Grand Prix Rejects

[quote="Ashley Watkinson]Well, it was a disappointing weekend for both me and my boss, Luca. I don't really think there was much wrong with the car except Norisring just didn't turn out to be our track. It's a unique street circuit, and one tiny mistake in a lap can set you back many places on the grid, and then it is a real struggle to do anything because you never get any clear air to go at the speed that the car is capable of. Norisring is not really an indicator of where we are, especially as this is my first time in the car having had no pre-season testing. We'll be far stronger in the next race for sure, and I suspect we'll put our first points on the board.[/quote]

Shoot my crew chief. Ignorant fool.

Well, for the second year running, the rain was coming down at Hockenheim. Go figure.

RESULTS OF QUALIFYING HEAT #1 AT HOCKENHEIM GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT:

T. Hemo Goblin: 1:05.10
Kay Lon: 1:05.34
Nathanael Spencer: 1:05.52
Frank Zimmer: 1:05.69
James Davies: 1:05.88
Darren Older Jr: 1:06.08
Giovanni Roda: 1:06.34
Gary Cameron: 1:06.50
Luca Pacchiarini: 1:06.70
Douglas Mann: 1:06.89
Sammy Jones: 1.07.20

RESULTS OF QUALIFYING HEAT #2 AT HOCKENHEIM GRAND PRIX CIRCUIT:

Daniel Melrose: 1:05.14
Phoenix McAllister: 1:05.32
Ashley Watkinson: 1:05.48
Aurelian Moll: 1:05.66
Simon Redman: 1:05.86
Pippa Mann: 1:06.03
David Koczo: 1:06.22
Dave Simpson: 1:06.36
Hagane Shizuka: 1:06.64
Chris Dagnall: 1:06.82
John Zimmer: 1:07.00
Thomas De Bock: 1:07.16

COMBINED RESULTS OF PRE-QUALIFYING:

T. Hemo Goblin: 1:05.10
Daniel Melrose: 1:05.14
Phoenix McAllister: 1:05.32
Kay Lon: 1:05.34
Ashley Watkinson: 1:05.48
Nathanael Spencer: 1:05.52
Aurelian Moll: 1:05.66
Frank Zimmer: 1:05.69
Simon Redman: 1:05.86
James Davies: 1:05.88
Pippa Mann: 1:06.03
Darren Older Jr: 1:06.08
David Koczo: 1:06.22
Giovanni Roda: 1:06.34
Dave Simpson: 1:06.36
Gary Cameron: 1:06.50
Hagane Shizuka: 1:06.64
Luca Pacchiarini: 1:06.70
Chris Dagnall: 1:06.82
Douglas Mann: 1:06.89
John Zimmer: 1:07.00
Thomas De Bock: 1:07.16
Sammy Jones: 1.07.20

Well, Shizuka, Pacchiarini and Dagnall will all start their season from here, but Douglas Mann, John Zimmer, and Sammy Jones won't make a start, as well as Thomas De Bock, who went from sweet unrejectifiacation to DNQ.

Due to time constraints (Science homework), the race won't be done until tomorrow, but qualifying proper might be today.

I GOT IN! YEAH!

Zimmer and De Bock? Surprising.

I hope my virtual self doesn't flop in real qualifying this time.

RACE #2 - HOCKENHEIM
Qualifying:

After the 4 drivers were eliminated, everyone else was sent back out in the wet conditions to set their times. A brilliant session for Prospec saw David Koczo take pole and Nathanael Spencer will start alongside him. The best of the new teams was Pippa Mann, who put in an astonishing lap to put herself in third place. In his first race of the season, Hagane Shizuka will start 9th, while Chris Dagnall will start 12th and Luca Pacchiarini 18th.

Qualifying Results for the Hockenheim Grand Prix Circuit:

1st: Prospec - David KOCZO (1:05.18)
2nd: Prospec - Nathanael SPENCER (+0.09)
3rd: Anglo-Manx Racing - Pippa MANN (+0.16)
4th: JLD Motorsport - Daniel MELROSE (+0.37)
5th: Rosenforth Engineering - Frank ZIMMER (+0.47)
6th: Team Calinetic - Gary CAMERON (+0.55)
7th: Kahama Motor Sport - Simon REDMAN (+0.66)
8th: Rosenforth Engineering - Phoenix MCALLISTER (+0.79)
9th: West Cliff Racing - Hagane SHIZUKA (+0.94)
10th: CR Motorsport - Darren OLDER JR (+1.11)
11th: Hemogoblin Autowerks - T. HEMO GOBLIN (+1.12)
12th: RubberTex-Jones Racing - Chris DAGNALL (+1.30)
13th: Trueba Racing - Giovanni RODA (+1.34)
14th: Kahama Motor Sport - Kay LON (+1.56)
15th: Club Bangelia Racing - James DAVIES (+1.62)
16th: Ecurie de Course Belge Aurelian MOLL (+1.74)
17th: Pacchia-Coswojuddhartlambo - Ashley WATKINSON (+1.87)
18th: Pacchia-Coswojuddhartlambo - Luca PACCHIARINI (+1.98)
19th: Australian Minardi - Dave SIMPSON (+2.10)

