TWF1: Surfers Nightmare

For the next round of the TWF1 championship the field took a trip down under to the challenging 'Surfers Paradise' circuit in Australia. Very soon it would be obvious that this circuit was probably the hardest one on the entire schedule. A plethora of dangerous, chicanes and few simple corners meant that is was fairly guaranteed that accidents would be plentiful.

This proved to be the case as drivers struggled even in qualifying to get a legal, and clean, lap in. Several drivers being forced to record 'zero' times and start at the back of the field. This brought up some intruiging questions, not least of which was, "How would these quicker drivers cope forcing their way through the slower cars on a circuit with few chances to pass?".

More importantly, was just how many drivers would finish, and would we get through the first chicane without incident. Amazingly the field did get through the chicane with minimal problems, there was some touching and newcomer Lima almost crashed after damaging Costa's McLaren.

The field also got through the second chicane with minimal problems but approaching T3 Hocq had a huge moment all on his own. Unfortunately Langford spun in sympathy and with a badly timed technical hitch there was chaos approaching the corner. Langford, Hocq, Scott, Marot and Blackmore all ended up with contact and damage to a lesser or greater extent.

By the end of the lap two of those drivers were in the pits for new rear wings, Scott having removed hers near the end in a mistake on her own. All drivers, however, managed to finish that first lap with some drivers making up noticeable places. John Wallace making rapid progress heading from the back of the grid towards top 10, Tallini, Leo Menegucci and Shazy Ahmed all picked their way through the early incidents to make good progress.

The first retirement happened on lap 3 when Eric after an incident with Tallini into T1. The latter losing a spot to Corrado who promptly retired on the next lap. Meanwhile up front Rouke was having to fend off.. of all things a Renault RS01. Mike Perray driving out of his skin was hanging on and pressurising he leader while Bret Metcalf looked secure in third ahead of Neto.

Of the next few laps the number of drivers walking back to the pits steadily increased. Bret and Neto dropping out while running third, Katier Dropping out just after followed by Costa. In fact Costa retired before Katier but after three pitstops she was well behind the McLaren driver.

The pitlane was almost as busy as the track Hocq pitting 4 times before 10 laps had been completed and by lap 17, there had been an incredible 25 pitstops. Considering a TWF1 car doesn't need to stop this shows the level of damage this tricky track was causing.

By this point, Perray, despite tweaking his steering was into the lead and steadily pulling away from Rouke. Rouke was under no pressure, however, 4 drivers dropped out of third place leaving Patrick Dobner to inherit the place. Dobner in turn was under no pressure as Corrado appeared to be struggling. Timo was catching him quickly but after a few laps running close with him Peltola became another retirement.

Up front Perray continued on his serene way but retirements continued behind him. The last car to retire was Leo Menegucci with 7 laps to go and he was classified 13. That meant that over half the field retired from this race where the challenge was presented very much by the track.

Perray, Rouke and Dobner were the best examples of 'To finish first, first you have to finish' as they rounded out an impressive podium

Driver of the day much go to the former, Perray dragging the reluctant RS01 teapot to a fantastic and well deserved win.