ahead, but Fittapaldi stayed close behind. Reutmann also kept Hunt at bay.
Cevert started the third and final lap in the lead. Oliver built momentum, but then spun his Shadow in the Courve du Calvaire dashing his hopes for the race. Pace took advantage of Oliver’s misfortune and passed him. Then Fittapaldi spun in the Virage de la Hovette falling out of the second position.
Cevert held the lead until the end claiming his first victory of the season. Hunt defeated Reutmann’s defense and took second place. Reutmann shared the podium in the third spot. Oliver and Pace had a drag race down the front straight with Pace coming out on top.
Race details follow:
1st Den (F. Cevert) 80/40/20/160/5 W** 2nd Steve (J. Hunt) 60/60/40/180/4 S 3rd Terry (C. Reutemann) 80/40/40/160/4 S 4th John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 80/40/40/160/4 S 5th Dave K. (C. Pace) 40/60/40/160/5 W 6th AJ (J. Oliver) 60/40/40/180/4 S
Note: this was the first recorded win for a weak down-force setup car.
Monjuic hosted eight teams this year. Shadow’s Oliver (#21) held pole position sharing the first row with Elf’s Stewart (#3). The second row was occupied by contenders Reutmann (#16) and Fittipaldi (#1). Galli (#19) and Von Opel (#28) filled the third row. The final row included Hunt (#26) and Beltoise (#13).
Stewart got the jump on Oliver and led through the first corner. Initially, the rest of the pack stayed in a tight formation.
Stewart and Oliver battled for the lead. Oliver made a move, but lost control of the Shadow going into La Pergola. Galli began reeling in Stewart. Meanwhile, Hunt weaved his way to the 5th position.
Galli stayed glued to Stewart looking for an opening. Oliver closed in on the leaders, but spun-out again. Hunt passed Fittapaldi avoided the spinning Shadow and secured 3rd.
The second lap heated up as Fittapaldi and Hunt battled for third place and Stewart and Galli dueled for first. Galli’s Williams began to fade just as Stewart pushed the Elf through Sant Jordi.
Stewart began to build separation. Hunt had fallen back to fourth, but rebounded by making a series brilliant moves in the El Anulo de Miramar, Rosseleda, and Font Del Gat, ultimately moving into second.
Stewart led the third and final lap finishing in first place for the third race in a row. Hunt finished 2nd, and Fittapaldi 3rd. Race details follow:
1st Den (J. Stewart) 80/40/20/160/5 S** 2nd Steve (J. Hunt) 60/40/40/160/5 S 3rd John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 60/40/20/160/6 S 4th Travis (N. Galli) 60/20/40/160/6 W 5th Terry (C. Reutemann) 60/40/40/160/5 S 6th Dan (R. von Opel) 60/40/40/160/5 7th AJ (J. Oliver) 80/40/20/160/5 8th Ray R. (J. Beltoise) 60/40/40/160/5 S
Use normal speed circuit rules with the following variations.
Teams
If six or less players attend a race, then each player should field 2 cars. If 7 or more players are present, then the players must agree whether 2 cars are allowed. A player may always choose to only field 1 car.
Skill Points.
Each team is assigned 2 skill points per lap. For example at the beginning or a 3 lap race a team would be assigned 6 skill points. Players use skill points instead of rolling a die in most cases. Players decide before rolling dice whether or not to use a skill point. Points do not need to be pre-assigned to a specific team member.
Car Construction.
When a player controls more than one driver he must assign 5 build points to one driver 4 to the other.
Dice Rolls.
Instead of rolling1d6 on tables roll 2d6. Higher rolls are always better. All tables have been adjusted to reflect the changes.
Advantage or Disadvantage.
When rolling with Advantage or Disadvantage roll 3d6 instead of 2. For Advantage add the highest 2 dice. For Disadvantage add the lowest 2 dice. In both cases ignore the 3rd die.
Down Force Settings (for winged cars).
Before assigning build points the player must choose the downforce of each car and use the corresponding row on the Performance Chart. The player must choose one of the following settings for each of their cars independently:
Down Force
Advantage
Disadvantage
Normal
None.