Race:

Lap 1:
Mann got away to a brilliant start and split the Prospecs, while Simon Redman and Frank Zimmer both passed the slow Daniel Melrose. Hagane Shizuka also dropped out of the top 10. By the end of the lap, Mann had taken the lead from Koczo, while Spencer dropped back behind Zimmer, Redman and Phoenix McAllister.
Lap 2:
Mann had opened a bit of a gap to Zimmer, who had passed Koczo and taken Redman with him. McAllister was swamped by the regular midfield pack.
Lap 3:
Mann still leads, but a mistake from Zimmer at the hairpin sees him drop back to third, behind Koczo. Redman, however, is still behind Zimmer. The top 4 are still ahead of the pack, which is now led by McAllister.
Lap 4:
Mann no longer leads, as Koczo catches up and passes. Melrose now leads the mid pack, while repeated spins from Dave Simpson see him drop way behind the 18th placed Luca Pacchiarini. James Davies is the first to pit.
Lap 5:
Koczo leads, but has to hold off a desperate and quick Pippa Mann. Zimmer is still third, with Redman 4th and Melrose in open air in 5th. Spencer has now dropped to 10th place.
Lap 6:
It is too difficult to see the cars in the rain, so I’m just gonna have to post the positions as they finish the lap. In this case: Koczo-Mann-Redman-Melrose-Zimmer-Cameron-McAllister-Shizuka-Older Jr-Spencer-Roda-Hemo Goblin-Dagnall-Lon-Moll-Watkinson-Pacchiarini-Simpson (having now caught up again)-Davies (right behind on better tyres).
Lap 7:
Koczo-Redman-Mann-Zimmer-Melrose-Older Jr-Cameron-McAllister-Shizuka-Hemo Goblin-Spencer-Roda-Dagnall-Lon-Moll-Watkinson-Pacchiarini-Simpson-Davies.
Lap 8:
Koczo-Mann-Zimmer-Melrose-Cameron-McAllister -Older Jr-Shizuka-Spencer-Roda-Dagnall-Lon-Moll-Simpson-Davies-Watkinson-Pacchiarini. Redman and Hemo Goblin pit.
Lap 9:
Zimmer-Koczo-Mann-Cameron-Melrose-Shizuka-McAllister-Dagnall-Older Jr-Roda-Lon-Simpson-Davies-Moll-Watkinson-Pacchiarini-Redman-Hemo Goblin. Spencer pits.
Lap 10:
Koczo-Zimmer-Mann-Shizuka-Cameron-McAllister-Older Jr-Melrose-Dagnall (cue epic battle)-Lon-Roda-Davies-Simpson-Moll-Watkinson-Pacchiarini-Redman-Hemo Goblin-Spencer.
Lap 11:
Zimmer-Koczo-Shizuka -Cameron-Older Jr-Melrose-Dagnall-Davies-Roda-Lon-Simpson-Moll-Watkinson-Pacchiarini-Redman- Hemo Goblin-Spencer. Mann and McAllister pit.
Lap 12:
Zimmer-Cameron-Davies-Shizuka-Older Jr-Melrose-Roda-Lon-Dagnall-Moll-Simpson-Redman-Watkinson-Hemo Goblin-Pacchiarini-Spencer-Mann-McAllister. Koczo pits.
Lap 13:
Davies-Zimmer-Cameron-Melrose-Older Jr-Lon-Moll-Shizuka-Dagnall-Simpson-Roda-Redman-Spencer-Hemo Goblin-Watkinson-Pacchiarini-Mann-McAllister-Koczo.
Lap 14:
Davies-Melrose-Older Jr-Lon-Roda-Shizuka-Simpson-Moll-Dagnall-Redman-Spencer-Hemo Goblin-Watkinson-Pacchiarini-Mann-McAllister-Koczo. Zimmer and Cameron both pit.
Lap 15:
Davies-Melrose-Simpson-Older Jr-Dagnall-Roda-Redman -Spencer-Shizuka-Hemo Goblin-Moll-Watkinson-Pacchiarini-Mann-McAllister-Koczo-Cameron-Zimmer. Lon pits.
Lap 16:
Davies-Older Jr-Melrose -Redman-Spencer-Dagnall-Shizuka-Roda-Hemo Goblin-Moll-Mann-Watkinson-McAllister-Pacchiarini-Koczo-Cameron-Zimmer-Lon. Simpson pits and is first to go a lap down.
Lap 17:
Davies-Redman-Spencer-Older Jr-Melrose-Shizuka-Roda-McAllister-Dagnall-Mann-Hemo Goblin-Koczo-Watkinson-Pacchiarini-Cameron-Zimmer-Lon-Simpson (+1L). Moll pits.
Lap 18:
Davies-Spencer-Redman-Melrose-McAllister -Shizuka-Mann-Koczo-Roda-Dagnall-Hemo Goblin-Watkinson-Pacchiarini-Cameron-Zimmer-Lon-Simpson (+1L)-Moll (+1L). Older Jr pits.
Lap 19:
Spencer-Redman-McAllister-Mann -Koczo-Melrose-Hemo Goblin-Roda-Dagnall-Watkinson-Cameron-Pacchiarini-Zimmer-Lon-Simpson-Moll-Older Jr. Davies pits for second time. Shizuka also pits.
Lap 20:
Spencer-Redman-McAllister-Mann-Koczo-Hemo Goblin-Davies-Melrose-Dagnall-Cameron-Roda-Watkinson-Zimmer-Pacchiarini-Lon-Simpson-Older Jr-Shizuka-Moll.
Lap 21:
Spencer-Redman-McAllister-Mann-Koczo-Hemo Goblin-Davies-Cameron -Melrose-Roda-Dagnall-Watkinson-Zimmer-Pacchiarini-Lon-Simpson-Older Jr-Shizuka-Moll.
Lap 22:
Spencer-Redman-McAllister-Mann-Koczo-Hemo Goblin-Davies-Cameron-Melrose-Roda-Dagnall-Zimmer-Watkinson-Lon-Pacchiarini-Simpson-Older Jr-Shizuka-Moll.
Lap 23:
Spencer-Redman-McAllister-Mann-Koczo-Hemo Goblin-Davies-Cameron-Melrose-Zimmer-Roda -Watkinson-Lon-Pacchiarini-Simpson-Older Jr-Shizuka-Moll. Dagnall pits.
Lap 24:
Spencer-Redman-McAllister-Koczo-Mann-Hemo Goblin-Davies-Cameron-Zimmer-Melrose-Roda-Lon-Watkinson-Simpson-Pacchiarini-Older Jr-Shizuka-Moll-Dagnall (+1L).
Lap 25:
Spencer-Redman-McAllister-Koczo-Mann-Hemo Goblin-Davies-Cameron-Zimmer -Roda-Lon -Simpson-Older Jr-Pacchiarini-Shizuka-Moll-Dagnall (+1L). Melrose and Watkinson pit.
Lap 26:
Spencer-Redman-McAllister-Koczo-Mann-Hemo Goblin-Davies-Cameron-Zimmer-Roda-Lon-Simpson-Older Jr-Shizuka-Pacchiarini-Moll-Melrose (+1L)-Watkinson (+1L)-Dagnall (+1L).
Lap 27:
Spencer-Redman-McAllister-Koczo-Mann-Hemo Goblin-Davies-Cameron-Zimmer-Lon -Simpson-Older Jr-Shizuka-Moll-Pacchiarini (+1L)-Melrose (+1L)-Watkinson (+1L)-Dagnall (+1L). Roda pits.
Lap 28:
Spencer-Redman-McAllister-Koczo-Mann-Hemo Goblin-Davies-Cameron-Zimmer-Lon -Simpson-Older Jr-Shizuka-Moll-Pacchiarini (+1L)-Melrose (+1L)-Watkinson (+1L)-Dagnall (+1L)-Roda (+1L).
Lap 29:
See above. Except move Redman back two spots. Pitting, you see.
Lap 30:
And so, a race so boring (despite the rain) that I almost fell asleep again, the winner is Nathanael Spencer for Prospec! One interesting note: Luca Pacchiarini has been disqualified for not pitting. I’m serious, even the results screen says it. There were also a few spins on the final lap.


