The "Cream of GPL" League Race

The "Cream of GPL" league ran its inaugural race at Monza today. The league is only open to the drivers who have reached the absolute pinnacles of their racing careers. It is what newbie VROC racers should aspire to. The standard is aimed to be the very highest. Today's race got off to a bad start for both Team Orange Cooper drivers. Both blew engines at the start line and misinterpreted the shift-r only in pits rule to include being stationary outside the pits. Both were later disqualified. The race was marred by a huge pile up at T1 - removing half of the field. Confusion reigned as rule books were checked by team managers, but the officials chose to simulate a safety car to give everyone crashed time to press Esc and get the hell out of it. There was the normal "Bonehead smacked into me" vs "He was so slow - I can 't believe anyone would brake that early" remarks in the in race chat. The young Finn, driving a Mclaren (Eagle) took advantage of a shift-r in the pits to repair his damaged but running car. He also took the opportunity to retrieve his cigarette lighter that he'd dropped in his seat seconds before the race start - much to the relief of his rear end. At the race restart the leading Scot managed to get away as the second placed Italian in the yellow & blue Brabham managed to fend off the Ferrari & Eagle behind him. Unfortunately at the second Lesmo his throttle spring broke - spinning him off. Disappearing under the desk to try to repair his pedals he left his car parked on the exit of the bend, giving the officials no choice but for a second simulated safety car. Disaster struck for the Scot as on the entry to Parabolica at the next restart his gear shift button failed to operate - leading to an embarrassing trip across the grass before the restart, dropping several places in the process. This was to be start of more controller maladies. The Eagle (driven by the only Columbian in the race) got the legs on the Ferrari down the straight to snatch first. A good fight followed with the Ferrari clearly faster but unable to match the Eagle's pace down the straights. Eventually the Eagle ran wide into Lesmo1 giving the Ferari the lead into Lesmo2. The Scot finally succumbed to his controller problems when he couldn 't change down out of top gear. Further down the field the only Canadian (Murasama) suffered disaster as his home built race simulator collapsed under him - sending him off the track. "I built it myself for $25" he later explained "I think I'll have to go back to drawing board for the next race" The race finished with victory for the only Ferrari driver, the Columbian second in the Eagle and the Finn third in the Mclaren. In fourth place was a surprised Irish driver in a Cooper. "Qualifying was a disaster" he explained "I never planned to drive a Cooper here at Monza but I was driving a spec race before & forgot to change cars" he grinned. "Add to that my pots were spiking - I was way off the pace - even behind a BRM - what a bizarre race!" Even more surprising was fifth place for a rookie Aussie in a BRM. Only really included to add to the excitement for the front runners dealing with lapped traffic, the demise of most of the field left him in a points scoring position. The biggest scare was when he was reeled by another Finn (Murasama) in the closing stages. A basic error into Parabolica running wide and putting a wheel on the grass causing a spin halted the Finn's charge, though he still retained sixth place. Race organiser Bernie Ecclescake insisted the race was a success. "Losing half of the field in T1, and having to disqualify two for shift-r violations was disappointing." He added "I am sure the next race will be better and there will be better preparation with controllers" Many of the VROC community may yet be convinced that this is truly the cream of their beloved sport. One commented "So much for GLA - care into T1 - I've seen better rookie races than this" NB: Following a post race meeting between the stewards and drivers, it was agreed all the drivers should spend some time with F1RC to avoid braking on the racing line when being closely followed.

