McKeon
Quali: it rained. A few people binned it at eau rouge, some others binned it elsewhere. Midzy got pole (again). Shoutout to riggsey for getting into q3 despite being on inters when it was a monsoon.
The race:
There was an interesting mix of strategies. The choice between a soft or medium start was a difficult one and most went mediums. Noticeable exceptions of para and jibjab. Para had a perfect start, firstly getting up into second by the end of lap 1 and then passing midzy on lap 3. It was Certainly shaping up to be an exciting race Further behind there was chaos though. A turn 1 incident caused semm and monkeyy to retire, with several other drivers sustaining damage.
As the race developed it was clear there were 2 camps. Jibjab, ZyDRAD and para, who pitted early on the softs and everyone else on the mediums. The medium runners would get some luck though. A perfectly timed safety car gave them a free pit stop. Para, zy and jibjab, who elected to pit again for softs, lost a few places due to this.
This meant the battle for the win was between crowding and midzy, with raceroller and ogween waiting in the wings. Crowding was running a low downforce setup so if he could stay with midzy, he had a shot into the final lap. Unfortunately for crowding he made a mistake that lost him drs. This meant that ogween and roller passed him!
So the final result was midzy, raceroller and ogween on the podium. Congratulations to midzy for a 5th successive win, equalling the SLR record. He can also wrap up the title next week if he outscores raceroller by 9 points.
Qualifying
Pole Lap: 01.54.775
1. BMidzy15
2. Mr Ogween 77
3. JibJab325
4. ETE Crowding
5. PaRa Quickz
6. Chungusgoat1
7. VRA Andres
8. raceroller22
9. Riggsey x
10. Jito DV
11. V2 x Combat
12. SLR Griffiths
13. SLR Southerner
14. MeRekz47
15. ZyDRAD
16. SLR Bennett628
17. ETE Semm
18. KevinGT9389
19. II Monkeyy II
20. TMS SORA
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.43.713 BMidzy15
1. BMidzy15
2. raceroller22
3. Mr Ogween77
4. ETE Crowding
5. PaRa Quickz
6. SLR Southerner
7. SLR Griffiths
8. JibJab325 +5 sec
9. ZyDRAD
10. Jito DV
11. SLR Bennett628
12. VRA Andres
13. KevingGT9389
14. V2 x Combat (DNF)
15. MeRkz47 (DNF)
16. TMS SORA (DNF)
17. Riggsey x (DNF)
18. Chungusgoat1 (DNF)
19. II Monkeyy II (DNF)
20. ETE Semm (DNF)
Incident involving ZyDrad & JibJab325 - Lap 16 (Causing a collision)
Outcome: 5s + 2LP awarded to JibJab for causing a collision
Reason: Contrary to Jibjab’s claims that it was his corner, Zydrad is alongside enough to be warranted sufficient room to go side-by-side through the chicane at the end of the kemmel straight. Jibjab turns in as if he is taking the normal racing line, and causes a collision resulting in Zydrad losing time and potentially positions in another scenario.
Incident involving Merkz47 & SLR Bennett - Lap 1 (Causing a collision)
Outcome: 5s + 2LP awarded to SLR Bennett for causing a collision
Reason: Contrary to Bennett’s argument that he couldn’t have done a lot, the stewards recognised that he was on the power going through La Source, and this in part careers his car into Merkz’s. Highly avoidable by coming off the power, and thus tightening the turning circle of the car. While the fact it's T1, L1 is considered, the fact that the incident affected multiple cars in a significant way also has to be considered as well. Thus 2LP and 5s awarded.
Division 1
Spa as always threw up many surprises and twists and turns. After a disjointed qauly session we got action as soon as the lights went out. Well actually before the lights went out as two drivers of Arb0n EPA and SLR ranga jumped the start causing themselves to get drive through penalties which obviously sent them too the back of the field.
For their sakes the blushes where spared as a full course saftey car came out for a heavily collison at Eau rouge between J Lee menz and DPT Paul on lap 2. Ham,Jam, championship leader Cech, Arb0n and ranga all pit for fresh tyres whilst the rest stayed out.
