Virtual 1977 F1 Season - Fuji race up!

[pi314159]

Boro plans for the remainder of the season. We are planning an all out attack on the Japanese Grand Prix with a three car entry if that's okay.

Canadian Grand Prix
#28 Harry MacDonald

Japanese Grand Prix
#28 Takao Wada
#29 Kunimitsu Takahashi
#49 Albert Poon

OK. The third car for Japan will cost you 50.000.

[pi314159]

Pre-Qualifying from Mosport:

1. Guy Edwards (Kojima KE009) 1:14.582
2. Masahiro Hasemi (Kojima KE009) +0.152
3. Didier Pironi (Parnelli VPJ5) +0.286
4. Geoff Brabham (Fittipaldi F5) +0.798
5. Harald Ertl (Apollon Fly) +1.162
6. Keke Rosberg (LEC CRP 1) +1.433

7. Gijs van Lennep (McGuire BM1) +2.976
8. Harry MacDonald (Boro 001) +3.405

The Kojima drivers pass easily through pre-qualifying, followed by Didier Pironi in the second Parnelli. Then comes Geoff Brabham in the Fittipaldi, followed by Harald Ertl with a very good performance in the Apollon. Last pre-qualifyer is Keke Rosberg (LEC).

Gijs van Lennep in the terribly underdeveloped McGuire manages to outqualify one-off driver Harry MacDonald in the Boro, who had no experiance but a few Formula Super Vee races before this session.

[Samster]

You suck MacDonald, who gets outqualified by a McGuire?

[Nessafox]

Before the Japanese GP, Kojima BRM would like one small grip update.

[pi314159]

1977 Canadian GP - Qualifying:

1. Emerson Fittipaldi (Ferrari 312T2) 1:11.913
2. Niki Lauda (Ferrari 312T2) +0.087
3. Tom Pryce (McLaren M26) +0.195
4. Danny Ongais (McLaren M26) +0.326
5. James Hunt (McLaren M26) +0.349
6. Jody Scheckter (Shadow DN8) +0.463
7. Jacky Ickx (Wolf WR1) +0.515
8. Gilles Villeneuve (Ensign N177) +0.855
9. Patrick Depailler (Tyrrell P34) +0.959
10. Jochen Mass (Penske PC5) +0.991
11. Riccardo Patrese (Ligier JS7) +1.071
12. Clay Regazzoni (Brabham BT45B) +1.141
13. Carlos Pace (Tyrrell P34) +1.190
14. Carlos Reutemann (Lotus 78) +1.244
15. David Purley (Wolf WR1) +1.248
16. Tom Sneva (Penske PC5) +1.339
17. Chris Amon (Surtees TS19) +1.411
18. Mario Andretti (March 771) +1.432
19. Jean-Pierre Jarier (Lotus 78) +1.543
20. Lella Lombardi (Shadow DN8) +1.630
21. Alan Jones (March 771) +1.682
22. Rolf Stommelen (Shadow DN8) +1.691
23. Masahiro Hasemi (Kojima KE009) +1.700
24. Jean-Pierre Jabouille (Renault RS01) +1.741
25. Didier Pironi (Parnelli VPJ5) +1.756
26. Guy Edwards (Kojima KE009) +1.844
DNQ:
27. Rene Arnoux (Renault RS01) +1.921
28. Vittorio Brambilla (Ligier JS7) +2.023
29. Keke Rosberg (LEC CRP 1) +2.243
30. Geoff Brabham (Fittipaldi F5) +2.255
31. Gunnar Nilsson (Parnelli VPJ5) +2.382
32. Harald Ertl (Apollon Fly) +3.575

[DemocalypseNow]

And then watch as the Ferari's f*** up yet again and we finish with a McLaren 1-2-3...good performance by Patrese tho.

[FantometteBR]

How come this happen?

[Nessafox]

First time Kojima BRM has 2 cars in the race! So the testing work is paying off a little bit!

[Salamander]

And then watch as the Ferari's f*** up yet again and we finish with a McLaren 1-2-3...good performance by Patrese tho.

Would be a nice way to seal up the Constructors' title...

[Ataxia]

We...we actually DNQed.

Seeing as we're only 24th on the grid, I'm hitting the bottom of a few bottles of Chateau Latour...