None.
Strong
Chance Table, Testing Brakes
Exceeding Acceleration and Top Speed
Weak
Exceeding Acceleration and Top Speed
Chance Table, Testing Brakes
Grid Order.
There are 4 grid groups. Cars in a lower numbered grid group will be placed on the starting ahead of cars in a higher numbered grid.
Step 1: Place all cars in a grid group based on their starting speed:
Start Speed
Grid Group
80mph
2
60mph
3
40mph
4
Step 2: Starting with cars in group 4, players may spend 1 wear point to move a car into the next lower numbered grid group. A car may only move down one grid from its starting group.
Step 3: Starting with the lowest numbered grid group containing cars, place cars on grid starting positions. If there is more than one car in a group, then the players roll 2d6 for each car. A player may spend a skill point to roll with Advantage. The car with the highest roll result is placed on the grid first. Tied cars will continue to roll off until the tie is broken. Spent wear and skill point are not available for the race.
Late Breaking.
To avoid a collision or slow down for a corner, a player may choose to reduce his written speed before moving. The speed reduction takes place in the space before the collision would occur or before a corner is entered. Consult the Deceleration Chart and add 20 to the total amount the car is over its Max Deceleration. If the player chooses not to slow down to avoid a collision, then use the normal collision rules.
Pass Through.
When all lanes are blocked on a straightaway, instead of a collision a player may attempt to pass through one of the squares containing another vehicle. If not blocked, then the passing player may spend 1 wear or roll on the Pass Through Table. The player may spend a skill to roll with advantage.
The player being passed through may allow or attempt to block the pass through. If the player attempts to block, then the passing player may call off the passing attempt or continue. If the passer continues, then both players must roll on the Pass Through Table with Disadvantage (roll 3d6 add lowest 2). You may spend one skill point to nullify the Disadvantage.
Pass Through Table
2D6
Passer
Blocker
7-12
Successful Pass.
No effect
3-6
Spinout.
Spinout
2
Spinout and use one wear.
Spinout and use one wear
Corner Acceleration.
Players may accelerate a car starting on the last space of a corner (the last space with a speed limit). Cars starting in a corner, but not in the last space of a corner, may not accelerate. Cars that spin in a corner may accelerate using start speed on their next turn, even if they are not on the last space of the corner. Cars starting in the last space of a corner are not impacted by the space’s speed limit.
Long Tracks
If 1 lap of a track is equal to or exceeds the length of an average 3-lap race and one lap is planned, then calculate Wear and Skill points as if the race was 3-laps. This rule applies to tracks like Steve’s realistically long Nurbergring.
Scoring
During a race, the first car to complete the 1st lap receives a bonus point. The first car to complete the 2nd lap also scores a bonus point. All cars that complete a race score points. Cars that do not finish the race do not score points (unless they earned bonus points for leading laps 1 or 2). If 12 or fewer cars start a race use the following formula to determine finishing points: 1st = Number of Cars +3; 2nd = Number of Cars +1; 3rd the Number of Cars -2; 4th = Number of Cars -3; 5th = the number of cars -4; etc. Continue this pattern. If more than 12 cars start a race, then use 12 for the Number of Cars in the above formula. Cars finishing beyond 12th place receive 1 point. If an odd number of cars below 12 start a race, round down to the next even number. If less than 6 cars score using 6 cars. Use the following table to score points:
Scoring Table
Place
12 or More Cars
10-11 Cars
8-9 Cars
7 or Less Cars
1
15
13
11
9
2
13
11
9
7
3
10
8
6
4
4
9
7
5
3
5
8
6
4
2
6
7
5
3
1
7
6
4
2
1
8
5
3
1
9
4
2
1
10
3
1
11
2
1
12+
1
13
1
Bonus for Lap 1/2
1
1
1
DNF or Crash
0
0
0
0
Updated Charts:
Start Speed Chart
2d6 Roll
Result
6 – 12
Successfully Exceed Start Speed by 20mph
4 – 5
Lose Grip – Set Speed to 20 mph
2 – 3
Stall – no movement this turn
Note: May spend one skill point to avoid roll. If a car stalls 2 turns in a row it is out of the race.