Meanwhile at the front UK beast assassin lead the way on his soft tyres trying to stretch the pack but everyone was holding firm till the end of lap 6 with SLR Vandoorne loosing his front wing with a spin at stavilo 1 which broke the train for midfield runners. Then at the start of lap 7 things broke up at the front due to battling from the trio of Shut medal, Qauttro and SimbarocksONE the two leaders of beast and elite riskz pulled away from the field and look to run their own races.
Next big moment came on lap 8 with championship leader stranded at the back on hards went for a spin on lap 8 and he also got wing damage and with no other saftey car his race was a lost cause and just about damage limitation.
Then came the pit stops Shut medal,Beast and qauttro all pitted from thier soft tyres and came out with a solid gap to the people who pitted under SC. Slr Jam was making good progress on his fresh mediums getting past arb0n who had his game paused and Zachisbeast in the mclaren in quick succession whilst all the pit stops was going on.
On lap 11 we got our next crash with Arbon spinning off at no name corner smashing into the wall and somehow still having all 4 wheels on his car. Lap 12 Jam got past his brother ham up into p3 and showing he has the confidence to overtake around Spa.
On lap 12 Elite came into the pits for his soft tyres to charge through the pack and did he do that just he carved his way through the field to take his first victory in SLR this season and closes the championship lead to cech who managed to claw his way back into p9 to minimal points.
The brothers round out the podium as the midfield action wasn't amazing after lap 12 as the train was taking full effect. However correct strategy calls put themselves into play and well done to them both.
With the championship heating up we head to the sunny circuit of monza to see who can take the next step towards the title.
Qualifying
Pole Lap: 01.41.950
1. ELiTE x Riskz
2. SLR Ham19
3. SLR Jam40
4. UKBeastAssassin
5. Arb0n EPA
6. ShutMedal
7. SLR ranga
8. SimbarocksONE
9. SLR Vandoorne
10. SLR Cech
11. ZachIsBeast25
12. DPT Paul
13. SLR Quttro
14. DPT Alfie
15. J Lee Menz
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.44.225 SimbarocksONE
1. EliTE x Riskz
2. SLR Jam40
3. SLR Ham19
4. SLR Quattro
5. UKBeastAssassin
6. SimbarocksONE
7. ShutMedal
8. ZachIsBeast25
9. SLR Cech
10. SLR Vandoorne
11. Arb0n EPS
12. DPT Alfie (DNF)
13. SLR ranga (DNF)
14. J Lee Menz (DNF)
15. DPT Paul (DNF)
Division 2
Round 11 of the championship took us to one of the most renowned tracks on the calendar, Spa-Francorchamps. I VR46 I comes into the round with a fantastic opportunity to extend his lead at the top of the championship. This is due to his teammate and closest challenger VapidCoot74 missing the race.
The Qualifying battle was a very tight affair in Q3. With 4 drivers setting 1:43 dead’s heading into the final runs. Only 2 were able to improve into the 1:42’s that being SLR Liamm and BadOtterTV. Liam claimed pole position with a 1:42.741 and BadOtter was agonisingly close on a 1:42.779. The championship leader VR was down in 5th place so left himself a lot of work to do during the race.
Onto the race and the five red lights going out for the carnage that ensued. SLR Liamm managed to hold onto P1 through the first corner, keeping BadOtterTV just behind. Worth noting that Liam is starting the race on the medium compound and BadOtter the Softs. So BadOtter will be desperate to make a move early.
As the drivers approached Eau Rouge and Raidillon for the first time you could sense the trepidation. But everyone managed to make it through unscathed. The difference in confidence between drivers was clear to see. SLR Moley managed to lose 4 positions along the Kemmel Straight due to taking the previous section poorly. Whereas OwenHowell36 went in the opposite direction gaining 3 places in one swift move.
At the end of lap 1 SLR Liamm still holds onto the lead with BadOtterTV sat right behind him. SouthRaptor966 is the driver who made the most gains on the first lap going from 11th to 5th.
The order remains the same for lap 2 but of course lap 3 is what BadOtter was waiting for, that DRS activation. With DRS BadOtter was able to breeze past Liam on the Kemmel Straight and take the lead of the Grand Prix. Unfortunately for Liam that wasn’t the only position he lost. In Les Combes he got onto the curb unsettling the car which allowed Kemence61 and MasonGammon05 through too. So in a matter of seconds Liam unfortunately drops from P1 to P4.