ROFLAO -- "Racing is life......anything before or after is just waiting" Michael Delaney (Steve McQueen) Le Mans 1970 Lee Ward email: [email hidden] GPLFD - Team CHAD - The current WORLD CHAMPIONS EuroGPLeMans (F3) - WRRacing Team - Slow but bold "Tony Rickard" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:6tvg8.8600$[email hidden]... > The "Cream of GPL" league ran its inaugural race at Monza today. > > The league is only open to the drivers who have reached the absolute > pinnacles of their racing careers. It is what newbie VROC racers > should aspire to. The standard is aimed to be the very highest. > > Today's race got off to a bad start for both Team Orange Cooper > drivers. Both blew engines at the start line and misinterpreted the > shift-r only in pits rule to include being stationary outside the > pits. Both were later disqualified. > > The race was marred by a huge pile up at T1 - removing half of the > field. Confusion reigned as rule books were checked by team > managers, but the officials chose to simulate a safety car to give > everyone crashed time to press Esc and get the hell out of it. There > was the normal "Bonehead smacked into me" vs "He was so slow - I can > 't believe anyone would brake that early" remarks in the in race > chat. > > The young Finn, driving a Mclaren (Eagle) took advantage of a > shift-r in the pits to repair his damaged but running car. He also > took the opportunity to retrieve his cigarette lighter that he'd > dropped in his seat seconds before the race start - much to the > relief of his rear end. > > At the race restart the leading Scot managed to get away as the > second placed Italian in the yellow & blue Brabham managed to fend > off the Ferrari & Eagle behind him. Unfortunately at the second > Lesmo his throttle spring broke - spinning him off. Disappearing > under the desk to try to repair his pedals he left his car parked on > the exit of the bend, giving the officials no choice but for a > second simulated safety car. > > Disaster struck for the Scot as on the entry to Parabolica at the > next restart his gear shift button failed to operate - leading to an > embarrassing trip across the grass before the restart, dropping > several places in the process. This was to be start of more > controller maladies. > > The Eagle (driven by the only Columbian in the race) got the legs on > the Ferrari down the straight to snatch first. A good fight followed > with the Ferrari clearly faster but unable to match the Eagle's pace > down the straights. Eventually the Eagle ran wide into Lesmo1 giving > the Ferari the lead into Lesmo2. > > The Scot finally succumbed to his controller problems when he couldn > 't change down out of top gear. > > Further down the field the only Canadian (Murasama) suffered > disaster as his home built race simulator collapsed under him - > sending him off the track. "I built it myself for $25" he later > explained "I think I'll have to go back to drawing board for the > next race" > > The race finished with victory for the only Ferrari driver, the > Columbian second in the Eagle and the Finn third in the Mclaren. In > fourth place was a surprised Irish driver in a Cooper. "Qualifying > was a disaster" he explained "I never planned to drive a Cooper here > at Monza but I was driving a spec race before & forgot to change > cars" he grinned. "Add to that my pots were spiking - I was way off > the pace - even behind a BRM - what a bizarre race!" > > Even more surprising was fifth place for a rookie Aussie in a BRM. > Only really included to add to the excitement for the front runners > dealing with lapped traffic, the demise of most of the field left > him in a points scoring position. The biggest scare was when he was > reeled by another Finn (Murasama) in the closing stages. A basic > error into Parabolica running wide and putting a wheel on the grass > causing a spin halted the Finn's charge, though he still retained > sixth place. > > Race organiser Bernie Ecclescake insisted the race was a success. > "Losing half of the field in T1, and having to disqualify two for > shift-r violations was disappointing." He added "I am sure the next > race will be better and there will be better preparation with > controllers" > > Many of the VROC community may yet be convinced that this is truly > the cream of their beloved sport. One commented "So much for GLA - > care into T1 - I've seen better rookie races than this" > > NB: Following a post race meeting between the stewards and drivers, > it was agreed all the drivers should spend some time with F1RC to > avoid braking on the racing line when being closely followed. > >

Great peice! LOL. Thanks. Try submitting it to Road & Track mag for their 4/1 issue! Jim Tony Rickard wrote:

