Legends - TWF1 Donington Report

(sorry this is late, University work first, racing second ;) ).

Technical issues struck during two entertaining races at the challenging Donington Park racing circuit.

In the Div 1 Rik Walker had his best qualifying after a slight handicap adjustment allowed him to use the improved M29 car. He was one the lead of 3 such cars lining up behind pole sitter Timo Peltola.

Timo had almost got the championship sowed up and led from his pole with Rik Walker making a poorer start and losing a place to Ronny on the run to Turn 1.

Rik made minor contact mid corner with the 'Players' M29, however, and retook the position. Feeling he gained it unfairly he returned the place as the field streamed down towards Old Hairpin.

Further back on the edge of the top 10 Berti had become the meat in a Brabham Sandwich. He got squashed by Bret and Allar and, as his BT49 became briefly airborne, he was forced off the track.

He rejoining narrowly behind Ralph and forcing Rick Stratton behind to slow early. This delay allowed Paul Langford to get alongside the bright yellow T4 Ferrari. Langford turned in a touch early, collided with him and the M29 was spinning onto the infield.

Stratton was unfortunately the first victim of technical issues and went off at the next corner as he struggled with lack of force feedback. Losing his nose, he would retire on lap 7 after struggling for a few laps.

Into the hairpin Bret and Ales had a slight collision as Bret tried to pass the dark grey Brabham. Bret lost several places as he fought to regain the track then also suffered a technical issue as he lost connection.

So at the end of lap one Peltola led from Rouke, Denis and Allar Foht. Allar had made the best start, leaping from 9th to 4th ahead of Ales.

Timo was already looking secure, but the rest of the podium was soon embroiled in an intense battle. Denis made a probably over-optermistic pass attempt on Rouke on lap 3 into Turn 1, he collided with Rouke, ran wide, and was fortunate not to lose a place straight away.

Shortly after, however, Allar was through and chasing after the Orange and Black car ahead. He tried.. and tried.. but Rouke was driving well and it took until lap 6 before he was able to pass.

By then Timo was clear and the pair would run uncontested to the flag. Rouke and Denis would have races to forget, however, as both retired by before half distance leaving Ales in Third.

Behind the drivers who were delayed early on were now making their way through the field. Rik Walker had been passing drivers at close to a rate of every other lap and was up to 7th by lap 12. Behind Paul Langford had made similar progress but as he had dropped further back with his spin, he was up to 12th and chasing Ralph hard.

Retirements then started to come thick and fast, by lap 19, 5 drivers were out and wouldn't score any points. This dropped to 10 when the battling Ronny and Roberto retired. Both crashed heavily on lap 29 after battling hard together for several laps.

Most drivers were running seconds apart on the track by now, but Fulvio and Ralph were embroiled in an intense battle. Twice they swapped places before finally on lap 34 Fulvio took the place.

Up front Peltola took a deserved win and it's believed a provisional championship. ( Last season, from memory, any penalties incurred in last race took points penalties as the licence is cleaned at the end of the season. So it's feasible to lose points ).

In Division two Simon Baggett and champion elect Eric Fulghum lined up on a M29 front row, matched by a similar pair of M29's behind. Two Renaults appeared on the grid for the first time with two new Frenchman joining the field. They lined up 5th and 8th out of a field of 11.

When the light went Green, L'il Miss superstarter was at it again, however. Yet again Kat got it all right at the start and as the field streamed towards T1 she was rapidly closing on the second and third rows on the grid from 9th.

Into T1 she was alongside Cooper's 'pig', she backed out on entry but mid corner David Pym slid wide slightly, causing Cooper and Kat to back up a little and minor contact made.

Eric had made the best start and was now leading ahead of Baggett, Pym and Cooper. Into the chicane Kat made an attempt to outbrake David. The maneuver was largely successful but unfortunately light contact was made with both cars ahead. Pym had turned in, seemingly not aware of Kat's attempt, he unfortunately spun.

Cooper was nudged slightly by the Ferrari but retained the spot without bother while Kat easily kept her car on track.

Now started a ferocious battle between V12 power and better handling cars. the FW07 of the hugely improving Sal Tallini was all over the back of the Screaming yellow car and for the next 3 laps he was unable to overcome the power deficite.

On lap 4, however, he pulled off the move of the day outbraking Scott round the outside of the chicane. She gave him the minimum of room but he calming slid his car through the gap and into fourth.

The Recovering Pym and John Wallace now had to contend with the bright yellow car. Once again Scott kept them at bay but a spin in T1 let the two recovering cars through.

Further back new driver Aymeric and Philipe were having a fun battle while up front Eric had, championship in mind, let Baggett back ahead and the two would comparitevly cruise to the finish.

John, Tallini, Martin and David were soon in their own battle. The 4 not swapping places much but running tightly together lap after lap even after Cooper had a brief off on lap 24.

Tallini unfortunatly retired, probably with technical problems on Lap 33 shortly before Scott also retired. She suffered a disconnect for unknown reasons robbing her of a secure 6th place and giving Cooper an excellent chance at second in the championship.

Eric's second place handed him the championship with the same proviso's as for Div 1.

Behind Scott got 22 points for being placed 9th after her retirement.

In Division 1, the top three are likely settled although a bat race for Ales will hand the place to Roberto.

Bret can, however, take the place after his zero points at Don he can still overhaul Berti.Third for Bret gives him equal points with Berti if the latter fails to finish better than 12th. A win for Bret gives him 205 points, 3rd for Berti gives him 206.

In Division 2, however, three drivers are battling hard for the position with Simon Baggett and Pym having outside chances.


Before dropped scores the position is :-

2 Kat Scott 186
4 Martin Cooper 165
3 David Kadlcak 157
5 David Pym 154
6 Simon Baggett 146

as such if everyone DNF's that is the finishing positions.

Both Pym and Baggett rely totally on bad results from all three ahead, and a win ( or second in Pym's case) to take second. While 8th for Kat would prevent Baggett taking second, she needs 3rd if Pym wins ( or 7th if second)

Cooper needs to finish 9th or better with Scott behind and David K less than 8 points behind. So if DK won, second would get him the place.

Scott will drop points ( the only one of the top 6 to do so ) so is effectively on 164 and thus faces the same maths as Cooper with the difference of needing to finish ahead of Cooper, if both are 9th or better.

For DK to take second he needs to get 29 points with Scott finishing 9th or worse and Cooper the same. Thus 3rd is his minimum.