[pi314159]

This was maybe the most chaotic race in this series so far. It started with Pryce taking the lead, while Stommelen crashed out on the first lap. Pryce's engine blew up spectacularily on lap 11, handing the lead to his teammate Hunt, followed by Fittipaldi, Ongais, Lauda and Ickx. Niki Lauda retired on lap 29 with a transmission failure. The race calmed down a little, but Renault driver Jabouille started gaining places, as well as the March drivers.

On lap 59, a series of retirements started among the front runners. Patrick Depailler and Jody Scheckter crashed out. Then Hunt retired with a broken clutch, so Danny Ongais sensationally lead the race. But only for 3 laps, before his suspension failed. The new order was Fittipaldi - Ickx - Pace, followed by the group of Andretti,Jones Jabouille and Regazzoni fighting for 4th to 7th.

The race ended with Emerson Fittipaldi winning an eventful Canadian Grand Prix, followed by Ickx, who took Wolf's first podium, Pace completing the podium, the March drivers in 5th and 6th, and Jabouille taking his and Renault's first point. The fastest lap was set by Jacky Ickx in the Wolf.

McLaren has secured the constructors championship with 148 points, while Ferrari have 129, so even if Ferrari score a 1-2-3 and no McLaren scores points, McLaren will still have more wins. Hunt can only become drivers champion if he wins at Fuji and Pryce finishes 6th or lower.

1977 Canadian GP - Race
1. Emerson Fittipaldi (Ferrari) 80 Laps
2. Jacky Ickx (Wolf) +6.0
3. Carlos Pace (Tyrrell) +8.5
4. Mario Andretti (March) +50.1
5. Alan Jones (March) +57.6
6. Jean-Pierre Jabouille (Renault) +58.5
7. Clay Regazzoni (Brabham) +1:02.4
8. Jean-Pierre Jarier (Lotus) +1:07.3
9. David Purley (Wolf) +1 Lap
10. Gilles Villeneuve (Ensign) +1 Lap
11. Chris Amon (Surtees) +1 Lap
12. Carlos Reutemann (Lotus) +1 Lap
13. Lella Lombardi (Shadow) +1 Lap
14. Guy Edwards (Kojima) +1 Lap
retired:
Danny Ongais (McLaren) 63 Laps / Suspension
James Hunt (McLaren) 60 Laps / Clutch
Jody Scheckter (Shadow) 60 Laps / Accident
Patrick Depailler (Tyrrell) 59 Laps / Accident
Riccardo Patrese (Ligier) 43 Laps / Engine
Tom Sneva (Penske) 37 Laps / Engine
Niki Lauda (Ferrari) 29 Laps / Transmission
Didier Pironi (Parnelli) 13 Laps / Transmission
Tom Pryce (McLaren) 11 Laps / Engine
Masahiro Hasemi (Kojima) 2 Laps / Gearbox
Rolf Stommelen (Shadow) 1 Laps / Accident

Fastest Lap: Jacky Ickx (Wolf): 1:12.435

[Salamander]

Goddammit. Not the best way to seal the Constructors' title, but I'll take it...

Also, that really kind of stalls Hunt's championship momentum. All Pryce really has to do is cruise around in 5th at Fuji to take the championship...

Hunt can only become drivers champion if he wins at Fuji and Pryce finishes 6th or lower.

Hunt has more wins, if they tie, Hunt wins it on countback.

[Nessafox]

whoo-hoo, 14th! that means Kojima BRM is well in the hunt for 16th in the constructors championship against Hesketh and Fittipaldi! Oh god, this is afwful...

[FantometteBR]

At least a podium here!

[tommykl]

*does a little dance*

And since Shadow didn't score, that means we're seventh overall

[pasta_maldonado]

FUUUUU!!!!

WHY IS THE BRABHAM SO SLOW?????

[SuperAguri]

Could Meritsu Racing team who made a one off appearance at the Japanese Grand Prix with last years Tyrrell 007, a Cosworth DFV engine (also probably last years) and Dunlop tyres (see we are on to a good thing here...) make an entry with Kenji Takahashi. What do you mean you never heard of him? He had several top six finishes in the Japanese F2000 series (at least in 1977...) it was him (as most of the other drivers have already been claimed or a young Satou Nakajima who has not won any races yet, but had several 2nd places...)