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> The "Cream of GPL" league ran its inaugural race at Monza today. > > The league is only open to the drivers who have reached the absolute > pinnacles of their racing careers. It is what newbie VROC racers > should aspire to. The standard is aimed to be the very highest. > > Today's race got off to a bad start for both Team Orange Cooper > drivers. Both blew engines at the start line and misinterpreted the > shift-r only in pits rule to include being stationary outside the > pits. Both were later disqualified. > > The race was marred by a huge pile up at T1 - removing half of the > field. Confusion reigned as rule books were checked by team > managers, but the officials chose to simulate a safety car to give > everyone crashed time to press Esc and get the hell out of it. There > was the normal "Bonehead smacked into me" vs "He was so slow - I can > 't believe anyone would brake that early" remarks in the in race > chat. > > The young Finn, driving a Mclaren (Eagle) took advantage of a > shift-r in the pits to repair his damaged but running car. He also > took the opportunity to retrieve his cigarette lighter that he'd > dropped in his seat seconds before the race start - much to the > relief of his rear end. > > At the race restart the leading Scot managed to get away as the > second placed Italian in the yellow & blue Brabham managed to fend > off the Ferrari & Eagle behind him. Unfortunately at the second > Lesmo his throttle spring broke - spinning him off. Disappearing > under the desk to try to repair his pedals he left his car parked on > the exit of the bend, giving the officials no choice but for a > second simulated safety car. > > Disaster struck for the Scot as on the entry to Parabolica at the > next restart his gear shift button failed to operate - leading to an > embarrassing trip across the grass before the restart, dropping > several places in the process. This was to be start of more > controller maladies. > > The Eagle (driven by the only Columbian in the race) got the legs on > the Ferrari down the straight to snatch first. A good fight followed > with the Ferrari clearly faster but unable to match the Eagle's pace > down the straights. Eventually the Eagle ran wide into Lesmo1 giving > the Ferari the lead into Lesmo2. > > The Scot finally succumbed to his controller problems when he couldn > 't change down out of top gear. > > Further down the field the only Canadian (Murasama) suffered > disaster as his home built race simulator collapsed under him - > sending him off the track. "I built it myself for $25" he later > explained "I think I'll have to go back to drawing board for the > next race" > > The race finished with victory for the only Ferrari driver, the > Columbian second in the Eagle and the Finn third in the Mclaren. In > fourth place was a surprised Irish driver in a Cooper. "Qualifying > was a disaster" he explained "I never planned to drive a Cooper here > at Monza but I was driving a spec race before & forgot to change > cars" he grinned. "Add to that my pots were spiking - I was way off > the pace - even behind a BRM - what a bizarre race!" > > Even more surprising was fifth place for a rookie Aussie in a BRM. > Only really included to add to the excitement for the front runners > dealing with lapped traffic, the demise of most of the field left > him in a points scoring position. The biggest scare was when he was > reeled by another Finn (Murasama) in the closing stages. A basic > error into Parabolica running wide and putting a wheel on the grass > causing a spin halted the Finn's charge, though he still retained > sixth place. > > Race organiser Bernie Ecclescake insisted the race was a success. > "Losing half of the field in T1, and having to disqualify two for > shift-r violations was disappointing." He added "I am sure the next > race will be better and there will be better preparation with > controllers" > > Many of the VROC community may yet be convinced that this is truly > the cream of their beloved sport. One commented "So much for GLA - > care into T1 - I've seen better rookie races than this" > > NB: Following a post race meeting between the stewards and drivers, > it was agreed all the drivers should spend some time with F1RC to > avoid braking on the racing line when being closely followed.

LOL It took me half the post to realise what I was really reading about... Very good race resume. /Carl "Tony Rickard" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:6tvg8.8600$[email hidden]...

