So before we start with the usual blog for Singapore, I would like to thank everybody organizing and taking part in yesterdays race for Callum and also a massive applause to Owen Howell for his amazing tribute video which i think touched everyone who saw it and if u haven't seen it go watch it now. Here is a link to get you there.
I would also recommend the race report from Abu Dhabi last season for some written tributes about our fallen comrade. I know it will hurt for many of you to read this again but its worth a read because Callum absolutely deserves to and should be remembered by all of us here in SLR. Always missed never forgotten.
Thats it for me and now over to Riggs with the McKeon division blog and the report as you are used to having it.
The season enters the final flyaways for season 7 in SLR's top division and the first stop is for the Singapore Grand Prix, the glamorous night equivalent of Monaco, and the stage was set as the championship begins to heat up
Midzy15 would claim pole position under the Singapore lights after a strong, pacy 1:34.747 in Qualifying 3, ahead of both Red Bulls of SLR Dylan and Raceroller22, who set a 1:34.876 and 1:34.923 respectively, and it was only the top 3 able to crack the 1:34 in a fiercely fought quali
The 5 lights would go out and the race would begin, and it would be a close battle into T1, but Midzy15 was able to get the clean launch and go unchallenged into T1, and with SLR Dylan edging his teammate on the brakes just behind. Bezzas would big down on the start after qualifying 4th and would be P7 by the exit of Turn 3, but the worst start would go to stand in AJ Drifts, after two spins in as many laps seen him pit early and into no man's land at the back
The top 3 would be able to just edge out in front, with ZyDRAD in P4 just outside the DRS detection point, but no any slower in pace as the time would go back and forth, but as the DRS would be enabled, there were two trains already forming, with the second spanning the whole grid, just hammering home how close everybody was in the early stages
Alpine would making moves with Riggs going for an ambitious move round the outside of Turn 14 on the Mercedes of Monkey on Lap 4, promoting the Alpine to P11 and on the hunt after SLR Niki. The other Alpine of Crispy2001 would be locked in battle with klutzywinter for P5, and with cleaner traction on the exit of Turn 3, was able to make the move on the McLaren and slot ahead, and after the Aston Martin of ZyDRAD
PaRa would have his McLaren lock onto the kerb of Turn 2, preventing his turn in for turn 3 and leading to a spin, losing him a handful of positions, going from 9th to 15th
Riggs would look to pass the second alphatauri of Ghost Colt, and was looking racy into the sweeping left of T9 before the former Singapore sling, seeing colt just hold onto the position, but a slippery rear on the exit of the Anderson Bridge allowed the Alpine to Hook the car up on traction and get the place, up to P9
Contact would be made at the front as SLR Dylan sought an opportunity to go for the race lead, but with Midzy15 being firm, both would make contact, and the Red Bull would go into a small drift and the Williams would grind the exit kerb and run slightly wide
This would allow Raceroller22 to have a go for the lead as SLR Dylan would trigger the undercut later the same lap, and strategy at the front was in red bull's favour as they have both cars in the battle and the opportunity to split strategy
Midzy15 would be left with little choice other than to cover the undercutting red bull, and pit a lap later, but it wasn't enough to keep the net lead, as SLR Dylan would make his way past
Raceroller22 would pit a lap later, but would slot out just behind and maintain his net P3 as ZyDRAD would inherit the race lead as the Aston Martin goes long on the first stint
Shutmetal on the alternate strat would see the top 4 hound his alfa down and would begin creating a headache, and Midzy15 would seek an opportunity into turn 1 on the Red Bull, but Dylan was aware of it , placing the Bull nicely on the inside and maintains the lead, and eventually, all passing the Alfa Romeo
Klutzywinter, Crispy, Bezzas and Riggs, the battle for P5, would soon run into the slower Alfa, and with Shutmetal sharing some intense on track action, would pit by the end of Lap 15
From an Alfa Romeo, to a Haas, the leaders would have a similar issue in approaching a car on a different strategy, promoting the Williams to have another go at the Red Bull for the lead, and into Turn14, Midzy went for the inside, but in going onto the brakes, would hit the back of the Bull, but eventually gaining the lead, and both would go side by side through the tight 3rd sector. A couple rough patches between the two leaders allowed the second bull of Raceroller22 to go round the outside of his championship rival and make it a Red Bull 1-2