[pi314159]

Could Meritsu Racing team who made a one off appearance at the Japanese Grand Prix with last years Tyrrell 007, a Cosworth DFV engine (also probably last years) and Dunlop tyres (see we are on to a good thing here...) make an entry with Kenji Takahashi. What do you mean you never heard of him? He had several top six finishes in the Japanese F2000 series (at least in 1977...) it was him (as most of the other drivers have already been claimed or a young Satou Nakajima who has not won any races yet, but had several 2nd places...)

Usually, there are no customer teams, as the constructors alone make enough. But I'll make an exception here, as you have already given up Hesketh, who would have made it to the end of the season otherwise.

About the driver, don't worry. They weren't that strict with licenses that time. And I allowed that Super Vee driver at Boro for Canada, so no problem.

[Ataxia]

We...we scored. From 24th on the grid...is that even possible?

[SuperAguri]

Could Meritsu Racing team who made a one off appearance at the Japanese Grand Prix with last years Tyrrell 007, a Cosworth DFV engine (also probably last years) and Dunlop tyres (see we are on to a good thing here...) make an entry with Kenji Takahashi. What do you mean you never heard of him? He had several top six finishes in the Japanese F2000 series (at least in 1977...) it was him (as most of the other drivers have already been claimed or a young Satou Nakajima who has not won any races yet, but had several 2nd places...)

Usually, there are no customer teams, as the constructors alone make enough. But I'll make an exception here, as you have already given up Hesketh, who would have made it to the end of the season otherwise. About the driver, don't worry. They weren't that strict with licenses that time. And I allowed that Super Vee driver at Boro for Canada, so no problem.

Well I expect Meritsu racing to be slow, so slow that they might be a few seconds off the last DNPQ time. However as this is the last Japanese GP until the late 80s, I thought it should go out with a bang with a least one customer entry car.

Only found Kenji Takahashi from the the top six results that Bridgestone Japan have on the Japanese F2000 and F2 seasons. I am pretty sure I have translated Takahashi right (as manga artist Rumiko Takahashi has the same surname) but Kenji is a wild stab in the dark as it uses one old Kanji, but I am sure the Ji part is right...

[DemocalypseNow]

Only found Kenji Takahashi from the the top six results that Bridgestone Japan have on the Japanese F2000 and F2 seasons. I am pretty sure I have translated Takahashi right (as manga artist Rumiko Takahashi has the same surname) but Kenji is a wild stab in the dark as it uses one old Kanji, but I am sure the Ji part is right...

If you mean the Kenji Takahashi who used to race for Tomei Jidousha in Japanese F2, then yes, that's right.

I'm also taking a guess he actually is related to F1 Reject Kunimitsu Takahashi, becuase they were team-mates when they won the All Japan Endurance Championship in 1985 and 1986 driving a Porsche.

[pi314159]

All three Kojima cars make it into main qualifying, as well as Geoff Brabham. Keke Rosberg manages to get through pre-qualifying in LEC's last grand prix. Last pre-qualifyer is Kunimitsu Takahashi in the Boro, beating main rival Harald Ertl in the Apollon. The other two Boro cars follow in 8th and 9th, ahead of Kenji Takahashi in the 2 year old Tyrrell 007. The last three places are occupied by constant backmarkers Maki and McGuire, who both won't return in 1978 after a full season without a race start, while Apollon and Boro will continue.

1977 Japanese Grand Prix - Pre-Qualifying:

1. Masahiro Hasemi (Kojima KE009) 1:14.857
2. Brian Henton (Kojima KE009) +0.057
3. Kazuyoshi Hoshino (Kojima KE009) +0.454
4. Geoff Brabham (Fittipaldi F5) +0.718
5. Keke Rosberg (LEC CRP 1) +1.147
6. Kunimitsu Takahashi (Boro 001) +1.627

7. Harald Ertl (Apollon Fly) +1.867
8. Takao Wada (Boro 001) +2.142
9. Albert Poon (Boro 001) +2.246
10. Kenji Takahashi (Meiritsu-Tyrrell 007) +2.285
11. Noritake Takahara (Maki F103) +2.731
12. Motoharu Kurosawa (Maki F103) +3.398
13. Gijs van Lennep (McGuire BM1) +3.509

[pi314159]

Well I expect Meritsu racing to be slow, so slow that they might be a few seconds off the last DNPQ time. However as this is the last Japanese GP until the late 80s, I thought it should go out with a bang with a least one customer entry car.

