Legends: Giuseppe Memorial Race

I can only add that Giuseppe was a person that never gave up on any challenge despite he was often towards the back of the pack, and this paid off cause he rarely had to retire in the races. He loved very long races as me and we teamed up in many endurance. On track I was his "harsh friend" and we raced a lot of races nose to cone with many simulator, always in a gentlemanly way. We were used to speak often in chat voice about our real life and family. He was one of the first person with which I have shared the joy for the birth of my grandson. I'll never forget him.

Ciao
Fulvio

Giuseppe was a popular driver in the sim community who sadly recently passed away. The words above are from one of his closest friends. To celebrate his life, and remember him, the legends team organised a race at the Monza Race track. This event, held in the heart of Giuseppe's home country of Italy, was a single car/fixed setup event featuring his beloved Ferrari's.

Prior to the event a 2 minutes silence was held and other drivers then said a few words.

Ray Walton: RIP Giuseppe you are always a winner in Legends

Mario Wojahn: Rest in peace Giuseppe, goodbye

Martin Cooper: sadly a legend takes the chequered flag rip Giuseppe

Antonio Wojahn: Racing with Giuseppe was always fun

Rik Walker: so long Giuseppe, we'll meet again

Rick Stratton: A good man and a great competitor. He will be missed by all. 

Rouke vd Hoek: lets have a good one for the man

Baz West: A great turn out to remember a good man, this ones for you Giuseppe

With that the drivers took their places on the grid, 26 Ferrari flat 12 engines roared into life, and the race began.

Three drivers started from the pitlane and sadly, one of them, Giuseppe's great friend Fulvio Policardi was let down by his engine and was unable to start the race.

Just on the other side of the pitlane the 26 T4's roared away and unfortunately there was some damage caused as Costa briefly spun to the right causing Baz to lift and Tallini to cannon into the back of him. Tallini, David Pym, Ray Walton all pitted early on to fix damage with Tallini and Pym unable to continue.

Meanwhile up front a battle Royale was developing. Showing spirit that would make any Italian proud Mario, Richard Walker and Mike Perray were embroiled in a tremendous battle for the Lead. By Lap three the field had settled a little and Perray led from Mario and Rik with a gap developing back to Langford and Bret. Costa was next up ahead of Bento and Antonio.

Tallini had retired after his spot when he 'did a Hamilton' as the leaders were lapping him with Rik using all the track and more as he chased the leaders hard.

The lead battle soon built up a gap but the midfield were embroiled in their own battle for fourth that was every bit as spirited as the lead one. 

The event was a timed race but halfway round lap 7 proved to be the halfway point. At this stage the leaders had pulled clear of Langford who was under pressure from Bento with Antoniio, Marting, Nigel and Costa in close attendance. Rick Stratton was rounding out the top 10 in his bright yellow Ferrari. 

As lap 8 started an almighty battle had started behind Rick. Dave Hawt finding himself under intense pressure from Marco Bret with Petra and Steve Shelley holding station a few seconds back.

Up front Rik was trying everything to get back into the lead and eventually managed it on Lap 9 while Perray continued to close the gap up to the lead pair. On Lap 11 he got past Mario with a bold move into the first chicane and passed Rik into the second chicane.

Mario started to drop back now but up front Rik quickly put pressure on Perray. This Spirited battle looked to be going down to the wire. The pair were passing, repassing and jousting like a pair of Italian Knights on thoroughbred horses. They passed, or half passed, probably half a dozen times over the closing laps.. a fitting tribute to the spirit of Guiseppe.

Probably the most notable thing about the race was the huge number of passes and battles throughout the field. The lead battle was the highlight, of course, but the spirit shown in the battles throughout the field was excellent.

Finally however, I feel it's appropriate to close with a couple of post Race Tributes from 

Ray Walton

Congratulations to Rik as the first to cross the line, an excellent victory. However, Rik you really came second as the real winner of this event has to be Guiseppe himself and I only hope that somehow he was able to look down on this occasion with a big wide Italian smile. I am personally deeply saddened by his death, but we must now stop the mourning and instead look back to the many, many good times we had racing with him, and although we will all miss him, we should now celebrate Guiseppe's life with long remembered smiles. I am honoured to have known him albeit only here on-line with Legends League. 

and Petra 

It was a wonderful event, although hampered myself, properly doped with Aspirin before the race still had pain, was dead tired as well I thought for me it was sort of duty to be there. I did not much practice either I had only 2 practice sessions before the race, but who cares about speed in such a race?

Thanks to Mario and Petra for the images. Thanks to Rick Stratton for organising the tribute and Thanks to everyone for making the event so successful.