The battle also allowed for the battle for P5 to merge into the battle for the lead in Lap 19 of 31, making it an 8 way battle for the lead, in the top tier, and all going to the end, it was shaping up to be a grand stand finish
Dylan would burst the battery going down the inside of the Haas of Crowding, and Midzy15 would look up the inside of Raceroller22, but contact would mean the Williams would be sent into a spin and sent to the back of the queue, a pivotal moment of the race
Bezzas would go for a move round the outside of klutzywinter as the McLaren was slowly losing touch with the front 3, and a beautiful move round the outside from the Williams at Turn 7 saw Bezzas go into P4. Riggs looked to capitalise as well, with another run into the heavy Turn14, looking round the outside, but having to bail out of the move with the McLaren going deep on the brakes, and Riggs losing out to his teammate who snuck past on the inside, with Crispy2001 also managing his way past the McLaren of klutzywinter
It would go from one loss to another for the Alpine of Riggs after a spin at the final two corners saw him collide with the wall and have to do a full Singapore lap with a damaged end plate
The race was not over, and it would go from 10 to 100 with a late safety car following SLR Nikis incident at T10, sending the alphatauri into retirement and a late caution throwing everything up in the air, but being a quiet lifeline for those who struggled with fuel anticipating a safety car, prayers were answered for some, but penalties meant that the complexion changed once again
The leaders were cautious about what to do next, and everybody in the leading battle valued track position and the fact that an SC would only last one lap, but PaRa Quick was the only driver to throw the dice and go soft at the end, whilst everybody ahead had track position on old hards, it was going to be a spicy conclusion
SLR Dylan would go at the latest possible moment as the race would go for a 2 lap sprint to the end, and Midzy15 was most active as he was looking for a way past Klutzywinter, but disaster would strike as both would spin at T7 on Lap 30, but all eyes were on PaRa Quick on the softs, who was so much faster than everyone around him
The final lap would see PaRa cut through the top 3 like a hot knife through butter, and with close shaves with the wall in the final sector, was able to muscle his way past the Red Bull with 3 corners to go to take a strategical victory here in Singapore, with a Red Bull 1-2 becoming a 2-3
Elite
Qualifying
Pole Lap: 01.34.747
1. Midzy15
2. SLR Dyaln
3. raceroller22
4. bezzas1
5. ZyDRAD
6. KlutzyWinter830
7. gho3t COLT
8. Crispy2001
9. PaRa Quickz
10. SLR Niki
11. II Monkeyy II
12. R1ggs8
13. AJDR1FT2
14. SLR Cech
15. ShutMedal
16. II Division II
17. NRX Stenner
18. NRX Crowding
19. JibJab325
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.37.672 Riggs8
1. SLR Dylan
2. PaRa Quickz
3. raceroller22
4. JibJab325
5. ZyDRAD
6. ShutMedal
7. R1ggs8
8. bezzas1
9. Midzy15 +5 sec
10. Crispy2001
11. KlutzyWinter830
12. II Monkeyy II
13. NRX Cowding
14. SLR Cech
15. SLR Niki (DNF)
16. NRX Stenner (DNF)
17. II Division II (DNF)
18. gho3t COLT (DNF)
19. AJDR1FT2 (DNF)
Klutzywinter830 vs midzy15 lap 30
Verdict: 5s+1LP to midzy15
Reason: midzy is never in a position to overtake klutzy and entering the corner keeps his nose in which leads to a spin. We feel this is klutzy’s corner hence why the penalty has been awarded to midzy
SLR Dylan-track limits in qualifying
Verdict: No further action
Reason: we don’t feel Dylan gains any time from this track extension.
Midzy15 vs SLR Dylan formation lap
Verdict: warning to SLR Dylan
Reason: Dylan catches back up before the end of the formation lap therefore this gap he initially leaves does not affect the race or midzy’s tyre temperatures whatsoever. However, a warning has been issued with a reminder to drivers to make sure their gap to the cars ahead remains close enough throughout the entire formation lap
Midzy15 vs SLR Dylan lap 17
Verdict: No further action
Reason: Although Dylan slightly moves over in the braking zone this doesn’t block midzy at all or affect their battle, their contact comes before this. Therefore no penalty is awarded for this. As for the further incident in s3, we feel that Dylan is uncompromising into the corner but in a similar way to what midzy was to him in an incident at turn 3 in baku. Therefore the reasoning to not award a penalty here is the same as the reasoning in baku.