Acceleration Chart – roll when exceeding Acceleration Rate or Top Speed
1st “2-4” rolled
Engine Damage – lose 20 mph in both Acceleration (minimum 20 mph) and Top Speed (min 140 mph) values for duration of race, including current turn
2nd “2-4” rolled
Engine Burned Out – out of race
Note: May spend skill point to avoid roll. Strong Downforce rolls with Disadvantage. Weak Downforce rolls with Advantage.
Deceleration Chart – roll when exceeding Deceleration Rate
MPH over max deceleration
Penalty
20
Use 1 Wear point OR Test Brakes
40
Use 1 Wear pointsAND Test Brakes OR Use 2 Wear points
60
Use 2 Wear points AND Test Brakes
80
Use 2 Wear points AND Spinout AND Test Brakes
Test Brakes
1st “2-4” rolled
Use 1 Wear point AND wear penalties for Deceleration and Cornering are doubled for duration of race.
2nd “2-4” rolled
Brakes Burned Out – out of race
Note: May spend skill point to avoid roll. Strong Downforce car rolls with Advantage. Weak Downforce rolls with Disadvantage.
Cornering Chart – roll when exceeding proper speed limit through any corner space
MPH over Speed Limit
Penalty
20
Use 1 Wear point OR roll on Chance Table
40
Use 2 Wear points OR Use 1 Wear points AND roll on Chance Table
60
Use 2 Wear points AND Spinout OR Use 2 wear points AND roll on Chance Table
80
Crash! – out of race
Chance Table
2d6 Roll
Result
8 – 12
Safely Cornered
7
Skid – Reduce Speed to 20mph under speed limit
4 – 6
Spinout
2 – 3
Crash! – out of race – roll on the Crash Chart
Note: Spend Skill Point to avoid roll. Strong down-force car rolls with Advantage. Weak down-force car rolls with Disadvantage.
Pass Through Chart
2D6
Passer
Blocker
7-12
Pass Through
No Penalty
3-6
Spinout
Spinout
2
Spinout and Use One Wear
Spinout and Use One Wear
Notes: If unblocked while passing through, use 1 Wear or consult the pass through chart. If blocking occurs, both drivers roll on the Pass Through Chart with disadvantage (one skill may be used to nullify the disadvantage).
Crash Chart – If speed under 60mph, then roll with Advantage. If speed over 100mph, then roll with Disadvantage.
2D6
Result
8 – 12
No Significant Injury
4 – 7
1 Race Injury
2 – 3
1D6 Race Injury (If 6 is rolled then the result is a Season Ending Injury and roll again. If another 6 is rolled then result is Fatal Injury.)
Notes: After missing a race, a Race Injury is reduced by 1. In order for an injured driver to race, the driver’s team must spend 1 Skill point for each point of Race Injury. If an injured driver races, then Race Injuries are not reduced and additional skill points may not be spent on the driver during the race. If an injured driver sustains additional Race Injuries, add them to the total of existing Race Injuries. Injured drivers roll with disadvantage.
Nine teams populated the Kyalami grid. Stewart in Tyrrell (#3) held the pole position and shared the front row with Hulme in the McLaren (#5), and Amon in the Martini Techno (#17). The second row featured Ickx in the Ferrari (#7), Oliver in the Shadow (#21), and Reutmann in the Brabham (#16). Beltoise in the Marlboro BRM (#13), Fittapaldi in the JPL Lotus (#1), and Hunt in the Hesketh March (#24) secured that third and final row.
The front row cars dashed off the start finish line closely followed by the Ferrari. Meanwhile, Oliver mis-shifted and spun the Shadow’s tires resulting in a poor start. The field squeezed though Crowthorne Corner and into the narrow part of the track. Amon took the lead, but lost monentum and was passed by several drivers. Fittapaldi meticulously maneuvered his Lotus through the pack and found himself beside Hulme going through Clubhouse Bend just behind Stewart the leader.
Some of the vehicles were already showing signs of stress. The BRMs brakes were malfunctioning and the Ferrari’s engine was losing power. The field was expending a large amount of were points.
