K-CLASS THUNDER ENDURO ROUND 4 MONZA – 9th OCTOBER 2018
BMR SUTTON WINS THE PENALTY SHOOT-OUT
WeeBilly wins, but is then dropped to third with a penalty ~ Win goes to BMR Sutton with great comeback drive ~ First lap drama sees big accidents ~ Good drives by CelticFox and Robraceruk ~ Lively AM battle ~ Straight-line speed hampers DARE Ferrari’s ~ Disastrous night for the championship leaders ~ Bradderstig starts to dominate Support Championship
BMR Sutton cam back from this on lap 1, to win in the stewards room.
Monza in Italy is known for his history, fast straights and the passionate Ferrari fans, the Tifosi. Round 4 of the Thunder Enduro rolled into the famous circuit for the first time, and testing by a number of teams had seen times in the 1.53s, but also a real fear with the high Pi’s on the long straights, against the slower ones. The Support Series started the day off, and the 60s F1 cars were a real handful for most. CelticFox led the first two thirds of the race, only to be overcome by Championship leader Bradderstig, with WeeBIlly rounding out the top 3. . ProAM fell to class leader NitroRushmini, with a 6th place overall, and the fastest race lap, whilst Wambogini proved to be the star of the race with an AM victory, but finishing 5th overall after spending the race dicing near the front.
Twenty cars were present for the main event; we had both the RML TVR’s back, and also the return of the Team Hard Mercedes for RGreenwood. Missing though was AM leader Badbeat, and also the other Mercedes A45 of Devilsbogeyman, whose electrical issues would mean he had packed up and left for home long before the support race had finished. As the cars lined up, a lot of runners were worrying about the run down to the first corner, but it was a very reserved affair as all managed to get through cleanly, although how Major Raver managed to drive himself on to the grass unaided was a mystery to all. Bradderstig got a fantastic start and led them through the opening lap, initially chased by Devil Lord in the fast starting Audi and CelticFox in the Aston Martin. Celtic though got it wrong in the Lesmo’s seeing him drop down to 14th, which meant he got caught up in the mayhem that was about to occur in the Ascari bends. Kinkycowboys had made a good start in the second Audi and was running 6th, but the Kia of Kenty was flying behind and out braking the TVR of NikeMike on the entrance to the corner found himself with an Audi already partially through the left hander. Kenty locked up on the inside line and hit the Audi hard as it turned into the corner, this caught out Wambogini, Basslinejunkio, WeeBilly, CQR Rob and CelticFox, but it wasn’t over. As they exited the final part of the chicane, contact was made that saw Major Raver spun into the gravel, and BMR Sutton on his roof, the Datsun drive heard shouting inaudible words like Adbdul Miseradbul as his car rolled back over the right way, amazingly, accept for a few scratches and dents rather undamaged mechanically.
So after all the mayhem, Bradderstig led the first lap, followed by Devil Lord in second, Nitrorushmini in third, Robraceruk in 4th, Mad in 5th and ABigPieKey in 6th who had been mugged by the 3 ahead on the rundown to the first corner for lap 2. It became obvious very quickly that Bradders was fighting a losing battle holding on to the lead, but the man who was threatening the most was the Lotus of Robraceruk. A heavy test session from the RML Development team was baring fruits, and the two Lotuses’s looked in superb shape, and on lap 3 the yellow car took the lead for the first time this season. Rob set about making his escape, whilst Bradders started to drop back through the field. Devil Lord was initially second still but was now under attack from the recovering pack behind. CelticFox was the first of these in the Aston, moving through to second on lap 5, and WeeBilly following him, using the tow off the British Supercar to good effect down the straights. Up to 4th was Kenty in the DMR run Kia, which was a rocketship down the long straights and was homing in on those in front. This was turning into a great dice, until lap 7 when all did not sound well in the Lotus and plumes of smoke could be seen coming out of the exhaust. A lap later the leader was in to the pits, a quick fuel and tyre stop and a reset to the engine management system,, had Robraceruk back on his way again but now down in 15th place. This put Celtic in the lead, still being used as a hole in the air by WeeBilly, who was using this to great effect in keeping Kenty out of his reach. Behind them was NitroRushmini, who had passed Devil Lord for 4th, but these two were under attack from the second Lotus of Mad, and also the recovering Datsun of BMR Sutton, who was flying along after his first lap roll, and was in fact lapping quicker than anyone else on track. Following these was the wily Alfa 33 of ABigPieKey, who lacked the pace especially on the straights, but was doing a great job of staying in the top 10, and making all nervous on the pitwall as to whether he needed a pit stop or not.