BadOtters lead was a short one as he ends in the wall at turn 14. It looked like the rear end just kicked out him on, a mistake that saw him tumble all the way down the field. This gifted the lead of the race to his Williams teammate Kemence61.
Fast forward to lap 8 and the field has spread out due to a few spinning and needing to pit for damage. Plus drivers just entering a tyre saving mode. The lead of the race is still contested between Kemence and MasonGammon. It is at this point on the Kemmel Straight MasonGammon is able to utilise the DRS to take the lead of the race. Still no retirements which is a good showing at Spa.
But it isn’t long till we have a retirement. But not just a retirement but the safety car is released! SLR Allen loses control of the car going up Raidillon and ends up in the wall. Not the first driver to lose it there so far, but the first to lose a wheel on the wagon. This happened on lap 9, going onto 10 for the leaders.
All drivers utilise this as the perfect opportunity to get off the tyres they started on or if they’ve already pitted due to damage some new rubber. There was a real mixture of tyres selected between the Softs and the mediums, seems bit of a stretch to take a set of softs 12 laps but a few drivers seemed open to the challenge. One driver also went onto the hard compound.
The safety car returns to the pits on lap 13 and we are back underway. MasonGammon goes for a early launch on the restart which worked brilliantly allowing him to hold onto the lead and create a 1.7 second lead by the end of sector one. Kemence is currently P2 with SLR Liamm in P3.
On the final corner of lap 14 OwenHowell36 loses control of his car, ending up in the wall and causing our second safety car of the afternoon. This safety car brought up the question for those that pitted on lap 9 for Softs if they remain on their current tyres or pit for fresh boots.
Only 2 drivers take the opportunity to pit for fresh tyres those being ARL PReDaToRZz and Simon37M. The question is will they be able to utilise those fresh Softs and work their way through the field to gain anything.
The safety car returns to the pits on lap 18 leaving us a 5 lap sprint to the end. MasonGammon is able to lose Kemence on the restart again, creating himself a 8 tenth gap as they cross the start line. Liamm is all over the back of Kemence looking to get through into second.
Lap 19 and into turn 10 LSW L3G3ND44 sends a late lunge down the inside of his teammate Liamm. A move which see bins up into P3. Both of the drivers ahead have time penalties so can Legend hold onto the cars ahead for his first win in division 2?
It becomes a 4 car battle for third place with only a couple laps remaining. This is allowing the front 2 to pull away, something they badly need due to those penalties. SLR Morgan and I VR46 I manage to get past SLR Liamm. This sees Liam drop down into P6 something which I am sure will frustrate the McLaren driver after being in the podium hunt for so long. But could penalties change all of that?
Onto the final lap MasonGammon has a 2 second lead to Kemence in 2nd place, so looks set to take the win on track. However with 6 seconds worth of penalties looks set to tumble down the order, potentially even off the podium. On the Kemmel Straight SLR Morgan is able to overtake Legend got P3 but again with penalties he very well may fall a long way down the order.
As the leaders are crossing the line, further own the field at the fast left hander of turn 18. CSCMorris seems to lose it on the curb. A moment which results in the end of the race for himself and legendarydannyd. 2 corners away from scoring points to then get nothing must be so frustrating for both drivers.
So MasonGammon does indeed cross the line first followed by Kemence and SLR Morgan. Once the order settles due to so many penalty positional movements it is in fact LSW L3G3ND44 who takes the win due to a penalty free race. Kemence61 takes P2 and MasonGammon05 P3. Unfortunately for SLR Morgan he drops all the way to P8 after penalties.
Thank you for reading what was a eventful race as always with Spa-Francorchamps. Join us next week when we go to the temple of speed at Monza for the Italian Grand Prix.