1st: Nathanael Spencer (Prospec): 34 minutes, 29.20 seconds
2nd: Phoenix McAllister (Rosenforth Engineering): +16.84
3rd: David Koczo (Prospec): +16.90
4th: Simon Redman (Kahama Motor Sport): +17.43
5th: Pippa Mann (Anglo-Manx Racing): +18.47
6th: James Davies (Club Bangelia Racing): +21.65
7th: T. Hemo Goblin (Hemogoblin Autowerks): +22.62
8th: Gary Cameron (Team Calinetic): +24.67
9th: Frank Zimmer (Rosenforth Engineering): +31.65
10th: Kay Lon (Kahama Motor Sport): +44.23
11th: Darren Older Jr (CR Motorsport): +48.22
12th: Dave Simpson (Australian Minardi): +50.45
13th: Hagane Shizuka (West Cliff Racing): +1:07.80
14th: Daniel Melrose (JLD Motorsport): +1 LAP
15th: Aurelian Moll (Ecurie de Course Belge): +1 LAP
16th: Giovanni Roda (Trueba Racing): +1 LAP
17th: Chris Dagnall (RubberTex-Jones Racing): +1 LAP
18th: Ashley Watkinson (Pacchia-Coswojuddhartlambo): +1 LAP
DSQ: Luca Pacchiarini (Pacchia-Coswojuddhartlambo)
DNQ: Douglas Mann (Anglo-Manx Racing)
DNQ: John Zimmer (Fwifwi-Holden Racing)
DNQ: Thomas De Bock (Team Calinetic)
DNQ: Sammy Jones (RubberTex-Jones Racing)
Fastest lap: Frank Zimmer (1:05.11)

Leaders:
P. Mann: 1-3
Koczo: 4-8, 10
Zimmer: 9, 11-12
Davies: 13-18
Spencer: 19-30

Pit stops:
L4: Davies
L8: Redman, Hemo Goblin
L9: Spencer
L11: P. Mann, McAllister
L12: Koczo
L14: Zimmer, Cameron
L15: Lon
L16: Simpson
L17: Moll
L18: Older Jr
L19: Davies (2nd), Shizuka
L23: Dagnall
L25: Melrose, Watkinson
L27: Roda
L29: Redman (2nd)

Drivers' Championship (after Round 2 of 15)
1st: Simon Redman (20)
2nd: Nathanael Spencer (15)
3rd: Phoenix McAllister (11)
4th: Thomas De Bock (10)
= 5th: David Koczo (9)
= 5th: Gary Cameron (9)
= 7th: Frank Zimmer (5)
= 7th: Dave Simpson (5)
= 9th: Pippa Mann (4)
= 9th: Daniel Melrose (4)
11th: James Davies (3)
= 12th: T. Hemo Goblin (2)
= 12th: Giovanni Roda (2)

Teams' Championship:
1st: Prospec (24)
2nd: Kahama Motor Sport (20)
3rd: Team Calinetic (19)
4th: Rosenforth Engineering (16)
5th: Australian Minardi (5)
= 6th: Anglo-Manx Racing (4)
= 6th: JLD Motorsport (4)
8th: Club Bangelia Racing (3)
= 9th: Hemogoblin Autowerks (2)
= 9th: Trueba Racing (2)
= 11th: CR Motorsport (0)
= 11th: West Cliff Racing (0)
= 11th: Ecurie de Course Belge (0)
= 11th: Pacchia-Coswojuddhartlambo (0)
= 11th: RubberTex-Jones Racing
= 11th: Fwifwi-Holden Racing (0)

This is a brilliant opportunity to do this:

Frank Zimmer wrote:Well, I'm disappointed with that result, but a "mistake" from the team in the pit stop saw me get leapfrogged by Gary, which eventually cost me 8th place. I'm happy for getting the fastest lap, but Rosenforth are now treating me the same way as they treated Thomas last year, and if it doesn't improve, I may go off and join my 'bro at his team.

Woo 4th!

Sorry for the delay (homework etc.), so here we go at Oschersleben.

RESULTS FOR QUALIFYING HEAT #1 AT OSCHERSLEBEN:
Frank ZIMMER: 0:53.50
James DAVIES: 0:53.83
Nathanael SPENCER: 0:53.90
Darren OLDER JR: 0:54.05
T. HEMO GOBLIN: 0:54.14
Kay LON: 0:54.47
Sammy JONES: 0:54.47
Luca PACCHIARINI: 0:54.62
Douglas MANN: 0:54.78
Gary CAMERON: 0:54.94
Giovanni RODA: 0:55.12

RESULTS FOR QUALIFYING HEAT #2 AT OSCHERSLEBEN:
Ashley WATKINSON: 0:53.58
Daniel MELROSE: 0:53.71
Simon REDMAN: 0:53.80
Pippa MANN: 0:53.99
Phoenix MCALLISTER: 0:54.15
Dave SIMPSON: 0:54.33
Thomas DE BOCK: 0:54.43
David KOCZO: 0:54.52
Hagane SHIZUKA: 0:54.68
Chris DAGNALL: 0:54.82
John ZIMMER: 0:55.13
Aurelian MOLL: 0:55.17

