Those little black round things, often forgotten, but vital to any racing car were a bigger factor this week than ever influencing the outcome of both races.
Mansfield was the first of the two events and when Yuriko squeezed Katier exiting Turn 2 it was clear that this was going to be a long night. Katier spun 90 degree's, slid down the track and was back racing within seconds.
So quick was her recovery that the tail of the field was still in sight entering Turn 3 and she made no contact with the wall. The first yellow of the night flew so for 4 laps the field circulated behind the pace car. On the restart and just 2 laps later, on lap 7, Katier nudged Crippy.
Again the spinning car recovered promptly.. and again the yellow flew. Katier decided to pit for a Right side tyre change as a precaution as she was so far down the field. The theory being that it would allow her to run to about lap 32 of 50 before needing to stop. Thus allowing flexibility without compromising position on the road.
The precaution probably wasn't required as time after time the field failed to go racing for more than 2 laps. By around half distance the field then started complaining about tyres. Some reporting extreme wear on their rear tyres and hot brake temps. Other drivers, perhaps not using their brakes under caution, reported no problems.
The tyre issues therefore forced others to pit and, with 7 laps to go Katier found herself leading from Jafo. One final yellow and the field was released with three to go, Reitveld unfortunatly over-accelerating for one last twist to the race.
Turned out in order to maintain position with respect to the Pace Car one has to accelerate.. accelerate too much, however, and a drive through penalty is the result. Reitveld beat Jafo to the line, in the best racing all night, but dropped to 6th with the penalty.
The field once again had tyre tactics to contend with as they moved to Rockingham. This race was a 50 lapper run without yellows and two drivers put the effort in to do race length runs.
Crippy Oh, however, advised that a stop would be required but clarified it was optional when asked. This was going to be crucial as Sulla led the field from green ahead of Suku and Suzy who were embroiled in a battle.
Behind them with a few seconds gap between each, Crippy and Jafo battled, with Yuriko and Katier also fighting just behind them.
Kiboe was looking strong just behind them in 7th with the biggest loser being Zaria who unfortunatly spun on lap one. Zaria recovered well from her initial problems and by lap 10 was the only driver improving their position.
By Lap 18, shortly after Kiboe had retired after a crash, Zaria was up to 7th but unfortunatly a mistake put her out of the race a few laps later.
The pitstops started on lap 25 and cost around 2 laps on average in time. By Lap 31 everyone had pitted.. except Jafo and Katier who now were running at the head of the field.
Sulla was a lap down comfortably ahead of Suzy and Suku. 2 laps down were Crippy and Yuriko was three. Being on new tyres, all the drivers were quicker than the lead duo, but only by 1s at best.
Sulla unlapped herself and for a while looked like she might even catch Reitveld. Her tyres soon 'went off' as her uncompromising setup and driving style wore them down. With 5 laps to go it was clear she wouldn't manage it as her times were down to 24.6 while Reitveld and Jafo were able to maintain 25.0's.
Jafo won, comfortably by 13s from Reitveld with Sulla the only unlapped runner 6s further back.
Post race some drivers said they didn't realise stops were not compulsory although most, especially Sulla, admitted they had no choice but to stop. Overall an interesting and fun race where, as Crippy put it, those who prepared for the race did best.
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