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> The "Cream of GPL" league ran its inaugural race at Monza today. > > The league is only open to the drivers who have reached the absolute > pinnacles of their racing careers. It is what newbie VROC racers > should aspire to. The standard is aimed to be the very highest. > > Today's race got off to a bad start for both Team Orange Cooper > drivers. Both blew engines at the start line and misinterpreted the > shift-r only in pits rule to include being stationary outside the > pits. Both were later disqualified. > > The race was marred by a huge pile up at T1 - removing half of the > field. Confusion reigned as rule books were checked by team > managers, but the officials chose to simulate a safety car to give > everyone crashed time to press Esc and get the hell out of it. There > was the normal "Bonehead smacked into me" vs "He was so slow - I can > 't believe anyone would brake that early" remarks in the in race > chat. > > The young Finn, driving a Mclaren (Eagle) took advantage of a > shift-r in the pits to repair his damaged but running car. He also > took the opportunity to retrieve his cigarette lighter that he'd > dropped in his seat seconds before the race start - much to the > relief of his rear end. > > At the race restart the leading Scot managed to get away as the > second placed Italian in the yellow & blue Brabham managed to fend > off the Ferrari & Eagle behind him. Unfortunately at the second > Lesmo his throttle spring broke - spinning him off. Disappearing > under the desk to try to repair his pedals he left his car parked on > the exit of the bend, giving the officials no choice but for a > second simulated safety car. > > Disaster struck for the Scot as on the entry to Parabolica at the > next restart his gear shift button failed to operate - leading to an > embarrassing trip across the grass before the restart, dropping > several places in the process. This was to be start of more > controller maladies. > > The Eagle (driven by the only Columbian in the race) got the legs on > the Ferrari down the straight to snatch first. A good fight followed > with the Ferrari clearly faster but unable to match the Eagle's pace > down the straights. Eventually the Eagle ran wide into Lesmo1 giving > the Ferari the lead into Lesmo2. > > The Scot finally succumbed to his controller problems when he couldn > 't change down out of top gear. > > Further down the field the only Canadian (Murasama) suffered > disaster as his home built race simulator collapsed under him - > sending him off the track. "I built it myself for $25" he later > explained "I think I'll have to go back to drawing board for the > next race" > > The race finished with victory for the only Ferrari driver, the > Columbian second in the Eagle and the Finn third in the Mclaren. In > fourth place was a surprised Irish driver in a Cooper. "Qualifying > was a disaster" he explained "I never planned to drive a Cooper here > at Monza but I was driving a spec race before & forgot to change > cars" he grinned. "Add to that my pots were spiking - I was way off > the pace - even behind a BRM - what a bizarre race!" > > Even more surprising was fifth place for a rookie Aussie in a BRM. > Only really included to add to the excitement for the front runners > dealing with lapped traffic, the demise of most of the field left > him in a points scoring position. The biggest scare was when he was > reeled by another Finn (Murasama) in the closing stages. A basic > error into Parabolica running wide and putting a wheel on the grass > causing a spin halted the Finn's charge, though he still retained > sixth place. > > Race organiser Bernie Ecclescake insisted the race was a success. > "Losing half of the field in T1, and having to disqualify two for > shift-r violations was disappointing." He added "I am sure the next > race will be better and there will be better preparation with > controllers" > > Many of the VROC community may yet be convinced that this is truly > the cream of their beloved sport. One commented "So much for GLA - > care into T1 - I've seen better rookie races than this" > > NB: Following a post race meeting between the stewards and drivers, > it was agreed all the drivers should spend some time with F1RC to > avoid braking on the racing line when being closely followed. > >

Tony Rickard wrote: > The "Cream of GPL" league ran its inaugural race at Monza today. > Very amusing. I would only suggest that it is the responsibility of the *following* car to move off the racing line when braking and following closely, although that would have ruined the joke. KFG

"Tony Rickard" <[email hidden]> wrote: > The "Cream of GPL" league ran its inaugural race at Monza today. Replay available I hope? :)

In article <6tvg8.8600$[email hidden]>, [email hidden] says... > The "Cream of GPL" league ran its inaugural race at Monza today. > <snip an exellent parody of the Aussie 2002 GP> "Further down the field the only Canadian (Murasama) suffered disaster as his home built race simulator collapsed under him - sending him off the track. "I built it myself for $25" he later explained "I think I'll have to go back to drawing board for the next race" " Ahahaha, that whole thing was great, but when I got to this part, I just lost it. Thanks for the laugh man! MRSisson -- LOAD "GPL",8,1 RUN

ROFL!!! It took someone blatantly pointing it out before I realized what it is... *smacks self* but it's still great!!! Milhouse P.S. I thought the same thing about the T1 pileup. "I've seen better stuff online in N4." "Tony Rickard" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:6tvg8.8600$[email hidden]...

