It was a night for fresh new faces in Elite this Sunday with the likes of HamJam2002 & Xx JamHam xX not racing. This meant that we had the likes of SillyBunny47711 and BrindyBoi67 have a go at SLR’s top division, KevinGT9389 returned to the grid for the first time since Spain and a debut for FRA Stringy6792.
It was in fact another FRA Member on pole, but unsurprisingly it was FRA Freeman9 who took pole, making it 10 poles in the 22 races this season. Bezzas1 and Crispy2001 finished the Top 3 of qualifying.
Into the race and raceroller22 had a ridiculous start, which saw him take the lead into turn 1 from P4! FRA Freeman9 fell to 3rd, so had some ground to make up. He did eventually do so but it wasn’t all that easy.
At the end of the race a late safety car split the strategies, which saw the likes of bezzas1 pit from P2... he only dropped to P5, and had a decent chance to win the race.
It went down to the final lap with FRA Freeman9 being caught by bezzas1, with the latter making a move and taking the lead, but then his opponent would retake the lead with not much left of the race. The gap in the end was a mere 0.186s, and was too close to call! FRA Freeman9 would take his 3rd win in elite, and bezzas1 would finish 2nd for the second week running.
The podium was won on a lack of penalties by the man with the blistering start raceroller22, who took his first elite podium with some great pace.
Congrats to all, have a Merry Christmas and we’ll see you on the 29th for the Driver Draw!
Qualifying
Pole Lap: 01.32.408
1. FRA Freeman9
2. bezzas1
3. Crispy2001
4. raceroller22
5. Ryan Jones123
6. SLR Smoke68
7. ZyDRAD
8. BrindyBoi67
9. gho3t COLT
10. SillyBunny47711
11. KevinGT9389
12. Midzy15
13. Hoopolicious
14. V2 x Combat
15. MeRkz47
16. Jito DV
17. UKBeastAssassin
18. SLR Niki
19. FRA Stringy6792
20. Snypz SB
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.36.479 UKBeastAssassin
1. FRA Freeman9
2. bezzas1
3. raceroller22
4. ZyDRAD
5. Ryan Jones123
6. gho3t colt
7. SnypzSB
8. SillyBunny4771
9. BrindyBoi67
10. MeRkz47
11. UKBeastAssassin
12. SLR Niki
13. KevinGT9389
14. Hoopolicious
15. Jito DV
16. SLR Smoke68
17. Crispy2001
18. V2 x Combat DNF
19. FRA Stringy6792 DNF
20. Midzy15 DNF
FRA Freeman9 vs bezzas1
Outcome: no action taken
Reason: caused by lag
Friday night saw Division 1 head to Abu Dhabi for the season finale. With the championship decided it was left for the rest of the grid to battle over the remaining positions. Qualifying once again in the division was very close as usual. We saw reserve driver l VR 46 l again take another pole position with BrindyBoi67 lock of the front row with him. In the race we saw a action packed first lap, with plenty of over takes and some brilliant clean racing. It was again, a race of strategies. With many drivers opting to go with the 2 stop but one, SLR Gooner, choosing to stick with the one stop after a mid race safety car allowed him to make up his mind. And once the leader after the restart SLR McKeon pitted triggering those behind on mediums to pit, Gooner was left to try and push the gap on the field. SLR McKeon, Sillybunny47711 and Cechthisout where left left to battle through the grid after their pit stop for the softs and gain on SLR Gooner. The lead driver held out and took the lead, followed by SLR McKeon P2 and sillybunny47711 in P3. Race result; P1- SLR Gooner P2 - SLR McKeon P3 - Sillybunny47711 Championship final standings; P1 - zzsouthernerzz (Champion) P2 - SLR McKeon P3 - sotierclock110 Another season in division 1 rounded off with a brilliant race. Many thanks to all the drivers, admin and league owners who put in a tremendous effort to run the league and division as well as it is run! On to next season where we look forward to seeing all the new drivers and old in Australia!
Qualifying
Pole Time: 1:33.368
1. l VR46 l
2. BrindyBoi67
3. zZSouthernerZz
4. CechThisOut
5. SLR McKeon
6. SLR ranga
7. SillyBunny47711
8. SLR Gooner
9. Lil Wiggyy
10. SLR Connor
11. Riggsey x
12. Il Monkeyy lI
13. SotierClock110
14. SLR Kolka
15. Duncan7221
16. ARL PReDaToRZz
17. SLR Liamm
18. Kovaqq
19. ImBrrando
20. tooman3sweets
Race:
Fastest Lap: 1:34.567 - SLR Kolka
1. SLR Gooner
2. SLR McKeon
3. SillyBunny47711
4. CechThisOut
5. l VR46 l
6. SotierClock110
7. zZSouthernerZz
8. SLR ranga
9. ARL PReDaToRZz
10. Duncan7221 (+10s)
11. BrindyBoi67
12. SLR Liamm
13. Riggsey x
14. SLR Kolka (FL)
15. SLR Connor (DNF)
16. Kovaqq (DNF)
17. Lil Wiggyy (DNF)
18. ImBrrando (DNF)
19. tooman3sweets (DNF)
20. Il Monkeyy lI (DNF)
Duncan7221 - reset to track
Outcome: 10s +2LP
Reason: it doesn’t matter where on the track you are, it would be safer to wait for oncoming cars to pass before Re-joining the track.
