Legends - TWF1 Suzuka Report

For the first time this season two drivers dropped out of the race due to a full field. This believe it or not is good news as it probably means Round 4 of the championship will have two races, one per Division.

So 31 cars qualified for the race of which 29 started the race. With so many in the field the start was likely to be a few laps of survival for many drivers before settling down and racing.

Starts were very mixed, up front wheelspin cost Rik time and at one point four cars where spread accross the track but into T1 they sorted themselves out. Ales leading from Berti and Rik Walker through the turn with the next 10 cars getting through without any incident. At the back of the field chaos reigned, however.

Monticelli, 19th and Dave Pym  were fairly slow away with Eric Fulghum making a better start behind sliding between them and creating a 3 car wall accross the track. I made a lightning start from 24th on the grid to sit behind Eric as we approached T1.  The effect of all this was seven cars in little over 3 car lengths (above) that condensed as the field ran towards the pit exit. 

Div 2 championship leader, John Wallace ( red car to right of above ) had got a run on the Ligier so as the track widened the field fanned out with four abreast and myself just behind. Then the inevitable happened, funnelled by pit exit Wallace moved left intoMonticelli.

He pushed him across my bows so I moved left in response then suddenly found the effect was for me to run out of room.  Despite hitting the brakes I bounced off Pampagnin half spun and bounced off Wallace. In a flash Wallace was out of the race while Corrado ran wide into the litter but rejoined.

A bit more jostling as the effect was the concertina the field and as others lifted in response to Mike also having a minor off sorted the field as it approached T2. The final excitement on the opening lap happened at the infamous Degner. Eric had gone off in Dunlop and thus rejoined off the pace and thus when Myself and Marcus arrived her was 20mph down on our pace. In braking to avoid Eric's overly slow car approaching Degner I spun and Marcus was fortunate to avoid me.

At the end of Lap one therefore Ales led from Berti and Rik Walker. Nigel Metcalf and Paul Langford rounded out the Div 1 top 5. Martin Cooper was the early Div 2 leader from two Dave's, Eric and Corrado. 

Up front the lead three settled down but behind there were several intense battles already developing in a race that was expected to see plenty more incident. Four cars had retired already and the next to see trouble would be fifth placed Rouke.

He was involved in one of the intense battles with the two Metcalfs until, at the end of lap 5, he lost it under braking for the chicane. Nigel couldn't avoid him and hit the Brabham firmly in the sidepod and rear suspension, after a slow lap he retired.

The Main battle at this stage were for fifth between Baz, Nigel and Paul; with a second battle being led by Pampgnin just a few cars back. Also noticeable at this stage was the progress of Marcus Adams who was steadily passing cars after starting at the back of the grid.

By half distance a further three cars had retired and a fourth retired a lap later. First Costa scattered his car comprehensively against the Turn 1 armco. Then Ivor retired with an ill handling car, possibly as a result of some robust defence a few laps earlier.

Rick Stratton had been looking strong for a good finish, running 9th, he did a Costa when he missed his braking point. Finally Bento, who had spun initially a few laps earlier, collided with Raiph when trying to pass him into T1 and added his Lotus 80 to the T1 carnage.

Nigel Metcalf had also dropped well down the field as several incidents left him with an ill handling car. He would have to learn how to drive around it and threatened drivers such as Martin Cooper and myself before retiring on lap 23.

Ales was well out in front by now, leading by several seconds from Berti who was able to maintain a cushion of a couple of seconds back to Rik Walker.

Eric was leading Div 2 with Marcus Adams breathing down his neck. Gigi and David Pym rounded out the top 3.

Behind them a battle was brewing between Martin and I. His car, damaged earlier, was handling in a manner appropriate to his paintscheme. Like a pig, especially in right hand corners. I closed in and by lap 16 was right with him. Passing him for 17th in Spoon.

Lap 23 had the races 'comedy moment'. Paul Langford spun approaching the chicane. Lost his bearings and rejoined via the cut through to Dunlop. In Reality due to then re-doing half a lap he would probably not have been penalised, however because sims are 'black and white' he got a drive through costing him probably close to a minute or more and dropping him behind Martin Cooper. Corrado had a hefty off in Denger doing a 'weber' and retiring two corners later at about the same time.

As the race wound down most of the field was concentrating on the finish but Paul Langford was on a charge. With two to go he caught the struggling 'pig' and took the place between the Degners. 

Excellent win for Ales although Div 1 Driver of the day I think must go to Marcus. He finished over a minute behind the winner but had to fight through from last on the grid and do so with style and consistancy to finish just 7s behind 6th place.

Div 2 driver of the day.. I'd like to give it to myself. Not sure if that's allowed so I'll let Rick Edit this bit and give his Div 2 driver of the day here when he does the official report :).

Overall an awsome race, challenging and hard work but exciting and action packed.