F1RWRS -- 2014 Season

[Aerond]

That's 9pm in Madrid time Aerond?

Yup.

Qualifying results up (page 56)

[dr-baker]

Pippa on her comeback immediately outqualifys Douglas, something that Jack Christopherson was only able to do once in the previous 8 rounds? And already looking promising for points? Hmmm, interesting...

[JeremyMcClean]

Bosevic, y u no faster than Melrose?

[Klon]

73 years old Leonhard Von Gottorp beats young Mika Fäkkinen ... you still got it! *clap-clap-clap-clap*

[Aerond]

Live race commentary here:

http://zippychat.com/room/18394

[dr-baker]

Live race commentary here:

http://zippychat.com/room/18394

Guessing I'll be a bit late to the party, so will just wait with anticipation for the published race result!

[DanielPT]

Strange that Falik hasn't commented on my qualifying performance yet...

[Klon]

That finish was about as useless as a retirement. Well, nice to know my car can cross the line for once. Yeah, Shin finished in front of me - far ahead, in fact. Her setup was better and the car highlights her style, I just was not able to challenge her this weekend. The worst thing is that that idiot Mori will surely gloat about beating me, which wouldn't have happened if I had not lost time at the stops and having met Zimsanity in a bad place, costing me more time trying to not get punted off the track.

[Nuppiz]

Considering the Super License requirements, what do you think about this proposal: viewtopic.php?p=137508#p137508

[AndreaModa]

May I suggest putting the idea forward in the F1RTA thread?

The link is here: http://www.f1rejects.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4650

[FMecha]

Yet another DNPQ?

[Aerond]

Race results up! (Page 56)

---

TWO RACE BAN FOR FRANK ZIMMER

The F1RWRS commission has decided to award a two race ban to GRM´s driver Frank Zimmer after the accidents suffered by Nathanael Spencer and Jesus Plaza when racing him at the latest race in Norisring. The penalty is not suspended and will have to take inmediate effect at the next two races at Spa and Monza. Frank Zimmer had an starring performance when he took out Spencer in a very dangerous accident. Some newspapers have titled the event as "Zimmsanity"

[tristan1117]

TWO RACE BAN FOR FRANK ZIMMER

The F1RWRS commission has decided to award a two race ban to GRM´s driver Frank Zimmer after the accidents suffered by Nathanael Spencer and Jesus Plaza when racing him at the latest race in Norisring. The penalty is not suspended and will have to take inmediate effect at the next two races at Spa and Monza. Frank Zimmer had an starring performance when he took out Spencer in a very dangerous accident. Some newspapers have titled the event as "Zimmsanity"

Jesus Plaza and ARC are fully behind this decision. Zimmsanity has nothing on Linsanity, however.

[AndreaModa]

So that'll be what those Zimsanity references meant!

It's a bit frustrating to retire with engine trouble, but we turned it up to try and get ourselves further up the order, so we only have ourselves to blame in that respect. I'm pleased for Daniel that he finished the race, and whilst 4 laps down sounds bad on paper, on such a short track like the Norisring it's not something I'm concerned about. Of course, we're clearly going to struggle at the more high speed circuits now, especially without a turbo engine, but we'll just have to sit tight, and see what we can pick up when others fall by the wayside. Our main focus now we're over halfway through the season is on to next year, and making the most of when the turbo ban comes in. We want to be ready from the off to capitalise on our advantageous position of having run normally aspirated engines from the start, whilst others have to get to grips with them. Our Ford engine is perfectly placed, we just need to invest in it.

AEROND: Before the next race I'd like to invest all of Castrol Jones Racing's remaining credits on engine performance please!

[Phoenix]

The performance today doesn't make me feel optimistic at all with the engine performance. Audi is extremely annoyed and is vowing to up its game dramatically with a cutting-edge engine for next season, hope it's true!

[JeremyMcClean]

So who fell victim to Zimsanity? I think Spencer, Plaza, nearly de Bock and Cameron?

[Wizzie]

While I'm not too concerned about 11th place right now, if this form continues across all the high-speed tracks remaining on the calender like Spa and Monza, then we really should start being worried. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm heading back home to Munich.