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> The "Cream of GPL" league ran its inaugural race at Monza today. > > The league is only open to the drivers who have reached the absolute > pinnacles of their racing careers. It is what newbie VROC racers > should aspire to. The standard is aimed to be the very highest. > > Today's race got off to a bad start for both Team Orange Cooper > drivers. Both blew engines at the start line and misinterpreted the > shift-r only in pits rule to include being stationary outside the > pits. Both were later disqualified. > > The race was marred by a huge pile up at T1 - removing half of the > field. Confusion reigned as rule books were checked by team > managers, but the officials chose to simulate a safety car to give > everyone crashed time to press Esc and get the hell out of it. There > was the normal "Bonehead smacked into me" vs "He was so slow - I can > 't believe anyone would brake that early" remarks in the in race > chat. > > The young Finn, driving a Mclaren (Eagle) took advantage of a > shift-r in the pits to repair his damaged but running car. He also > took the opportunity to retrieve his cigarette lighter that he'd > dropped in his seat seconds before the race start - much to the > relief of his rear end. > > At the race restart the leading Scot managed to get away as the > second placed Italian in the yellow & blue Brabham managed to fend > off the Ferrari & Eagle behind him. Unfortunately at the second > Lesmo his throttle spring broke - spinning him off. Disappearing > under the desk to try to repair his pedals he left his car parked on > the exit of the bend, giving the officials no choice but for a > second simulated safety car. > > Disaster struck for the Scot as on the entry to Parabolica at the > next restart his gear shift button failed to operate - leading to an > embarrassing trip across the grass before the restart, dropping > several places in the process. This was to be start of more > controller maladies. > > The Eagle (driven by the only Columbian in the race) got the legs on > the Ferrari down the straight to snatch first. A good fight followed > with the Ferrari clearly faster but unable to match the Eagle's pace > down the straights. Eventually the Eagle ran wide into Lesmo1 giving > the Ferari the lead into Lesmo2. > > The Scot finally succumbed to his controller problems when he couldn > 't change down out of top gear. > > Further down the field the only Canadian (Murasama) suffered > disaster as his home built race simulator collapsed under him - > sending him off the track. "I built it myself for $25" he later > explained "I think I'll have to go back to drawing board for the > next race" > > The race finished with victory for the only Ferrari driver, the > Columbian second in the Eagle and the Finn third in the Mclaren. In > fourth place was a surprised Irish driver in a Cooper. "Qualifying > was a disaster" he explained "I never planned to drive a Cooper here > at Monza but I was driving a spec race before & forgot to change > cars" he grinned. "Add to that my pots were spiking - I was way off > the pace - even behind a BRM - what a bizarre race!" > > Even more surprising was fifth place for a rookie Aussie in a BRM. > Only really included to add to the excitement for the front runners > dealing with lapped traffic, the demise of most of the field left > him in a points scoring position. The biggest scare was when he was > reeled by another Finn (Murasama) in the closing stages. A basic > error into Parabolica running wide and putting a wheel on the grass > causing a spin halted the Finn's charge, though he still retained > sixth place. > > Race organiser Bernie Ecclescake insisted the race was a success. > "Losing half of the field in T1, and having to disqualify two for > shift-r violations was disappointing." He added "I am sure the next > race will be better and there will be better preparation with > controllers" > > Many of the VROC community may yet be convinced that this is truly > the cream of their beloved sport. One commented "So much for GLA - > care into T1 - I've seen better rookie races than this" > > NB: Following a post race meeting between the stewards and drivers, > it was agreed all the drivers should spend some time with F1RC to > avoid braking on the racing line when being closely followed. > >

Edited out of the original article so as not to offend... Race commentary for those watching via GPL-Proxy was provided by Tom Pabst. "Big names were dropping so fast even I couldn't relay them fast enough" he complained. Oops <G> Tony "Milhouse" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:D7Eg8.27454$[email hidden]... > ROFL!!! It took someone blatantly pointing it out before Irealized what it > is... *smacks self* but it's still great!!! > > Milhouse > > P.S. I thought the same thing about the T1 pileup. "I've seenbetter stuff