Hulme and Fittapaldi were putting a great deal of pressure on Stewart. Then, Fittapaldi spun in the Esses. Stewart managed to exit the Leeukop ahead of the field gaining a substantial lead. The McLaren, Martini, and Ferrari were next out of the corner and in hot pursuit of Stewart.
Stewart maintained the lead. Hulme and Amon jockeyed for second while trying to close the gap on Stewart. Ickx, in his wounded Ferrari, struggled to stay with the leaders. Hunt, who had started in last place, began to make some progress.
Hulme pushed a little to hard and spun his McLaren in the Esses. Stewart capitalized on the disruption in the field to charge out of Leeukop Bend and extend his lead once again.
Stewart looked untouchable and unless he made a dire mistake he would win the race. The competition for position in the field escalated. Reutmann, Fittapaldi, and Amon went three wide down the front straight battling for second position. Fittapaldi seized second closely followed by Amon through Barbeque Bend. Reutmann fell back and fought Ickx fourth.
Stewart did not make a mistake and smoothly drove the Tyrrell to victory, but the race was not yet over. Amon got around Fittapaldi and secured second place. Hunt successfully executed a series of daring maneuvers through the Esses, Leekop Bend, and the Kink to blast through the field and take third place. He was closely followed by Hulme in the McLaren.
Race finish details follow:
1st Den (J. Stewart) 80/40/20/160/5 S** 2nd Dave M. (C. Amon) 80/40/20/160/5 S 3rd Steve (J. Hunt) 60/40/40/160/5 S 4th Ray G. (D. Hulme) 80/40/40/140/5 S 5th Stephen L. (J. Ickx) 60/40/40/160/5 (Eng Dam) 6th John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 40/40/40/160/6 S 7th AJ (J. Oliver) 60/40/40/160/5 S 8th Terry (C. Reutemann) 60/40/40/160/5 9th 5th Ray R. (Beltoise) 60/40/40/160/5 (Brake Dam)
Seven teams took to the grid inaugurating the Table Top Racing Club’s 13th season of Speed Circuit. The race also marked the first appearance of the UOP Shadow racing team managed by AJ. Unfortunately, Travis, last year’s champion team manager, was not present.
J. Stewart started in pole position in the Elf Tyrrell and Hulme in the Yardley McLaren shared the front row. Lotus and Shadow held the second row. The Tyrrell, McLaren and Lotus bolted at the start and were three wide down the front straight. Stewart gained an early lead. The Shadow began to have engine problems.
Hulme and Fittapaldi challenged Stewart’s position. Hulme got the upper hand and completed the first lap ahead of Stewart.
During the second lap, the McLaren and Tyrrell led the pack while exchanging positions several times. Hulme and Stewart pushed their machines to the limit.
The McLaren lost grip in the corners and began to slow. Stewart took back the lead and finished lap 2 ahead of Hulme. Fittapaldi passed Hulme and made Stewart his next target.
Hulme spun-out in Curva Numero Uno and then again later causing him to fall further back. Stewart began nursing the Tyrrell while Fittipaldi charged the Lotus gaining the first position.
Fittipaldi was not able to shake Stewart and they ended up side-by-side going into the last series of corners. Fittipaldi had the inside position and it looked like he had secured victory, but then he spun-out. Stewart maneuvered around the spinning Lotus, seized the lead and captured the win!
Fittipaldi finished 2nd followed by Reutemann in the Brabham. The Shadow’s engine gave out and Oliver was not able to finish the race.
Race details follow
1st Den (J. Stewart) 80/40/20/160/5 * 2nd John H. (E. Fittipaldi) 60/40/40/160/5 S 3rd Terry (C. Reutemann) 60/40/40/160/5 4th Steve (J. Hunt) 60/40/40/160/5 S 5th Ray R. (Beltoise) 60/40/40/160/5 6th Ray G. (D. Hulme) 60/40/40/160/5 S* DNF (Engine) AJ (J. Oliver) 60/40/40/140/6 S
Our next race is at Kyalami hope to see you there.