Back in 13th was the battle for AM honours. Early on this was led by the very impressive Hopperswwfc in the Porsche, who looked comfortable, but a couple of mistakes had dropped him back and now the battle was ebbing and flowing between Basslinejunkio and Wambogini, both leading the class, but then passing it back to the other with a late braking for chicanes that saw them lose time. First to stop of the leading group was Kenty on lap 16 and he rejoined a head of the Lotus of Robraceruk, a lap to warm up his tyres saw the Lotus get large in his mirrors but the time lost earlier had seen the overcut work a treat for the Kia and once up to speed he was able to hold off RML Development driver.
Robraceruk led early on, but finished 5th at the end after engine issues with the Lotus
A lap later and BMR Sutton pitted and rejoined a head of the pair of them by 3 seconds, the running in clean air for the ten laps before had paid dividends to the KRR Datsun, that was also looking a completely different car from the first 3 rounds. Next to stop was CelticFox and he came out alongside the Datsun and managed to hold on in to the first corner. This left Billy in the lead and the TVR was obviously lifting and coasting, the trained ears on the pitwall picking this up. Was he trying to do the race without a stop? Second overall now was the Alfa 33 of ABigPieKey, but even though all were aware he would possibly go nonstop, he didn’t have the speed to stop the attack from behind and it wouldn’t be long before he started to tumble down the order. Kenty obviously held the lead in Class A, but behind him it was far from clear. Devil Lord was running well in second and had built up a decent sized gap to his teammate, but Kinky was having a difficult race and a fuel miscalculation saw him needing a further stop and a splash and dash. Class leader RangersRick was now third in the class, the Nissan struggling for speed here, but he was being dragged into the battle for the AM class and with it Basslinejunkio being AWD, was now looking to rob the Class leader of a further point. Everywhere you looked we had battles, Penfold and RGreenwood having a right old ding dong for 18th place as well.
Out front and Billy was holding on and the pit lane message had gone to his teammate that they believed the TVR could get to the end, this was also a help to NikeMike, who although had to stop for repairs on lap one due to damage was now sensing a possible top 10 finish if the car could make it home on fumes. BMR Sutton passed the Aston for second on lap 24 but he was too far behind the TVR, even with lapping 2 seconds a lapper quicker that he was now doing. The Datsun driver couldn’t just concentrate on the chase though, as CelticFox was all over him and wanted the runners up slot back. 10 seconds behind them was Kenty, who was unable to close the gap, but comfortable ahead of the RML Lotus of Robracer, who was 5 seconds ahead of the second version of Mad, who was happily towing the Championship leader down the Monza straights, team work by the sister teams. As they headed in to the last lap all listened to hear if the TVR coughed spluttered, but it didn’t and it crossed the line with only enough left for a sample to the stewards. It was a brilliant drive by WeeBilly, more based on using his head than outright pace and it paid off for an unlikely victory. BMR Sutton held on to second, after possibly his best drive yet, his recovery through the field was perfect, and a shock to all after how terrible the car has looked all season. CelticFox was third and pleased that the Aston Martin is now coming good, but wondering what if, if things had gone differently on lap 1. It was a good result for Kenty in 4th in the Kia, and the Class A spoils to boot which puts him right in the Championship hunt, whilst behind him were the pair of Lotus’s. Robraceruk was a little disappointed with the engine issues that slowed him early on and the change of strategy that caused, but the points the team got put them back in the hunt for the Team Championship were very much welcome. NikeMike followed them home, with half the fuel of his teammate, and overjoyed that damage limitation had been done, and beating one of his rivals ABigPieKey who followed him home in 8th place. It was a superb result under the circumstances for the CK Motorsport team, the car was the slowest in a straight-line and the drive to finish in the top 10 was up there with anyone’s. 9Th fell to Nitro who didn’t have the pace in the lower Pi Corvette, the car also losing a bit of its handling, but he had enough to beat a bemused Devil Lord who went backwards after his early laps in the top 3. The reigning Class A champion wasn’t answering questions after the race that he misses the Ford Escort Cosworth of last season. Talking of which, his car from last season followed him home, as Basslinejunkio won the battle of the AM drivers, and also denying RangersRick in class as well.