[the Masked Lapwing]

Nash to do double duty at Spa, Monza
After the F1RWRS Commission handed a two race ban to Frank Zimmer for his poor driving at the German GP, Garry Rogers Motorsport have announced that Tommy Nash will fill his seat at the Belgian and Italia GPs. Nash will also race in the F2RWRS races on those weekends, and GRM are using it as an oppurtunity to see how he handles the workload. "After Frank's poor effort at the Norisring, we were going to take our time to pick a replacement, but Tommy was eager to go and we've decided to test him in both series," said team principal Garry Rogers. Neither Zimmer nor Nash were available for comment.

[JeremyMcClean]

Well, I am pleased with the promotion! Hopefully the car will co-operate unlike my one-off last time... obviously I'm very excited for the races.

[dr-baker]

It's so rare for me to finish. It feels so good, but I'm so shattered. I just wanna snuggle up in bed. Fancy joining me Pippa?

Yeah man. Mr Christopherson, that's what you should have been doing for the past half-season, you bum. 2 points on my return after more than a season away... Easy. Now let's get outta here. Oh and Douglas, make sure the team has a good barbeque going. We'll be back in about an hour...

Sheeessshhhhhh......

[Aerond]

Chris Dagnall said:

It´s not been a very good weekend, but I´m quite happy for Ben. He´s done far better than in the last few races and the guy seems to be improving and learning all the time, which is good for the spirit of the team. Mark had a problem with one of the new pieces we brought here and he had to retire. Unfortunately, that meant more points lost but on a positive side we still lead the drivers championship and the car seems now a bit more reliable.

[Wizzie]

Nicolas to stay at MRT for 2015

Frenchman Phillippe Nicolas has just signed a one year contract extension with Melrose Racing Team for 2015 off the back of his second race win of the year at Germany last weekend. Whilst the move was to be expected, all speculation is on the other seat with 2011 F1RWRS champ Nathanael Spencer under the pump for 2015 after proving the more erratic of the two MRT drivers for 2015. However, ironically enough, Phillippe's second win may have just be enough for MRT to keep an unchanged lineup for 2015. Speaking from his home in Munich, MRT boss Daniel Melrose talked to Autosport's Jonathon Noble as part of a larger interview when the issue of the two MRT drivers for 2015 popped up.

"I told both my guys at the beginning of the year after the first test to take the opportunity by the scruff of the neck because they may never got a car as quick ever again in their careers. While I do apologise for giving them a crapbox of a car last year and one that seemingly reflects a hand grenade this year, that doesn't mean that they shouldn't be doing their absolute best week in, week out. Phillippe has been doing a superlative job this year and has really made a step up in his driving to the point where he's unlocked his full potential as a Grand Prix driver while in the other seat we have a man in Nathanael who's done it all, including beating me in a straight fight in 2011. However, that being, said, that doesn't mean he can put in some of the poor performances this year, including that messy display in Adelaide, the accident at Bathurst and the horrible showing at Brands Hatch and not have people notice. He may have a MRT drive for now but if he's not careful, he may find himself in the unemployment line for next year."

When questioned about who might be a possible replacement for Spencer should the need arise, Melrose kept his cards close to his chest by simply saying "We'll cross that bridge when we need to."

[Pointrox]

Oh cock.

[Aerond]

F1RWRS 2014 - ROUND 10 - BELGIAN GP - Spa

Weather prediction:

PreQ - Light Rain
Q1 - Dry
Q2 - Wet
Race - Light Rain

PRE-QUALIFYING (Drivers in bold go into main qualifying)