COMBINED PRE-QUALIFYING RESULTS:
Frank ZIMMER: 0:53.50
Ashley WATKINSON: 0:53.58
Daniel MELROSE: 0:53.71
Simon REDMAN: 0:53.80
James DAVIES: 0:53.83
Nathanael SPENCER: 0:53.90
Pippa MANN: 0:53.99
Darren OLDER JR: 0:54.05
T. HEMO GOBLIN: 0:54.14
Phoenix MCALLISTER: 0:54.15
Dave SIMPSON: 0:54.33
Thomas DE BOCK: 0:54.43
Kay LON: 0:54.47
Sammy JONES: 0:54.47
David KOCZO: 0:54.52
Luca PACCHIARINI: 0:54.62
Hagane SHIZUKA: 0:54.68
Douglas MANN: 0:54.78
Chris DAGNALL: 0:54.82
Gary CAMERON: 0:54.94
Giovanni RODA: 0:55.12
John ZIMMER: 0:55.13
Aurelian MOLL: 0:55.17

Gotta love pre-qualifying where anyone can be knocked out. Well, not for Gary Cameron. Sammy Jones will (finally) start his first race this season, while John Zimmer will miss his second.

Welcome to the club, Gary!

Warren Hughes wrote:

Gary Cameron wrote:

You can´t stand a driver over 50 beats you????

RACE #3 - OSCHERSLEBEN
Qualifying:

This session was highlighted by two battles: the one that was between the only F1 world champions (for now) on the grid for pole, and the sibling rivalry between Pippa and Douglas Mann further back. In the end, Chris and Pippa won both, while Ashley Watkinson put the Pacchia in its best position all year, edging out Frank Zimmer for third.

1st: RubberTex-Jones Racing - Chris DAGNALL (0:53.58)
2nd: JLD Motorsport - Daniel MELROSE (+0.16)
3rd: Pacchia-Coswojuddhartlambo - Ashley WATKINSON (+0.20)
4th: Rosenforth Engineering - Frank ZIMMER (+0.23)
5th: Kahama Motor Sport - SImon REDMAN (+0.31)
6th: Hemogoblin Autowerks - T. HEMO GOBLIN (+0.51)
7th: Prospec - David KOCZO (+0.53)
8th: Prospec - Nathanael SPENCER (+0.72)
9th: Club Bangelia Racing - James DAVIES (+0.76)
10th: Rosenforth Engineering - Phoenix MCALLISTER (+0.84)
11th: Team Cainetic - Thomas DE BOCK (+0.94)
12th: West Cliff Racing - Hagane SHIZUKA (+0.99)
13th: Kahama Motor Sport - Kay LON (+1.18)
14th: Anglo-Manx Racing - Pippa MANN (+1.26)
15th: Anglo-Manx Racing - Douglas MANN (+1.27
16th: Australian Minardi - Dave SIMPSON (+1.42)
17th: Pacchia-Coswojuddhartlambo - Luca PACCHIARINI (+1.46)
18th: CR Motorsport - Darren OLDER JR (+1.57)
19th: RubberTex-Jones Racing - Sammy JONES (+1.67)