SLR Dylan vs midzy15 lap 8
Verdict: NFA
Reason; Dylan is not in an overtaking position at any point and leaves his nose in at the apex, resulting in contact between him and midzy. We feel Dylan should have backed out here.
SLR Dylan vs PaRa Quickz Final lap
Verdict: SLR Dylan and PaRa Quickz’s final finishing positions reversed (Dylan takes P1 with PaRa Taking p2)
Reason: Dylan and para engage in a very tight battle through sector 3, making contact several times. We feel this is just racing contact. However Dylan hits the wall from some of this contact and his car ghosts. Para then on the outside of the corner ghosts through his car and therefore takes the victory. At this point, Dylan’s car was marginally ahead of para’s however para had no choice but to ghost through Dylan, subsequently taking the chequered flag first just a few corners later. Therefore we have come to the decision to not penalise para for this with a time pen, but instead reverse their finishing positions. We feel this is the fairest outcome possible of this unusual collision in the third sector given just how close to the end of the race it was and how it’s not really either driver’s fault.
Division One
We kicked the weekend off in Singapore with SLR semm the favourite heading into the weekend after looking very strong during practice in the days leading up to the race.
Semm would set the fastest lap in qualifying to take pole position for the third time this season! SLR Sam on his return as a reserve qualified p2, SLR Connor lined up in p3, badotterTV p4 and bennett just behind in p5
The 5 lights went out and SLR Sam got the jump on semm to lead the race! EliteXriskz currently sitting p3 in the championship just behind Bennett found himself facing backwards after an incident with moley meaning he was now last!
With semm catching Sam the battle for the lead was hotting up and on lap 5 the safety car came out after Morgan crashed out! Semm decided to pit for hards to run to the end of the race whilst Sam stayed out, Connor also chose to stay out whilst bennett followed semm into the pits.
The safety car came in and then a few laps later Sam decided to pit for the hards whilst Connor elected to stay out and run long and once he eventually pitted vapidcoot was now the leader but needed to pit again as he chose to pit for the mediums during the safety car, SLR Semm was in p2 but would comfortably go to the end on his hards, bennett was in p3 also on hards.
Lap 23 and vapidcoot finally pitted meaning Semm was leading, bennett was p2 and the gap between the pair was at a steady 4/5 seconds consistently for well over 10 laps.
Sotierclock110 was in p3.
With 5 laps to go Bennett after driving steadily and saving his tyres knowing Semm had more wear started to push, he had 4 seconds to close to his rival and started cutting the time down quickly, and on the final lap he managed to get himself within a second but with both drivers out of ers it would take soemthing special to get past and take the win on the final lap!
The checkered flag waved and SLR Semm held on and crossed the line to win his first race of the season and his first race since changing from controller to wheel a fantastic and well deserved victory for the Williams driver, SLR Bennett finished p2 closing the gap to championship leader smoke to within 25 points and Sotierclock110 claimed his third podium of the season! Congrats to him also.
Qualifying
Pole Time: 1:35.313
1. SLR Semm
2. SLR Sam
3. SLR Connor
4. BadOtterTV
5. SLR Bennett3810
6. Darren l 22
7. SotierClock110
8. VapidCoot74
9. DPT Paul
10. OwenHowell36
11. Adrian VIII
12. l VR46 l
13. SF1 Moley
14. SLR Morgan
15. LP Smoke
16. QBR20 Savoia
17. ELiTE x RisKz (DNQ)
Race
Fastest Lap: 1:38.172 - SLR Sam
1. SLR Semm
2. SLR Bennett3810
3. SotierClock110
4. SLR Connor
5. VapidCoot74
6. l VR46 l
7. ELiTE x RisKz (+5s)
8. SF1 Moley
9. Adrian VIII
10. BadOtterTV
11. OwenHowell36
12. LP Smoke
13. SLR Sam (RET) (FL)
14. QBR20 Savoia (RET)
15. Darren l 22 (RET)
16. DPT Paul (RET)
17. SLR Morgan (DNF)
Darren l 22 vs SLR Semm - Collision (lap 13)
Outcome: Racing incident
Reason: Darren has a good run on Semm and is attempting a move down the main straight. However Semm is trying to defend the position and places his car in the middle of the track which he's entitled to do. Because of the nature of Singapore, the track closes up and there is no gap to go for a move and Darren simply drives into the back of Semm and spins.