ARL PReDaToRZz vs Duncan7221
Outcome: no penalty given
Reason: incident was caused by lag. Unfortunately ARL PReDaToRZz is caught out by the game’s dodgy mechanics.
Just like that, the snap of the fingers, the season is over! It’s gone so fast! Abu Dhabi has now come and gone, and now it’s time for a well earned Christmas break.
Anyways, onto Abu Dhabi results. Big news coming into the week that the big 3 of SLR Semm, the champion bennett628 and newly-named SLR Rando were going to retire from Q1 and start from the back. And so they did, fair play to them, which really opened the window for a possible surprise pole. After SLR Teddy unfortunately crashed in Q1 and the likes of the AlphaTauri’s not setting clean laps in Q3, a monster lap from MRC R Leah gave him pole number 2 this season - the previous being back in China!
Everyone would’ve thought that there was no chance of SLR Semm equalling the record of 5 wins in a row, but even starting from P16 the luck still swung his way and he got it done... Yes. I’m blaming it on luck.
Anyways, a 3-second penalty looked like SLR Semm would lose the race win after the late safety car but SLR Rando decided he would become everyone’s least favourite driver of the night by holding up Coupe a Benz enough that he couldn’t get his first win. Not cool, Rando, not cool. Must say a massive congrats to Benz for getting his best result of the season despite being robbed of the win.
MRC R Leah would return to the podium for the first time since Austria from pole with a great P3, showing that great pace he’s had all season which got him P4 in the championship.
Yet again ZachIsBeast25 impressed massively by getting P4 and showing us just why he belongs at P5 in the championship, whilst SLR Barlow reached 100 points for the season in P5 and OwenHowell36 reached an SLR career total 100 points in P6. About damn time. Still hasn’t got his podium yet either...
I’ll leave you on an interesting stat though, that the top 10 finishers tonight actually became the top 10 finishers in the Div 2 standings! I think that makes sense, but after Owen went up to P9 in the standings it made it work. This meant that Rando got P7, bennett628 rounded off his championship winning season in P8, Original96 managed P9 in the Merc and everyone’s favourite Irishman AG ll Panther finished in P10. Was hard luck for the two debutants this week in Xx Allen xX7679 and LSW L3G3ND44, where the former was unable to finish and the latter managed P12. Good luck to both of them in the new season, as with everyone.
Have a Happy and Healthy Christmas folks, especially now that we know that we weren’t the dirtiest division in the league this season cough cough div 3.
Qualifying
Pole Time: 1:33.888
1. MRC R Leah
2. Coupe a Benz
3. SLR Barlow
4. OwenHowell36
5. ZachIsBeast25
6. LSW L3G3ND44
7. Original96
8. AG ll Panther
9. ChickeN FikR
10. rockamad73
11. SLR Morgan
12. Xx Allen xX7679
13. jacksondog123
14. SLR iCallum
15. SLR Teddy
16. SLR Nealix
17. SLR Semm
18. bennett628
19. SLR Rando
20. SLR Hicklin
Race
Fastest Lap: 1:37.025 - SLR Rando
1. SLR Semm
2. Coupe a Benz
3. MRC R Leah
4. ZachIsBeast25
5. SLR Barlow
6. OwenHowell36
7. SLR Rando (FL)
8. bennett628
9. Original96
10. AG ll Panther
11. SLR Nealix
12. LSW L3G3ND44
13. SLR Hicklin
14. SLR Teddy (DNF)
15. rockamad73 (DNF)
16. SLR Morgan (DNF)
17. ChickeN FikR (DNF)
18. SLR iCallum (DNF)
19. Xx Allen xX7679 (DNF)
20. jacksondog123 (DNF)
Original vs Rando
Outcome - racing incident
Reason - we feel Rando left enough room for original on the inside but the broken contact system is what caused the spin.