Lap 1:
A good start from Dagnall sees him lead from Melrose, while Zimmer gets past Watkinson. Pippa is up to 12th, while Douglas is 16th.
Lap 2:
Melrose is dropping back, while Zimmer is now second. Otherwise, there is surprisingly little change from the last lap.
Lap 3:
Dagnall still leads. Zimmer and Watkinson are 2nd and 3rd. Melrose is battling with Hemo Goblin for 4th, with Redman waiting to pounce behind. McAllister, Spencer, De Bock and Davies round out the top 10. Pacchiarini is now last after a brave move by Jones at the final corner.
Lap 4:
A relatively quiet race it seems…
Lap 5:
Zzzzzzz… What? Oh, Spencer is now 6th. McAllister, in 10th place, is within one and a half seconds of him, showing how close those 5 drivers are. Everyone else, however, has spread out. Pippa Mann is the first to pit.
Lap 6:
Dagnall still leads from Zimmer, who is ahead of Watkinson, who is ahead of Melrose, who is ahead of Hemo Goblin, and then there is daylight. Then the pack with Redman, Spencer, De Bock, McAllister and Davies, with Koczo just behind. Then it is Shiuzka, Lon, Simpson, Douglas Mann, Older Jr, Jones, Pacchiarini and Pippa Mann bringing up the rear.
Lap 7:
Davies is dropping behind the pack, but otherwise everything is the same. Oh, and Mann is attacking Pacchiarini. But you could probably have guessed that, seeing what happened in every other F1RWRS race ever.
Lap 8:
Hemo Goblin has replaced Redman in the pack, after he started to get away, while McAllister drops behind. Something is wrong with Jones’ car, as Pacchiarini and Mann are catching at a phenomenal rate.
Lap 9:
Resume sleep mode. Wait, no, Redman has passed Melrose for 4th. Dagnall is just cruising in the lead now. The problems in the slower RubberTex have disappeared, and Mann passes Pacchiarini. The field seems to be bunching up again.
Lap 10:
Dave Simpson pits. That was the only interesting thing.
Lap 11:
Redman is now second as Zimmer pits. Spencer, Shizuka and Pacchiarini follow suit.
Lap 12:
Now it’s getting interesting! De Bock is now second, Watkinson third, Redman and Melrose just behind. The top 12 are virtually on top of each other. Simpson was able to pass Shizuka and Spencer in the pits (already ahead of Pacchiarini), but Zimmer holds the spot, putting him second on corrected order, with Mann in that condensed top 12. Just about all of them, plus Douglas Mann and Sammy Jones, lap the still stationary Pacchiarini.
Lap 13:
Now it is starting to become pointless to overtake, as there is someone who always takes your spot a few corners later. Except for Dagnall, whose lead extends once more.
Lap 14:
I’m sure that Dagnall now has the record for most laps led from the start, because no one can touch him. I’m certain that if he were to pit now, while Mann would be ahead, Zimmer and co. wouldn’t.
Lap 15:
And Dagnall has now led the entire first half of the race. Wow. Although Watkinson is catching. Melrose, meanwhile, is back in 9th. Ouch!
Lap 16:
Finally! A new leader! Watkinson now leads after a mistake on dying tyres from Dagnall. Jones forces Zimmer wide, allowing Simpson to sneak past. However, Jones then blocks Simpson at the last corner, so that he is dragging with Zimmer to the first corner. Douglas Mann also pits.
Lap 17:
Well, that didn’t last long, as Dagnall regains the lead at the chicane. Simpson won the drag, kind of, by running Zimmer wide, allowing Spencer to join in. Shizuka, meanwhile, has no pace, despite stopping at the same time. He is already miles behind Spencer.
Lap 18:
Dagnall pits from the lead, handing the lead to Watkinson, whil Pippa Mann is now 4th. The other stoppers are either stuck behind Jones (Simpson, Zimmer & Spencer), lapped (Pacchiarini & Douglas) or in the middle of nowhere (Shizuka). Well, the first group were realeased when Jones pitted, following Hemo Goblin in.Wait, that means both RubberTexes are in at the same time. Nice work from the new team.
Lap 19:
What good is it having two pit bays at opposite ends of the lane? At least they didn’t have to cue. Watkinson still leads, while it seems most of the drivers have opted for a late strategy, with 10 drivers still to pit. Correction: 8 drivers, as Davies and Older Jr pull in.
Lap 20:
Watkinson still leads, while Mann is stuck in fourth, and Zimmer is now 6th. Simpson is lapping slower after a driver error at the chicane, and Spencer is stuck behind his teammate in 8th. Pacchiarini and Douglas Mann are very close to unlapping themselves, showing more pace than Watkinson.
Lap 21:
Spencer passes Pippa at the final corner, a split second after they both passed Watkinson. The stage is set for a massive final battle for the win, the likes of which F1RWRS have never seen (seriously, usually it’s 20+ seconds).
Lap 22:
Pacchiarini has unlapped himself, but Douglas is stuck behind Spencer, whilst inadvertently (I hope) blocking Pippa. Zimmer has also now passed Watkinson for third, while the next best stopper is, of all people, Shizuka, in 8th.
Lap 23:
Pacchiarini really struggled to keep away from Spencer, and in the end is passed again, ending up behind Pippa too. Douglas has dropped way back after being simply fooled by Pippa. Now side by side with Zimmer down the straight, while Simpson is now trying to pass Redman and Watkinson. Where’s Shizuka? Fourth, if you must know.
Lap 24:
The top 5 have now all stopped, after Simpson passed Watkinson early in the lap. David Koczo pits from the midfield.
Lap 25:
Pippa is slowing down on older tyres, but is still keeping in touch with Spencer, for now. There are still 6 drivers yet to pit: in order, Redman, Watkinson, McAllister, De Bock, Lon and Melrose
Lap 26:
The battle isn’t as good as I thought it would be.
Lap 27:
Those that haven’t stopped had better do it soon, because there are only two more laps (28 & 29) in which drivers can pit before they get a big DSQ next to their names.
Lap 28:
Mann is gone for all money as Spencer extends his lead. Still, 25 laps on really dodgy tyres is a good effort. De Bock, Melrose and McAllister all stop, leaving Lon, Watkinson and Redman to stop on the next lap.
Lap 29:
And that they do. And when they do, it is…
Lap 30:
All over for everyone else. Nathanael Spencer takes the win, with Pippa Mann second and Frank Zimmer on the bottom step of the podium. Hagane Shiuzka withstands an attack from Dave Simpson to take 4th place.