Not necessarily, as we're not bound to keep the real calendar for every year.

[pycku]

1977 Canadian GP - Race
1. Emerson Fittipaldi (Ferrari) 80 Laps
2. Jacky Ickx (Wolf) +6.0
3. Carlos Pace (Tyrrell) +8.5
4. Mario Andretti (March) +50.1
5. Alan Jones (March) +57.6
6. Jean-Pierre Jabouille (Renault) +58.5
7. Clay Regazzoni (Brabham) +1:02.4
8. Jean-Pierre Jarier (Lotus) +1:07.3
9. David Purley (Wolf) +1 Lap
10. Gilles Villeneuve (Ensign) +1 Lap
11. Chris Amon (Surtees) +1 Lap
12. Carlos Reutemann (Lotus) +1 Lap
13. Lella Lombardi (Shadow) +1 Lap
14. Guy Edwards (Kojima) +1 Lap
retired:
Danny Ongais (McLaren) 63 Laps / Suspension
James Hunt (McLaren) 60 Laps / Clutch
Jody Scheckter (Shadow) 60 Laps / Accident
Patrick Depailler (Tyrrell) 59 Laps / Accident
Riccardo Patrese (Ligier) 43 Laps / Engine
Tom Sneva (Penske) 37 Laps / Engine
Niki Lauda (Ferrari) 29 Laps / Transmission
Didier Pironi (Parnelli) 13 Laps / Transmission
Tom Pryce (McLaren) 11 Laps / Engine
Masahiro Hasemi (Kojima) 2 Laps / Gearbox
Rolf Stommelen (Shadow) 1 Laps / Accident

Fastest Lap: Jacky Ickx (Wolf): 1:12.435

Where is Jochem Mass?

[pi314159]

Where is Jochem Mass?

He crashed in qualifying and didn't qualify.

[pi314159]

1977 Japanese GP - Qualifying

1. Tom Pryce (McLaren M26) 1:12.354
2. James Hunt (McLaren M26) +0.607
3. Niki Lauda (Ferrari 312T2) +0.908
4. Riccardo Patrese (Ferrari 312T2) +0.986
5. Emerson Fittipaldi (Ferrari 312T2) +1.040
6. Carlos Reutemann (Lotus 78) +1.132
7. Patrick Depailler (Tyrrell P34) +1.268
8. Jacky Ickx (Wolf WR1) +1.347
9. Carlos Pace (Tyrrell P34) +1.420
10. Jody Scheckter (Shadow DN8) +1.438
11. Jean-Pierre Jabouille (Renault RS01) +1.650
12. Rolf Stommelen (Shadow DN8) +1.695
13. Chris Amon (Surtees TS19) +1.709
14. Mario Andretti (March 771) +1.715
15. Tom Sneva (Penske PC5) +1.738
16. Rene Arnoux (Renault RS01) +1.745
17. Jochen Mass (Penske PC5) +1.753
18. Vittorio Brambilla (Ligier JS7) +1.821
19. Jean-Pierre Jarier (Lotus 78) +1.845
20. Ronnie Peterson (Brabham BT45B) +1.886
21. Alan Jones (March 771) +1.889
22. David Purley (Wolf WR1) +1.943
23. Gunnar Nilsson (Parnelli VPJ5) +2.045
24. Gilles Villeneuve (Ensign N177) +2.133
25. Kazuyoshi Hoshino (Kojima KE009) +2.306
26. Masahiro Hasemi (Kojima KE009) +2.350
DNQ:
27. Brian Henton (Kojima KE009) +2.604
28. Didier Pironi (Parnelli VPJ5) +2.714
29. Keke Rosberg (LEC CRP 1) +2.888
30. Henri Pescarolo (Ligier JS7) +2.973
31. Geoff Brabham (Fittipaldi F5) +3.651
32. Kunimitsu Takahashi (Boro 001) +4.310

[pycku]