WeeBilly missed out on victory as the stewards deemed track limit abuses.
In fact Bass could of caught the Cerberus Audi if he had a couple more laps left. Wambogini was right behind in second, after a race of quick pace, and going off at chicanes, but it was a good day for the DART driver and good points in the AM Championship. His teammate though was down in16th and looked completely lost. Major Raver lost time on lap 1 after being spun, and got as high as third in the pitstops, but the car doesn’t go quick early on in the stint and although it handles well, he was the slowest car bar the DARE Ferrari’s. The home fans came looking for a Ferrari win, but so slow were Bradderstig and CQR Rob that it turned into a nightmare for the team.
Bradders led early on but dropped back quickly and he tried to get to the end after stopping early, without another stop. It didn’t work and he ran dry two laps from home, his championship quest taking a battering. For team mate CQR Rob, he lost time on lap one, and in truth he drove well to salvage 14th place and a couple of points. The team need to regroup at Long Beach. 13th fell to RangersRick, a quick reversal on the recent fortunes for the KRR team. Rick was hampered by the Pi and fell back as the race went on; he is another who will be looking forward to next week at Long Beach, a track he and AWD go well on. Final points finisher in 15th was Kinkycowboys after his two stops, Kinky ran at near class leading pace in his recovery drive, but was left with far too much to do and hoping of avoiding first lap issues next week that have blighted his season so far.
17th, to 19th saw a great little scrap between Penfold, RGreenwood and Hoppers. Hoppers had been in the battle for AM honours early on, and been as far as 12th at one time in the race order. A bad case of cramp got to him in the second half of the race and he had to be lifted out of the car at the end. Penfold found his Kia a real challenge on the brakes but managed to win the battle of this group, and score much needed points in AM, he also will be looking forward to the AWD favouring Long Beach next week. For RGreenwood it was an improvement in handling for the Mercedes, which was terrific in a straight line as well, and the team were happy with the information gathered and completing the race.
The champagne was sprayed, but the result wasn’t final. The stewards were in conversation long in to the night, and then a press release came the following morning of a penalty to both TVR’s for track limits, heartbreak for WeeBilly who drove a fantastically clever race to not stop and make the fuel last and thus that gave the victory to a shocked BMR Sutton instead. Some may say harsh, when possibly they weren't the only drivers to do so. It was a crazy day, and who would of thought at the start of it, that the KRR Racing Datsun would come out on top. 4 different winners from 4 rounds don’t bet against winner number 5 next week on the American west coast circuit.
Result After 27 Laps
1. BMR Sutton Datsun Sunny 52mins 20.507secs
2. CelticFox Aston Martin +0.4 secs
3. WeeBilly TVR Sagaris +8 secs (30sec Pen)
4. Kenty76 Kia Stringer +22 secs
5. Robraceruk Lotus Espirit +18 secs
6. Mad2210 Lotus Espirit +25 secs
7. ABigPieKey Alfa 33 +33 secs
8. Nitrorushmini Corvette +41secs
9 . NikeMikeRules TVR Sagaris +56sesc (30sec Pen)
10. Devil Lord Audi TT +56 secs
11. Baselinejunkio Ford Escort +59 secs
12. Wambogini Alfa 8c +1min
13. RangersRick Nissan 370z +1min 03secs
14. CQR Rob Ferrari 360 +1min 06secs
15. Kinkycowboys Audi TT +1min 11secs
16. Major Raver Alfa 8c +1min 15secs
17. Penfold Kia Stringer +1 Lap
18. RGreenwood Mercedes GT +1 Lap
19. Hopperswwfc Porsche 911 +1 Lap
20. Bradderstig Ferrari 360 +2 Laps
Kenty was quick in the DMR Racing Kia
FASTEST LAP: CelticFox 1 minute 53.739 seconds (New Lap Record)
CelticFox missed out on victory after a good fight with Sutton
ABigPieKey lack of straight-line speed saw him ganged up on