1st: Nathanael Spencer (Prospec): 30 minutes, 5.48 seconds
2nd: Pippa Mann (Anglo-Manx Racing): +1.58
3rd: Frank Zimmer (Rosenforth Engineering): +2.54
4th: Hagane Shizuka (West Cliff Racing): +15.62
5th: Dave Simpson (Australian Minardi): +16.09
6th: Chris Dagnall (RubberTex-Jones Racing): +36.51
7th: T. Hemo Goblin (Hemogblin Autowerks): +47.05
8th: Darren Older Jr (CR Motorsport): +56.92
9th: James Davies (Club Bangelia Racing): +58.70
10th: Sammy Jones (RubberTex-Jones Racing): +1:00.47
11th: Luca Pacchiarini (Pacchia-Coswojuddhartlambo): +1 LAP
12th: Douglas Mann (Anglo-Manx Racing): +1 LAP
13th: David Koczo (Prospec): +1 LAP
14th: Thomas De Bock (Team Calinetic): +1 LAP
15th: Phoenix McAllister (Rosenforth Engineering): +1 LAP
16th: Daniel Melrose (JLD Motorsport): +1 LAP
17th: Simon Redman (Kahama Motor Sport): +2 LAPS
18th: Ashley Watkinson (Pacchia-Coswojuddhartlambo): +2 LAPS
19th: Kay Lon (Kahama Motor Sport): +2 LAPS
DNQ: Gary Cameron (Team Calinetic)
DNQ: Giovanni Roda (Trueba Racing)
DNQ: John Zimmer (Fwifwi-Holden Racing)
DNQ: Aurelian Moll (Ecurie de Course Belge)
Fastest Lap: David Koczo (0:53.88)

Leaders:
Dagnall: 1-15, 17
Watkinson: 16, 18-20
Spencer: 21-30

Pit stops:
L5: P. Mann
L10: Simpson
L11: Zimmer, Spencer, Shizuka, Pacchiarini
L16: D. Mann
L18: Dagnall, Hemo Goblin, Jones
L19: Davies, Older Jr
L24: Koczo
L28: De Bock, Melrose, McAllister.
L29: Watkinson, Redman, Lon

Drivers’ Championship (after Round 3 of 15)
1st: Nathanael Spencer (30)
2nd: Simon Redman (20)
3rd: Pippa Mann (14)
4th: Frank Zimmer (13)
5th: Phoenix McAllister (11)
= 6th: David Koczo (10)
= 6th: Thomas De Bock (10)
= 8th: Dave Simpson (9)
= 8th: Gary Cameron (9)
10th: Hagane Shizuka (5)
= 11th: Chris Dagnall (4) (Ah, the wonders of my tiebreaking system. 1-1, Mr Melrose!)
= 11th: T. Hemo Goblin (4)
= 11th: Daniel Melrose (4)
14th: James Davies (3)
15th: Giovanni Roda (2)
16th: Darren Older Jr (1)

Teams' Championship:
1st: Prospec (40)
2nd: Rosenforth Engineering (24)
3rd: Kahama Motor Sport (20)
4th: Team Calinetic (19)
5th: Anglo-Manx Racing (14)
6th: Australian Minardi (9)
7th: West Cliff Racing (5)
= 8th: RubberTex-Jones Racing (4)
= 8th: Hemogoblin Autowerks (4)
= 8th: JLD Motorsport (4)
11th: Club Bangelia Racing (3)
12th: Trueba Racing (2)
13th: CR Motorsport (1)
= 14th: Pacchia-Coswojuddhartlambo (0)
= 14th: Fwifwi-Holden Racing (0)
= 14th: Ecurie de Course Belge (0)

To the Nürburgring!

I just realized: I took a 4th and a 5th place, so I unrejectified myself!