1. Ron Mignolet (Acuri) -- 2.01.602
2. Rhys Davies (HRT) -- 2.04.085 (+2.483)
3. David Neuberg (Mitie) -- 2.04.287 (+2.685)
4. Gary Cameron (Prospec) -- 2.04.770 (+3.168)
5. David Koczo (Trueba Alitalia) -- 2.05.051 (+3.449)
6. James Davies (Mecha) -- 2.05.658 (+4.056)
7. Andrea Acuri (Acuri) -- 2.06.133 (+4.531)
8. Steven Mackintosh (Mecha) -- 2.06.216 (+4.614)
9. Dean O´Lauchlan (HRT) -- 2.06.251 (+4.649)
10. Tomislaw Tajner (Dofasco) -- 2.07.255 (+5.653)
11. Leonhard Von Gottorp (Tropico) -- 2.07.366 (+5.764)
12. Francois Albertini (Shonan) -- 2.07.373 (+5.771)
13. Sebastian Groves (Dofasco) -- 2.07.616 (+6.014)
14. Matthias Valsattis (Mitie) -- 2.08.058 (+6.456)
15. Jean Luc Schiller (Prospec) -- 2.08.293 (+6.691)
16. Darren Older Jr (Trueba Alitalia) -- 2.10.545 (+8.943)
17. Gio Van Dycke (Shonan) -- 2.11.332 (+9.730)
18. Miko Fakkinen (Tropico) -- 2.15.747 (+14.145)

** Acuri will skip Pre-Qualifying at Round 11

QUALIFYING





** ARC to run Pre-Qualifying at Round 11

RACE

Mark Dagnall has tried it again and again and again in the last few races and in the end he got the win he was looking for to put a relevant distance in the race for the WDC title. Helped by the always tricky weather of the Ardennes, and aided by the improved reliability of the DGN, the thing is, if one race ago we were talking about the uncertainty of this championship, the feeling right now is that it will be somewhat difficult for anybody else to regain the championship lead if Mark manages to finish races, specially having in count how all of his rivals for the title failed to score points at Spa.
It was clear it was going to be a hard weekend for everybody seeing how Pre-Qualifying developed, confirmed by Saturday weather, sending the likes of Jones and Katayama to the very back of the grid. Dagnall got the lead pretty early over a conformist Nicolas, who prefered to stay out of trouble, and stayed there for the whole race, except a couple of laps behind Nicolas Steele after a problem with the accelerator, solved quickly by the DGN mechanics mid-race. It was never a problem for Dagnall to keep a pace enough not to worry too much about Steele´s developments, as Nicolas had retired a few laps before, leaving an empty space for real alternatives in case Dagnall had a problem, as Fleet and both Gillet´s retired too, and Nathanael Spencer never had the pace to battle even for points, in what was a very poor performance coming from someone aspiring to win the championship. Is no secret that Nathanael doesn´t feel comfortable in wet conditions, but the fact that a driver starting at the back, with a pitstop in the first lap and in an inferior car (yes, I´m talking about Katayama) finished ahead of him is very significant, and for that he earns our ROTR award.
We also witnessed good performances from Nicolas Steele, whose solid drive earnt him 6 very welcomed points for Kamaha, and from Pippa Mann and Ron Mignolet too, they both kept a great fight with Thomas de Bock for 3rd, but in the end Melrose did better with strategy and they had to sit out with a couple of points each. Sammy Jones also did good from the back, but he spun and then retired shortly afterwards. The other great drive came from Kay Lon: He seemed to be back on track with a good grid position and after a spin early in the race, he kept pushing and passing cars like possesed after the first round of the stops only to stop at the pits exit with a broken suspension arm, probably damaged during his off-track excursion and finished when the Sunshine mechanics put a new wheel there.
We also saw good signs from O´Lauchlan. He´s yet very irregular but under the rain he seems to feel like at home and was running in 3rd before the HRT gave up.
The main conclusion we should extract from Spa is that this track should forever stay in the calendar as it provides excellent racing, and that Mark Dagnall is now closer to become the first double champion in F1RWRS history. There´s still 6 races to go, but the truth is MRT is still too unreliable with two drivers fighting to be number one and the rest only can get their opportunity when both Dagnall and the MRT drivers fail.

