G1:GP LMP Brands Hatch

Gambles, Driving Styles and a dose of luck, bad or good, were the hallmarks of the 40 minute race around Brands Hatch.

Prior to the event several drivers commented that they felt they would need to stop twice as fuel didn't seem to be quite lasting 20 minutes. This quandry soon turned out to be influential as drivers went into the event in different mindsets.

When the Lights went green, at the 3rd time of asking due to various issues, the lead trio got away well but behind Katier made a lightning start.

Into Druids she was alongside Crippy but felt she pushed her wide so relinquished the place. (right) 

So at the end of the first Lap Yuriko led from Jafo, Crippy and Katier.  Over the first few laps the lead three quickly built up a lead over Katier who was off the pace but under little pressure from Looming behind.

Rattra was dropping back a bit behind Looming with Suzy a bit further back.

Up front the lead three became two when Yuriko had an off but she rejoined and as half distance approached was up to 3rd. By then Looming, who initially looked content to hold station behind Reitveld, had surged past on lap 11.

Two bad laps for the R8 driver dropped her further down the field but she knew she could make the distance on one stop. The stops started just short of half distance with Yuriko, Jafo and Crippy all apparantly commiting to a 2 stop strategy. 

Sulla's early running had saved her fuel and she pitted bang on half distance while Katier went another lap. Rattra had pitted on a 2 stopper too so Katier now knew another top 5 was on the cards.

Up front Jafo and Crippy continued to drive smoothly with Jafo looking unflustered out front. At this stage it seemed like they would definatly get the top two.. but the podium was less clear.

After the stops Reitveld was 6th but with Rattra likely to pit another top 5 was likely. Sulla looked like a potential winner. She was in touch with the leaders while Yuriko's recovery seemed to give her a chance at a top 3.. if she could make her fuel last.

The race turned just after half distance, however, when Suku and Sulla both 'went the same way' shortly after both had crashed on their own. Both ultimately were forced to retire with accident damage although Looming did attempt to return to the race.

The race now went through a period of stability. The front five were spread out enough for there to be no battles but some drivers were now staring to stare at their fuel gauges. Who would blink? Who would gamble?

The first to blink was Rattra, he had decided he would not last so pitted quite early, presumably to benefit from the fresh tyres in an effort to beat Katier.  Jafo and Crippy both did splash and dashes with Yuriko taking second at this stage.

Yuriko, however, was the gambler she did two slow laps, gambling on Jafo being slow enough to finish the race after 30 laps. Unfortunatly for Yuriko he didn't and crossed the line with seconds to go.

Yuriko ran out of fuel and Katier, who's slower laps had been enough to save a stop, gratefully took the place.  Interestingly Katier's mistakes probably cost her 22-23s.. and she finished about that behind Crippy.

So Jafo appears to be out and out favorite for the championship. Three straight wins and the super fast Monza to come. Monza will be interesting. The R8's are very quick in a straight line but the Panoz have a hugely powerful engine.