Dawzie - Readying up early
Outcome - 7LP
Reason - readied up early on the grid
The final race of the season delivered what was the most thrilling climax to any season between SLR B33n and Craigfk who were separated by only 7 points and both gunning for a league title. It was Craigfk who took pole and lead the field off on lap 1 with Sphh in P2, Lofty4794 in P3 and SLR B33n back in P4. Cal M Smith was in no mood to allow SLR B33n an easy race as he attempted an overtake into the chicane at turns 4 and 5 and pushed SLR B33n down into P5 before the end of sector 1. While near the back of the field Aflyinglemon318 and l21l Maxwell looked to have made errors ahead of T4. Going into the second chicane of turns 7 & 8 SLR B33n was able to claim P4 back from Cal M Smith and then got a good run on Lofty4794 into the 2nd DRS straight and was looking for P3 heading into sector 3. The end of lap 1 brought the safety car as there was a big incident involving Cal M Smith, SLR Hyperz & GrumpyOrange976 with all 3 retiring due to terminal damage. Lap 2 then brought SLR B33n, SLR Colden and SLR Russell into the pits for early stops which would have been music to Craigfk`s ears who was still out in front. The safety car then came back in at the end of lap 4 with Craigfk in P1, Sphh in P2 and Crafti3stJ3st3r in P3. At the end of lap 5, SLR B33n made what looked to be a very easy pass on Charliesaysno into P6 as he was beginning to fight his way back up from the early pitstop while Craigfk set the fastest lap of the race so far. Lap 6 and SPhh in P2 spun out at T3 and ended his race with terminal damage moving Crafti3stJ3st3r into P2 and SLR Dodgy into P3 as the VSC was then called out. At the end of the VSC it was SLR Gareth making the headway as he made a pass on c0w3n into P10 into the 3rd chicane while SLR dolph1n was having issues in sector 3 spinning out and dropping down to P14 followed by l21l Maxwell getting damage at T15 dropping into P12.
On lap 7 SLR b33n then made a pass on Spr1ghtly into P4 as he was making strong headway towards the top 3 and trying to chase down the title. Lap 8 then saw SLR Dodgy making a DRS assisted move on Crafti3stJ3st3r into the sector 3 chicane having to hold the outside of T9 to make the pass into P2 while Crafti3stJ3st3r pitted giving SLR B33n P3 heading into lap 9. Lap 11 then saw SLR Colden who was having a great race make a move up into P5 as he made the pass on Charliesaysno in sector 3. Lap 11 the championship battle then got spiced up as Craigfk came in for his stop onto mediums as SLR Dodgy took the lead of the race with SLR B33n right behind in P2. SLR b33n then made the move for the lead on lap 12 using the DRS zone to make the pass into the T7 chicane as Craigfk had re-joined the race in P6 and had some work to do. SLR Dodgy then had a look back at SLR b33n in the 2nd DRS zone ahead of the 3rd chicane only for SLR B33n to defend making SLR Dodgy avoid a collision. The drama continued as on lap 13 after taking the lead SLR b33n crashed on T3 and got wing damage giving the lead back to SLR Dodgy as Spr1ghtly has moved into P3, SLR Colden P4 and SLR Gareth P5. As SLR B33n then pitted at the end of lap 13 this then gave the advantage back to Craigfk in the championship battle. Into lap 14 and Craigfk was then battling with SLR B33n`s teammate SLR Gareth as they battled round the first chicane and then SLR Gareth pushed Craigfk wide into the DRS straight as Craigfk then eventually took P4 into the second chicane. Lap 15 then saw Spr1ghtly in P2 spin out at T3 as SLR Colden moved up to P2 with Spr1ghtly dropping to P6. By this point in the race the championship was going to Craigfk in P3 as SLR B33n was back in P8. Craigfk then made a pass on SLR Colden on the 2nd DRS straight into P2 and at this point it was looking comfortable for Craigfk. More drama then followed as SLR Russell spun at T3 followed by Aflyinglemon318 at T1 and another VSC.