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> online in N4." > > "Tony Rickard" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:6tvg8.8600$[email hidden]... > > The "Cream of GPL" league ran its inaugural race at Monza today. > > > > The league is only open to the drivers who have reached the

absolute > > pinnacles of their racing careers. It is what newbie VROC racers > > should aspire to. The standard is aimed to be the very highest. > > > > Today's race got off to a bad start for both Team Orange Cooper > > drivers. Both blew engines at the start line and misinterpretedthe > > shift-r only in pits rule to include being stationary outsidethe > > pits. Both were later disqualified. > > > > The race was marred by a huge pile up at T1 - removing half ofthe > > field. Confusion reigned as rule books were checked by team > > managers, but the officials chose to simulate a safety car togive > > everyone crashed time to press Esc and get the hell out of it.There > > was the normal "Bonehead smacked into me" vs "He was so slow - Ican > > 't believe anyone would brake that early" remarks in the in race > > chat. > > > > The young Finn, driving a Mclaren (Eagle) took advantage of a > > shift-r in the pits to repair his damaged but running car. Healso > > took the opportunity to retrieve his cigarette lighter that he'd > > dropped in his seat seconds before the race start - much to the > > relief of his rear end. > > > > At the race restart the leading Scot managed to get away as the > > second placed Italian in the yellow & blue Brabham managed tofend > > off the Ferrari & Eagle behind him. Unfortunately at the second > > Lesmo his throttle spring broke - spinning him off. Disappearing > > under the desk to try to repair his pedals he left his carparked on > > the exit of the bend, giving the officials no choice but for a > > second simulated safety car. > > > > Disaster struck for the Scot as on the entry to Parabolica atthe > > next restart his gear shift button failed to operate - leadingto an > > embarrassing trip across the grass before the restart, dropping > > several places in the process. This was to be start of more > > controller maladies. > > > > The Eagle (driven by the only Columbian in the race) got thelegs on > > the Ferrari down the straight to snatch first. A good fightfollowed > > with the Ferrari clearly faster but unable to match the Eagle'space > > down the straights. Eventually the Eagle ran wide into Lesmo1giving > > the Ferari the lead into Lesmo2. > > > > The Scot finally succumbed to his controller problems when hecouldn

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> > 't change down out of top gear. > > > > Further down the field the only Canadian (Murasama) suffered > > disaster as his home built race simulator collapsed under him - > > sending him off the track. "I built it myself for $25" he later > > explained "I think I'll have to go back to drawing board for the > > next race" > > > > The race finished with victory for the only Ferrari driver, the > > Columbian second in the Eagle and the Finn third in the Mclaren.

In > > fourth place was a surprised Irish driver in a Cooper."Qualifying > > was a disaster" he explained "I never planned to drive a Cooperhere > > at Monza but I was driving a spec race before & forgot to change > > cars" he grinned. "Add to that my pots were spiking - I was wayoff > > the pace - even behind a BRM - what a bizarre race!" > > > > Even more surprising was fifth place for a rookie Aussie in aBRM. > > Only really included to add to the excitement for the frontrunners > > dealing with lapped traffic, the demise of most of the fieldleft > > him in a points scoring position. The biggest scare was when hewas > > reeled by another Finn (Murasama) in the closing stages. A basic > > error into Parabolica running wide and putting a wheel on thegrass > > causing a spin halted the Finn's charge, though he stillretained > > sixth place. > > > > Race organiser Bernie Ecclescake insisted the race was asuccess. > > "Losing half of the field in T1, and having to disqualify twofor > > shift-r violations was disappointing." He added "I am sure thenext > > race will be better and there will be better preparation with > > controllers" > > > > Many of the VROC community may yet be convinced that this istruly > > the cream of their beloved sport. One commented "So much forGLA - > > care into T1 - I've seen better rookie races than this" > > > > NB: Following a post race meeting between the stewards anddrivers, > > it was agreed all the drivers should spend some time with F1RCto > > avoid braking on the racing line when being closely followed. > > > > > >

"Tony Rickard" <[email hidden]> skrev i en meddelelse news:8oGg8.9002$[email hidden]...