Phoenix McAllister wrote:Great. Just f*cking great. At this rate I'll have to create my own team like those buggers.

Douglas Mann simply had to reply to Mr McAllister's quotation:

Douglas Mann wrote:Don't bother. You will only discover a sister/female cousin/etc. who will pester you for a seat as teammate to you and then in her third race, score a better result than you manage in over a year. Oh, and she'll insist on being team manager.




At least we as a team are still outscoring West Cliff Racing...

Pippa Mann wrote:Maybe you should have quit last season sooner, brother. Maybe West Cliff Racing could have got better results with me rather than you then?

I scored my best result too. And I don't want any rivalizing with others.

Shizuka wrote:I scored my best result too. And I don't want any rivalizing with others.

Douglas Mann has no gripe with Hagane Shizuka, only West Cliff Racing, the team, who he believes screwed him last year (although Douglas's results in his second year have done little to convince otherwise).

RESULTS FOR QUALIFYING HEAT #1 AT NURBURGRING SHORT:
Frank ZIMMER: 0:55.48
Gary CAMERON: 0:55.55
James DAVIES: 0:55.75
T. HEMO GOBLIN: 0:55.91
Darren OLDER JR: 0:56.03
Sammy JONES: 0:56.17
Nathanael SPENCER: 0:56.36
Kay LON: 0:56.43
Luca PACCHIARINI: 0:56.55
Douglas MANN: 0:56.73
Giovanni RODA: 0:57.08

RESULTS FOR QUALIFYING HEAT #2 AT NURBURGRING SHORT:
Chris DAGNALL: 0:55.39
Phoenix MCALLISTER: 0:55.62
Daniel MELROSE: 0:55.71
Ashley WATKINSON: 0:55.84
David KOCZO: 0:56.02
Pippa MANN: 0:56.18
Thomas DE BOCK: 0:56.39
Dave SIMPSON: 0:56.47
John ZIMMER: 0:56.77
Simon REDMAN: 0:56.84
Aurelian MOLL: 0:56.95
Hagane SHIZUKA: 0:57.13

COMBINED RESULTS OF PRE-QUALIFYING:
Chris DAGNALL: 0:55.39
Frank ZIMMER: 0:55.48
Gary CAMERON: 0:55.55
Phoenix MCALLISTER: 0:55.62
Daniel MELROSE: 0:55.71
James DAVIES: 0:55.75
Ashley WATKINSON: 0:55.84
T. HEMO GOBLIN: 0:55.91
David KOCZO: 0:56.02
Darren OLDER JR: 0:56.03
Sammy JONES: 0:56.17
Pippa MANN: 0:56.18
Nathanael SPENCER: 0:56.36
Thomas DE BOCK: 0:56.39
Kay LON: 0:56.43
Dave SIMPSON: 0:56.47
Luca PACCHIARINI: 0:56.55
Douglas MANN: 0:56.73
John ZIMMER: 0:56.77
Simon REDMAN: 0:56.84
Aurelian MOLL: 0:56.95
Giovanni RODA: 0:57.08
Hagane SHIZUKA: 0:57.13

So, Shizuka does a De Bock and follows unrejectification with a solid DNQ.

AW bathplug!

dr-baker wrote:

Shizuka wrote:I scored my best result too. And I don't want any rivalizing with others.

Douglas Mann has no gripe with Hagane Shizuka, only West Cliff Racing, the team, who he believes screwed him last year (although Douglas's results in his second year have done little to convince otherwise).

I too start to have problems with West Cliff. DNQ AGAIN?

Shizuka wrote:

dr-baker wrote:

Shizuka wrote:I scored my best result too. And I don't want any rivalizing with others.

Douglas Mann has no gripe with Hagane Shizuka, only West Cliff Racing, the team, who he believes screwed him last year (although Douglas's results in his second year have done little to convince otherwise).

I too start to have problems with West Cliff. DNQ AGAIN?

West Cliff = Pacific? Andrea Moda?

I don't know, but after a 4th place, a DNQ is not what supposed to happen! Pacific so far, if it's Andrea Moda I would have gotten a DNPQ without a time

Shizuka wrote: Pacific so far, if it's Andrea Moda I would have gotten a DNPQ without a time

Wouldn't put it past them. Could still happen...

dr-baker wrote:

Shizuka wrote: Pacific so far, if it's Andrea Moda I would have gotten a DNPQ without a time

Wouldn't put it past them. Could still happen...

... unlucky I am then. Seriously!

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:

Because my laptop is so useless the government wants it back (temporarily, anyway), and it is an important tool in documenting the races, this will be on hold for a few days, maybe a week or two.