As race leader SLR Dodgy passed Aflyinglemon318 he was then penalised with a drive through penalty for speeding under the VSC. Could this race deliver anymore twists? The VSC then ended and any hopes of SLR Dodgy taking his drive through penalty were smashed as another safety car was then called as SLR Russell crashed out in sector 3. This then gave SLR B33n a lifeline in the title battle. SLR Dodgy decided to pit for soft tyres which gave Craigfk the race lead as SLR B33n also came in for soft tyres to push until the end. As the safety car came in at the end of lap 18 SLR Dodgy then tried to serve his penalty only to have to pit again due to not being allowed to serve the drive through as the green flags had not been waved effectively ending his race. Lap 19 and Craigfk was leading, Charliesaysno was P2 with SLR Colden in P3. As we headed into the 2nd DRS straight there was a 3-car battle for P2 as SLR Colden made the move on Charliesaysno while Crafti3stJ3st3r also make a move up the inside into P2 as SLR Colden was pegged back into P4 with SLR B33n right on the back of the 3 in P5. SLR Colden then made the pass into P3 in sector 3 taking the place from Charliesaysno who then let SLR B33n passed very easily into P4 as Craigfk set the fastest lap to potentially gain the extra point. Lap 19 an SLR B33n then made a move past SLR Colden into P3 at the T4 chicane with a late move on the softer tyres and made it stick. Then lap 20 SLR B33n took the fastest race lap meaning if he could get into 2nd place it was title over for Craigfk as he was only now 0.5s behind Crafti3stJ3st3r in P2. Then on lap 21 SLR B33n made the pass into P2 and with 7 laps remaining it was SLR B33ns title while SLR Gareth made the pass on SLR Colden into P4. SLR b33n then put in yet another fastest lap which meant he was looking likely to win the title from Craigfk.
Lap 23 and in another twist SLR B33n then picked up a 3 second penalty for multiple warnings. Could this be the difference in the title decision at the end of the race? Then in yet another swing SLR Dodgy pulled out the fastest lap taking the extra point away from SLR B33n which could be instrumental come the end. Lap 23 and now Crafti3stJ3ster was fighting SLR b33n for P2 into the 3rd chicane and this could turn the tides even further but SLR B33n held onto P2. By lap 25 Crafti3stJ3st3r had lost DRS to SLR B33n and had SLR Gareth chasing him down for a P3 battle. As we hit the final lap there were no further battles which meant that despite winning the race, Craigfk was going to lose out on the title to SLR B33n on race performance countback as they would share the same points. Craigfk did then take the race chequered flag in P1 with SLR b33n in P2 and SLR Colden took P3 on penalties in what meant that the division 3 title would be going to SLR B33n. However, there was to be yet another twist in the tale of division 3 that nobody could have foreseen. Due to a rule breach on the formation lap by SLR B33n the stewards then deemed SLR B33n to have broken the formation lap car gap rule meaning he was given a 3 second penalty. In another dramatic twist this then meant that SLR B33n was dropped back into P4 and meant that Craigfk was to be the title winner on points. WOW!!!! Final placings for the race were Craigfk in 1st, SLR Colden in 2nd, CraftiestJ3st3r 3rd, SLR B33n in 4th, SLR Gareth 5th, l21l Maxwell 6th, Lofty4794 7th, SLR Dodgy 8th, SLR St2oh 9th and C0w3n in 10th.
Qualifying
Pole Lap: 01.33.854
1. craigfk
2. Sphh
3. Lofty4794
4. SLR b33n
5. Cal M Smith
6. SLR COLDEN
7. Crafti3stJ3st3r
8. SLR St2oH
9. I 21 I Maxwell
10. SLR Hyperz
11. SLR Dodgy
12. GrumpyOrange976
13. SLR Stevooo
14. SPR1GTHLY
15. SLR Russell
16. SLR Dolphin
17. cOw3n
18. charliesaysno
19. SLR Gareth
20. Aflyingleomn318
Race
Fastest Lap: 01.37.715 SLR Dodgy
1. craigfk
2. SLR COLDEN
3. Crafti3stJ3st3r
4. SLR b33n +3 sec
5. SLR Gareth
6. I 21 I Maxwell
7. Lofty4794
8. SLR Dodgy
9. SLR St2oH
10. cOw3n
11. charliesaysno
12. SPR1GHTLY
13. SLR Stevooo
14. SLR Dolphin DNF
15. SLR Russell DNF
16. Aflyinglemon318 DNF
17. Sphh DNF
18. Cal M Smith DNF
19. GrumpyOrange976 DNF
20. SLR Hyperz DNF
SLR b33n (Formation lap)
OUTCOME: Gap exceeding 3s to the car in front for longer than 10s +3s SLR b33n
REASON: SLR b33n has been shown to be outside the 3s allowance when following on formation lap for almost double the allowance. There fore resulting in a 3 second penalty.
Rule 9.2 states the gap between cars must not exceed 3 seconds for a prolonged period. Rule 9.3 states If ‘9.2’ occurs, then time penalties may be given. Stewards have made the decision to go ahead and penalise this breach of this league rule due to the fact that this puts the cars in front at a disadvantage.
In regards to the defence statement provided this makes no difference that the cars in front managed to keep position.
Drivers should be reminded the rules are implemented for a reason to keep driving as safe and fair as possible.
Lofty (Formation lap)
OUTCOME: Warning
REASON: Due to Lofty entering the reforming grid stage of the formation lap no action is needed.
Warning - Please keep to the correct gap to the car in front during formation lap regardless of how far back the driver behind is to you.
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