Qualifying
Pole Lap: 01.42.741
1. SLR Liamm
2. BadOtterTV
3. legendarydannyd
4. Kemence61
5. IVR46I
6. LSW L3G3ND44
7. MasonGammon05
8. OwenHowell36
9. SLR Moley
10. Simon37M
11. SouthRaptor966
12. Adrian VIII
13. M Mcloughlin x
14. CSCMorris
15. SLR Morgan
16. ARL PReDaToRZz
17. SLR Allen
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.44.332 Adrian VII
1. LSW L3G3ND44
2. Kemence61
3. IVR46I
4. MasonGammon05
5. SLR Liamm
6. Adrian VII
7. BadOtterTV
8. SLR Morgan
9. SLR Moley
10. ARL PReDaToRZz
11. M Mcloughlin x
12. SouthRaptor966
13. CSCMorris
14. legendarydannyd
15. Simon37M (DNF)
16. OwenHowell36 (DNF)
17. SLR Allen (DNF)
Simon Vs BadOtter - 5s and 1LP to BadOtter for causing minor wing damage.
There is a period of good side-by-side racing between the pair initially but into turn 10 Otter cuts across Simon's line causing minor wing damage.
Simon VS Liam - Qualifying Ban and 3LP for SLR Liamm
Whilst Simon has already invalidated his lap, it is clear that he is still pushing. Liam has plenty of opportunities to pull off the racing line and let him through, but goes slowly through turns 15 and 16, causing Simon to take avoiding action, resulting in terminal damage.
BadOtter Vs Owen - Qualifying Ban and 3LP for OwenHowell 36
Owen moves across the middle of the track as Otter is on a flying lap, causing a major distraction to the Williams driver.
Danny Vs CSCMorris - Qualifying Ban and 3LP for CSCMorris for causing terminal damage.
The evidence provided to us shows Morris go off the track at turn 17 and then re-join dangerously into the side of Danny, causing terminal damage.
Division 3
In division this week and extremely tight end to qualifying saw SLR Jack, SLR Charlie and Alpeh all separated by less than a tenth , with Alpeh getting himself the pole spot by a whisker.
To the race then and return to action for Charlie saw him take the lead off the start and look to stay ahead. A 5 car drs train formed with slr Leah the first to pull the trigger and came out ahead of the train who tried to react to the pit stop.
Leah couldn’t hold the lead though with a mistake and a spin saw the end of his race.
A safety car came out and the field decided to pit for fresh softs. Charlie was leading and Alpeh just behind with all fresh softs. Alpeh lost it soon after unfortunately for him this left fat ted behind Charlie.
A charging SLR Jack was now behind in 3rd and an unfortunate disconnect for ted meant he couldn’t fight Jack for P2. This left Charlie clear to claim the win. SLR Jack in P2 keeps the championship lead. Ssr halo had a great drive to claim P3. RRT Codzilla was P4. Fat ted24 P5, dimplyhornet P6. SLR xhaka P7. Aps apie P8. Thatguy P9. DRaSt1k bLaZe picked up the final point in P10
Quialfying
Pole Lap: 01.42.938
1. Alpeh
2. SLR CHARLIE1
3. SLR Jack
4. DimplyHornet862
5. RRTCODZILLA
6. SLR Leah
7. SSR Halo
8. SLR Xhaka
9. SLR James96
10. ChicknRosery
11. GoldenEggFryer
12. BcfcJoch1232752
13. dRdSt1k bLaZe
14. APS Aple
15. THATGUY691244
16. Fat Ted24
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.45.237 SLR Jack
1. SLR CHARLIE1
2. SLR Jack
3. SSR Halo
4. RRTCODZILLA
5. Fat Ted24
6. DimplyHornet
7. SLR Xhaka
9. THATGUY691244
8. APS Aple +10 sec
10. dRaSt1k bLazE +10 sec
11. SLR James96
12. Alpeh (DNF)
13. ChicknRosery (DNF)
14. GoldenEggFfyer (DNF)
15. BcfcJosh1232752 (DNF)
16. SLR Leah (DNF)
APS APIE - Retiring On Track
Outcome: 10 Second Penalty + 3LPs
GoldenEggFryer vs Bcfcjosh1232752 - Lap 1
Outcome: 5 Second Penalty + 2LPs
Reason: Josh goes wide into turn 8 and comes back across the track completely disregarding GoldenEggFryer who's on the inside and makes contact and causes him to spin
SLR James96 vs dRaSt1k bLazE - Unsafe Rejoin Onto Track
Outcome: 10 Second Penalty + 3lps