SLR20 Savoia - resetting to track (Lap 14)
Outcome: Quali ban due to DNF + 1LP
Reason: Savoia clearly resets to track which is against the rules. Because he then DNFd later during the race, Savoia will serve a quali ban in his next race.
SF1 Moley Vs ELiTE x RisKz - Collision (lap 1)
Outcome: 5 secs + 2LP for RisKz
Reason: It's lap 1 of the race and the grid are all in a big train. After going through Singapore sling, RisKz hits the back of Moley going through Anderson bridge and spins Moley round. However us stewards have taken into account the fact it's the first lap of the race, everyone is currently racing in a big train, and the bridge is an incredibly difficult part of the track to perfect the braking point especially in a train. This was a complete accident and with all circumstances considered, have given a slightly lenient penalty.
Division 2
In Division 2 this week a wet start to qualifying greeted us. This proved tricky for some as early exits for OG James and division 2 debutant QBR20 Josh. In Q2 the track was now dry with most drivers opting for the medium tyre to set a lap on to start the race apart from Zachisbeast who did his lap on the softs.
In Q3 everyone jumped out the pits as the rain started to fall but it was to be to late as the track got wet very quick so it was back to the pits for the intermediates. It was AWRL who took pole ahead of Zachisbeast who joined him on the front row who would be starting on softs.
To the race then and a lightning start from SLR ALE saw him jump up to 2nd. A couple laps in Another division 2 debutant in QBR20 Traff lost it in the wall and brought out a VSC this allowed Zach to get rid of his soft tyres. On the restart ALE overtook Kevin for the lead.
On lap 8 a drill safety car came out which saw a lot of the field head in to the pits for fresh tyres. GRT Andrew stayed out and now had the lead of the race with J Lee Menz in second on the hard tyres making his return to racing full time.
With fresh tyres SLR ALE quickly went through the field to retake the lead. With Kevin making a mistake dropping him down the order.
On lap 15 we had the battle we all wanted to see between GRT Andrew and Andr3w273878 who was another driver making his debut. Unfortunately was short lived battle though as a pit stop was made.
J Lee menz and ALE also made a stop from the lead and then a safety car on lap 18 meant the pack closed up and allowed others to pit.
Zachisbeast would lead us away on the restart on 9 lap old mediums with others behind on fresher. J Lee menz managed to make the move to take the lead and then we’d see another safety car.
Lots of drivers now choosing to pit for softs to the end of the race. With those soft runners now looking to take advantage and go up the order.
The alpha tauri driver of andr3w273878 made a lovely move on Zach to claim P2 3 laps from the end that was made P1 as J Lee Menz put his car in the wall, which caused a safety car.
On the restart Andr3w273878 checked out and came home for a debut win. Lots of fights in behind for final positions on the last lap. And with in game penalties added, GRT Andrew would claim 2nd making it an Andrew 1-2. GoldenEggFryer continue ld his good form picking up P3. SLR Charlie P4, SLR ALE P5, OG James 6th, Zachisbeast 7th, SLR Leah 8th and the final points position this week goes to AWRL Kevin
Qualifying
Pole Lap: 01.51.693
1. AWRL Kevin
2. ZachIsBeast25
3. SLR Leah
4. SLR ALE
5. Scar B0rga
6. Andr3w273070
7. SLR CHARLIE1
8. GRT Andrew
9. GoldenEggFryer
10. dRaSt1k bLazE
11. SLR Hicklin
12. QBR20 Traff
13. SLR Jack
14. OG James
15. J Lee Menz
16. QBR20 Josh
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.39.044 AWRL Kevin
1. Andr3w273070
2. ZachIsBeast25 -10 sec
3. GRT Andrew
4. GoldenEggFryer
5. SLR CHARLIE1
6. SLR ALE
7. OG James 96
8. SLR Leah +5 sec
9. AWRL Kevin +5 sec
10. J Lee Menz (DNF)
11. SLR Jack (DNF)
12. QBR20 Josh (DNF)
13. dRaSt1k bLazE (DNF)
14. SLR Hicklin (DNF)
15. QBR20 TRAFF (DNF)
16. Scar B0rga (DNF)
Incident - Zach vs 2x5 second penalties
Outcome - both penalties removed, 10 seconds taken off Zach’s race time.