Pictures

Start



Mignolet passing de Bock



Lon spinning



Douglas Mann spinning



Lon in one of his many passing moves going up the field



Dagnall getting the lead over Nicolas



Jones spinning



Dagnall winning



RESULTS




FASTEST LAP CHART



STANDINGS

DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

1. Mark Dagnall - 38 pts
2. Thomas de Bock - 23 pts
3. Nathanael Spencer - 20 pts
=. Phillippe Nicolas - 20 pts
=. Nicolas Steele - 20 pts
=. Shinobu Katayama - 20 pts
7. Daniel Melrose - 19 pts
8. Aurelien Moll - 17 pts
9. Douglas Mann - 15 pts
10. Sammy Jones - 12 pts
11. Ron Mignolet - 9 pts
12. Frank Zimmer - 8 pts
=. Mirko Bosevic - 8 pts
14. Barii Mori - 7 pts
=. Ben Fleet - 7 pts
6. Pippa Mann - 5 pts
17. Rhys Davies - 4 pts
18. The Stig - 3 pts
19. Ashley Watkinson - 2 pts
20. Jesus Plaza - 1 pt
=. Daniel Martins - 1 pt

CONSTRUCTORS

1. DGNgineering - 45 pts
2. Gillet - 40 pts
=. MRT - 40 pts
4. Jones - 31 pts
5. Kamaha - 27 pts
6. Sunshine - 20 pts
=. Foxdale - 20 pts
8. Arrowtech - 9 pts
9. Acuri - 9 pts
10. GRM - 8 pts
11. HRT - 6 pts
12. Phoenix - 3 pts
13. ARC - 1 pt

[Wizzie]

Oh man, this race is going to be epic

[Aerond]

Oh man, this race is going to be epic

Qualifying results are going to be MAD

[Wizzie]

Plus is helps my cover story for the F2RWRS round at Belgium that they kept 'conveniently' running whenever the track was at its driest

[Klon]

I know I am evil personified if I say this, but don't you think you have a bit too much rain?

[Aerond]

I know I am evil personified if I say this, but don't you think you have a bit too much rain?

There´ll be seasons with more or less rain than this. Don´t worry too much about that

[Wizzie]

I know I am evil personified if I say this, but don't you think you have a bit too much rain?

There´ll be seasons with more or less rain than this. Don´t worry too much about that

Before I forget, can you make Q1 at Monza an absolute monsoon to coincide with the storm that hit the F2RWRS qualifying?

[AndreaModa]

11th for a Tropico is a season-best isn't it?!

Shame for Mitie and Mecha too, each had a high placed driver, only to be let down by the teammate.

[Warren Hughes]

11th for a Tropico is a season-best isn't it?!
Shame for Mitie and Mecha too, each had a high placed driver, only to be let down by the teammate.

Same goes for Prospec unfortunately. Which brings me onto:

Jean-Luc Schiller, Y U no go fast?!!!

[Stramala]

When did Steve Mackintosh move to Trueba Alitalia? And why has Mecha stolen Older Jr from my team?!

[AdrianSutil]

When did Steve Mackintosh move to Trueba Alitalia? And why has Mecha stolen Older Jr from my team?!

Simple balls-up I think. It's the other way round.

[Stramala]

When did Steve Mackintosh move to Trueba Alitalia? And why has Mecha stolen Older Jr from my team?!

Simple balls-up I think. It's the other way round.

But the question is, did he mess up the positions of the drivers or just name the teams wrong? The former means Mecha are in the show and I'm out, the latter means I stay in

[Klon]

I say, that was one difficult session. Spa-Francorchamps in the wet is always difficult. Although I got one good lap in, a stroke of luck that young lad Fäkkinen did not had.

[AndreaModa]

Aerond did you apply the updates requested for the Jones team? All remaining credits to be spent on engine performance?

[Aerond]

When did Steve Mackintosh move to Trueba Alitalia? And why has Mecha stolen Older Jr from my team?!

Simple balls-up I think. It's the other way round.

Fixed. I´m sorry to kostas22 for the misbelief...

Aerond did you apply the updates requested for the Jones team? All remaining credits to be spent on engine performance?

Yup

[FMecha]

Great to see Mecha able to escape PQ.

[AndreaModa]

Aerond did you apply the updates requested for the Jones team? All remaining credits to be spent on engine performance?

Yup

Happy days!