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> Edited out of the original article so as not to offend... > > Race commentary for those watching via GPL-Proxy was provided by Tom > Pabst. "Big names were dropping so fast even I couldn't relay them > fast enough" he complained. > > Oops <G> >

Hehehe ... Looking forward to the next race! :up: /Jens

Tony Rickard <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:6tvg8.8600$[email hidden]... <snip> > The race was marred by a huge pile up at T1 - removing half of the > field. Aspire to eh?

One of the funniest things I've read in a long time! I loved it. Gary Tony Rickard wrote:

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> > The "Cream of GPL" league ran its inaugural race at Monza today. > > The league is only open to the drivers who have reached the absolute > pinnacles of their racing careers. It is what newbie VROC racers > should aspire to. The standard is aimed to be the very highest. > > Today's race got off to a bad start for both Team Orange Cooper > drivers. Both blew engines at the start line and misinterpreted the > shift-r only in pits rule to include being stationary outside the > pits. Both were later disqualified. > > The race was marred by a huge pile up at T1 - removing half of the > field. Confusion reigned as rule books were checked by team > managers, but the officials chose to simulate a safety car to give > everyone crashed time to press Esc and get the hell out of it. There > was the normal "Bonehead smacked into me" vs "He was so slow - I can > 't believe anyone would brake that early" remarks in the in race > chat. > > The young Finn, driving a Mclaren (Eagle) took advantage of a > shift-r in the pits to repair his damaged but running car. He also > took the opportunity to retrieve his cigarette lighter that he'd > dropped in his seat seconds before the race start - much to the > relief of his rear end. > > At the race restart the leading Scot managed to get away as the > second placed Italian in the yellow & blue Brabham managed to fend > off the Ferrari & Eagle behind him. Unfortunately at the second > Lesmo his throttle spring broke - spinning him off. Disappearing > under the desk to try to repair his pedals he left his car parked on > the exit of the bend, giving the officials no choice but for a > second simulated safety car. > > Disaster struck for the Scot as on the entry to Parabolica at the > next restart his gear shift button failed to operate - leading to an > embarrassing trip across the grass before the restart, dropping > several places in the process. This was to be start of more > controller maladies. > > The Eagle (driven by the only Columbian in the race) got the legs on > the Ferrari down the straight to snatch first. A good fight followed > with the Ferrari clearly faster but unable to match the Eagle's pace > down the straights. Eventually the Eagle ran wide into Lesmo1 giving > the Ferari the lead into Lesmo2. > > The Scot finally succumbed to his controller problems when he couldn > 't change down out of top gear. > > Further down the field the only Canadian (Murasama) suffered > disaster as his home built race simulator collapsed under him - > sending him off the track. "I built it myself for $25" he later > explained "I think I'll have to go back to drawing board for the > next race" > > The race finished with victory for the only Ferrari driver, the > Columbian second in the Eagle and the Finn third in the Mclaren. In > fourth place was a surprised Irish driver in a Cooper. "Qualifying > was a disaster" he explained "I never planned to drive a Cooper here > at Monza but I was driving a spec race before & forgot to change > cars" he grinned. "Add to that my pots were spiking - I was way off > the pace - even behind a BRM - what a bizarre race!" > > Even more surprising was fifth place for a rookie Aussie in a BRM. > Only really included to add to the excitement for the front runners > dealing with lapped traffic, the demise of most of the field left > him in a points scoring position. The biggest scare was when he was > reeled by another Finn (Murasama) in the closing stages. A basic > error into Parabolica running wide and putting a wheel on the grass > causing a spin halted the Finn's charge, though he still retained > sixth place. > > Race organiser Bernie Ecclescake insisted the race was a success. > "Losing half of the field in T1, and having to disqualify two for > shift-r violations was disappointing." He added "I am sure the next > race will be better and there will be better preparation with > controllers" > > Many of the VROC community may yet be convinced that this is truly > the cream of their beloved sport. One commented "So much for GLA - > care into T1 - I've seen better rookie races than this" > > NB: Following a post race meeting between the stewards and drivers, > it was agreed all the drivers should spend some time with F1RC to > avoid braking on the racing line when being closely followed.