Reason: dRaSt1k bLazE spins on the exit of turn 9 and immediately comes back onto the track as SLR James96 is driving past and making contact with him causing him to go off track aswell
Division 4
Qualifying
Pole lap: 01.53.434
1. DarkstormQC
2. F1 Warhead
3. BigBag92
4. SLR Marsh
5. SmitHPDanX01
6. JPPGaming96
7. Rsf1 Pazuzu
8. xxxx Rosco xxxx
9. SLR St2oH
10. Timole2511
11. SLR Floersch
12. I21I Maxwell
13. PopcornJoe5822
14. SLR Russell
15. Stevobrick
16. I Cxmzn I
17. VillaSquirel312
18. SLR Hicklin
19. Baggiefan 1995
20. Beethoven974
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.46.545 beethoven974
1. JPPGaming96
2. Rsf1 Pazuzu
3. SmitHPDanX01 +5 sec
4. BigBag92
5. Baggiefan 1995
6. F1 Warhead
7. I21I Maxwell +10 sec
8. Timole2511 +5 sec
9. SLR Marsh
10. DarkstormQC
11. PopcornJoe5822 +15 sec
12. Beethoven974 +10 sec
13. Stevobrick
14. SLR Floersch
15. SLR St2oH (DNF)
16. xxxx Rosco xxxx (DNF)
17. I Cxmzn I (DNF)
18. VilaSquirel312 (DNF)
19. SLR Russell (DNF)
20. SLR Hicklin (DNF)
Incident 1: Stevobrick vs SLR Floersch - Lap 14, Forcing another driver off track/Causing a collision
Outcome: Racing incident
Reason: The gap SLR Floersch enters is there, as Stevobrick turns in to the corner when SLR Floersch is already alongside. Due to the differing lines into the corner there is contact. Unfortunately the contact is awkward and both drivers end up off track, Stevobrick is able to keep going where as SLR Floersch spins his car well after the contact. Thus we believe neither driver is fully at fault and it is a racing incident.
Incident 2: SLR Floersch vs PopcornJoe5822 - lap 21, Causing a collision
Outcome: 15 second time penalty and 4 license points to PopcornJoe5822
Reason: PopcornJoe5822 just leaves no space for SLR Floersch completely forcing him off track and giving him major damage. PopcornJoe5822 acts as if SLR Floersch is not there when he is more than alongside.
Incident 3: Rsf1 Pazuzu vs SmitHPDanX01 - Lap 22, Causing a collision
Outcome: 5 second time penalty and 1 license point to SmitHPDanX01
Reason: SmitHPDanX01 cuts across Rsf1 Pazuzu when Rsf1 Pazuzu has gotten partially alongside with his front wing, therefore we deem he is entitled to be left the space.
Incident 4: Beethoven974 vs l 21 l Maxwell - Lap 1, Causing a collision
Outcome: 5 second time penalty and 2 license points to l 21 l Maxwell
Reason: l 21 l Maxwell brakes significantly whilst going up Eau Rouge without real reason, as there are no cars directly in front. This leaves no time for Beethoven974 to react and thus he gets damage from the collision.
Incident 5: Timole2511 vs PopcornJoe5822 - Lap 21, causing a collision
Outcome: 5 second time penalty and 2 license points to Timole2511
Reason: Timole2511 re-enters the track and just collides with PopcornJoe5822 forcing him to go off the other side of the track.
Incident 6: Beethoven974 vs l 21 l Maxwell - Lap 20, Overtaking under saftey car
Outcome: 10 second time penalty and 3 license points to Beethoven974.
Reason: Beethoven974 overtakes multiple cars whilst under the Safety Car, travelling far too quickly. When l 21 l Maxwell tries to regain his position the game then informs him to return the position to Beethoven974, thus Beethoven974 has gained from illegal overtakes.
Incident 7: St2oH vs l 21 l Maxwell - Lap 17, causing a collision
Outcome: 10 second time penalty and 3 license points to l 21 l Maxwell
Reason: St2oh does not close the gap that is open on his right, and l 21 l Maxwell has tried to move into that space, however in doing so he hits St2oh's rear wheel causing him to spin across l 21 l Maxwell. The stewards believe l 21 l Maxwell should have not tried to continue the move once contact was made.
Note: Beethoven974 and PopcornJoe5822 have now reached the license point threshold for a Qualifying Ban at their next race.
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