Interview with Keke Rosberg

Keke, it seems that your debut season is now over.
Yeah, it seems so. Our team stopped developing too early in the season, so from Monza on we were just not competitive enough to qualify for a race.
How will you describe your season, are you happy with your performance?
Well, I am still very young, so I learn every second on the track. I wish to thank Martini Racing Brabham for trusting me. Without their help I wouldn't be here today. I also wish to thank Guiness Team LEC - we are a small team with little funds, but everyone gives 110% of himself, so I am proud of what we did. Speaking to my season - I believe I made a good debut race, then I learned a lot from Jacques [[Lafitte]]. Although I was sometimes slower than him, I'm happy that doesn't ruin me and I became faster and faster with every race. Lafitte is a good guy and it was a pity our team didn't find some more resources to be here with me now. However, gradually I've become more and more experienced, so I'm full of optimism for next season.
Speaking about next year, what are your plans?
I plan to stay in Formula 1, that's for sure.
Yes, but for which team are you driving in 1978?
I haven't decided. To be honest I have some offers. If Brabham team wants me, maybe I won't hesitate much. Of course I'm willing to hear as much offers as possible. I have good relationship with people at LEC, but... who knows, there are rumours that the team is for sale, so there is uncertainty. Of course if they find someone to stabilize the team, I'll be glad to drive once again for them.
Your season is over, but still there is one race to define the champion. Do you support anyone?
James Hunt already got the title last year and the year before. He is very fast but also charismatic and definitely Formula 1 needs more heroes like him. On the other hand Tom Pryce is more reliable and he definitely deserves that title, too. So no matter who wins, I believe fans will be happy.
Thank you, Keke, hope to see you in the paddock next year!
Thanks.

[SeedStriker]

Damn it, Pironi! You should be better than this!

[pi314159]

1977 Japanese GP - Race

1. Riccardo Patrese (Ferrari) 73 Laps
2. Tom Pryce (McLaren) +22.4
3. Emerson Fittipaldi (Ferrari) +57.3
4. Niki Lauda (Ferrari) +1:02.7
5. Chris Amon (Surtees) +1:22.6
6. David Purley (Wolf) +1 Lap
7. Patrick Depailler (Tyrrell) +1 Lap
8. Jean-Pierre Jabouille (Renault) +1 Lap
9. Jody Scheckter (Shadow) +1 Lap
10. Gilles Villeneuve (Ensign) +1 Lap
11. Ronnie Peterson (Brabham) +1 Lap
12. Alan Jones (March) +1 Lap
13. Rolf Stommelen (Shadow) +1 Lap
14. Rene Arnoux (Renault) +1 Lap
15. Jochen Mass (Penske) +1 Lap
16. Gunnar Nilsson (Parnelli) +2 Laps
17. Vittorio Brambilla (Ligier) +2 Laps
18. Masahiro Hasemi (Kojima) +2 Laps
Retired:
Tom Sneva (Penske) 46 Laps / Clutch
Jean-Pierre Jarier (Lotus) 45 Laps / Engine
James Hunt (McLaren) 40 Laps / Engine
Carlos Reutemann (Lotus) 32 Laps / Gearbox
Kazuyoshi Hoshino (Kojima) 31 Laps / Engine
Mario Andretti (March) 17 Laps / Transmission
Carlos Pace (Tyrrell) 15 Laps / Clutch
Jacky Ickx (Wolf) 7 Laps / Accident

Fastest Lap: Riccardo Patrese (1:12.526)

[FantometteBR]

Where's Pace?

[DemocalypseNow]

Where's Pace?

He didn't have any.

And this is exactly why we're sacking our current drivers and bringing in Patrese! Nice going Riccardo.

[pi314159]

Where's Pace?

Somehow overlooked him when typing in the result. Retired on Lap 15.

[UncreativeUsername37]

Points! Woooooooo!

[pi314159]

I've finally done the constructors' standings. Prize money for 1977:

McLaren: 6.000.000
Ferrari: 5.500.000
Tyrrell: 5.000.000
Penske: 4.500.000
Wolf: 4.000.000
March: 3.750.000
Brabham: 3.500.000
Shadow: 3.250.000
Lotus: 3.000.000
Surtees: 2.750.000
Ligier: 2.500.000
Renault: 2.250.000
Ensign: 2.000.000
Parnelli: 1.750.000
LEC: 1.500.000
Kojima: 1.250.000
Hesketh: 1.000.000
Fittipaldi: 900.000
Boro: 800.000
Apollon: 700.000
Maki: 600.000
McGuire: 500.000