Reason - neither of the penalties were zach’s fault and he provided the correct evidence to show he didn’t serve either in the pits.
Incident - Original vs Kevin
Outcome - 5 Seconds and 1LP to Kevin
Reason - Kevin cuts several corners for no reason
Incident - Charlie vs Leah
Outcome - 5 Seconds and 1LP to Leah
Reason - Leah misses his braking point which comprises Charlie, fortunately Charlie didn’t receive any damage or lose any positions.
Incident - Charlie vs B0rga/Andrew
Outcome - Racing incident
Reason - B0rga’s connection lags him across the track which causes him to spin off, leaving Charlie with nowhere to go, it’s done to B0rga’s connection so nothing can be done.
Division 3
Welcome back to Division 3 round 18 Singapore.
Before we dive into the weekend the championship is only 10 points different at the top between Gregers and LSW L3G3ND44 and we could possibly see a new leader of the championship.
As we go into the weekend, we have 13 qualifiers but in Q1 3 people crashed out leaving 10 for Q2. This means that the other drivers didn’t have to push for their laps and start on any tiers they would like to start their opening laps on. The Qualifying results are; RyanR takes pole, Gregers P2, ChichnRosery P3, Josh P4, EAAIDSDAN P5, Maxwell P6, Warhead P7, Latifi P8, Russell P9, Cxmzn P10.
As we go to the famous red lights the alpine of Latifi wouldn’t move of the start as the other Alpine can’t make T1 and crashed after having a good qualifying. Ryan gets a great start and gets himself a little gap already. As LSW L3G3ND44 has made 5 places so far and so has EAAIDSDAN these two are looking like they have pace.
As we go onto lap 2 Russell has spun and broke his front wing and will have to now slowly make his way to the pits. Russell has crashed into a walk and is the second car to retire out of this race. This did not bring out a VSC or a safety car. As we go into Lap 3 LSW L3G3ND44 is trying a move around the outside of Cxmzn but couldnt get past. As Gregers has spun and crashed out of this race and causes a VSC. This is huge for the championship.
As we go onto Lap 7 and Latifi has now crashed at the last corner and that brings out a full safety car and this is huge because it has now began to rain. This splits the strategy because it’s too early for the inters but the rain will get heavier. As we come to the end of the safety car and everyone is on inters except; EAAIDSDAN, LSW L3G3ND44, Warhead and ChicknRosery.
The safety car comes and so do LSW L3G3ND44, Warhead and ChicknRosery for the interns and EAAIDSDAN has stayed out that’s a big risk as one impact with the wall could end his race.
As we go onto lap 20 where the rain is stopping and it’s time for drys as the top 6 pit at the same time. This is huge because LSW L3G3ND44 is still behind Cxmzn and was struggling with the traction in the wet to get past the Williams driver. As on Lap 21 LSW L3G3ND44 goes down the inside of Cxmzn in T1 and makes the move stick, the gap to the leader is now 13 seconds.
As we are approaching the end of the race L3G3ND44 is closing into RyanR as he might hav damage because he has now came into the pits and this has just gifted the win to LSW L3G3ND44 is they can just keep it out of the walls. The gap behind the leader is now 23 seconds so it looking like a L3G3ND’s win from the back of the field. As now LSW L3G3ND44 will take the chequered flag to win the Singapore weekend in division 3 and lead the championship by 15 points. As Maxwell finishes in P2 another great podium for Maxwell and RyanR comes in P3 after having one of their better drives this season.
This has been Division 3 round 18 Singapore, join us next time with these drivers tackling the tough track of Japan.
Qualifying
Pole Lap: 01.36.557
1. RyanR187206
2. Gregers UK
3. ChicknRosery
4. BcfcJosh
5. I21I Maxwell
6. F1 Warhead
7. RWSRL Latifi
8. SLR Russell
9. I Cxmzn I
10. EAAidsDan53
11. Rosco
12. Baggiefan1995
13. LSW L3g3nd
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.38.794 RyanR187206
1. LSW L3g3nd
2. I 21 I Maxwell
3. RyanR187206
4. F1 Warhead
5. I Cxmzn I
6. ChicknRosey
7. EAAidsDan53
8. Rosco
9. Baggiefan 1995
10. RWSRL Latifi (DNF)
11. Gregers UK (DNF)
12. SLR Russell (DNF)
13. BcfcJosh (DNF)
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