24 cars lined up for the opening round of the 2009 Autumn TWF1 season opener. The smooth circuit seemed to suit the Lotus 80 with it's huge amount of downforce no doubt helping the general lack of grip Mugello provided.
As a result three of the advanced Lotus' lined up on the front 4 spot's on the grid joined by the previous years Lotus 79 of Bret Metcalf in third. Behind the Lotus lockout Brabham seemed to be providing the best option with no sign of makes such as Tyrell, McLaren, Ferrari or Ligier featuring in the top 10 of the grid.
Roberto Berti led from pole with Ales Simunek and Bret Metcalf arguing over the rest of the podium. Timo Peltola joined in that battle on lap four the all four Lotus cars keeping position ahead of a tight battle between Rouke and Rik with Tony Cederholm just behind.
Division two formed a 'B' division in this race and the pace setters were David Kadlcak, Eric Fulgrum and John Wallace. Unlike the Div 1 start this was an incedent packed event with several drivers spinning early on. Amongst them were Wallace, Kadlcak and as a result Marting Cooper in his pink painted 'pig' took the early lead.
By Lap 10 Berti continued to lead the main race with Ales in second from Metcalf and Timo. In Div 2 Cooper had spun and dropped down the order and Wallace had recovered from his early off.
The Div 2 race now settled down with the main interest being the prescence of the Div1 back markers in the fray. Nigel Metcalf working his way back through the field after early troubles and Rick Stratton dragging his relunctant Ferrari around a few places behind.
On Lap 16 the complexion of the race changed, an incedent involing Timo and the Race leader handed Metcalf the Lead with Ales also benefitting to take second. Timo dropped back and a lap later would be past by Rik Walker's Brabham who seemed to have broken free of the attentions of Rouke behind.
Metcalf let to lap 24 before a Ales made it past only for him to spin twice and finish in 3rd behind the recovering Berti.
In Div2 John was untroubled with only Div 1 driver Nigel Metcalf passing him before the end of the race. Eric Fulghum and David Pym, however, were embroiled in a battle to the flag that finally went Pym's way on lap 24 possibly after the Heavy Metal Racing driver spun and lost two places.
Div 1 top three thus was Bret Metcalf in his Lotus 79 ahead of Roberti Berti and Simunek. Div 2 honors went to John Wallace from David Pym and Eric Fulghum.
Overall a very good race on a very tricky race track.
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