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THUNDER MAG - 30th MAY 2019

KRR Mug The Pack in Italy

Victory to PMR Plato put KRR in Team Fight~ Four way decider for the Drivers Title next week ~ Badbeat takes the AM title with another drive into the points ~Return to form for Kinkycowboys ~ Robraceruk grabs a podium ~ Bradderstig wins the Race of Champions at Brands Hatch ~Maj2012 takes charge in the VW Beetle Series ~ Enteries for Series 5 flood in.

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PMR Plato drove a polished and patient race to take victory at Mugello again.

Latest News

We left Mugello with four drivers in a position to lift the Drivers Championship.  RangersRick holds a small lead over Bradderstig, but both CQR Posh Rob and Devil Lord can still take the crown.  Team wise and its also a 5 way fight, as Cerberus and KRR lead the way, but don't discount Cerberus R&D, SWR and DART.  The Bernese Alps is unforgiving, so don't be surprised to see the unexpected next week.

Ford have returned to the series in a big way.  The famous manufacture last graced the grid in season 1, as MAD Motorsport took a win in the superbly bonkers green Focus.  This time they have their full might behind DART who will run the Mustang for Kidders and Major Raver, plus add a third car for Wambogini who moves back over to the team, from sister team DARE.  These won't be the only Ford's though, as Rick Holliday has re-entered GRT to the series.  They had a successful time in season 3 running JRush and RangersRick, in a pair of Honda Acura's, winning the Class Championship with JRush.  RangersRick returns to the fold, and will be combining the driving role, with a mentoring one for the teams two other drivers, Dazzlentfc and Hopperswwfc.  The team will run the Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500.

 

With Hoppers moving to GRT, it will see the end of the Hoppers Sport team in the Thunder Enduro.  Hoppers has decided to concentrate on driving, and has set himself the aim of a Championship point next season, and an AM Class race victory.  The team will continue in the TORC Touring Cars running the Alfa Romeo.

Another team announcing a car for next season, is Quicksilver.  The team announced they will be running a Porsche next time around, and promptly claimed they will be picking a car from a different country each season.  The team have only confirmed one of the German cars, for usual driver CelticFox at the moment, but team boss Gavin McKeever admitted the team would be happy to run a second car if a driver with a suitable budget becomes available.

 

SI's, and all from Brands Hatch.  Pronag was given a 45 second penalty in the Beetle race for contact with another runner that pushed them off track, and then in a separate incident an unsafe re-join, making contact with another car when coming back on track.  To further his misery, he was hit with another penalty in the Touring Car race, after re-joining into another car after going off and damaging that other car at the first corner.

EmpireMSport ran a second Mitsubishi Evo at Brands Hatch in the Touring Cars, for THORS star Shanissss.  He impressed all on his debut just missing out on the podium and giving the team its best performance of the season so far.  Temporary team boss at EmpireMSport, Luke Boyles is hoping to keep him in the second car for the rest of the season.

Gossip

KRR look set to run three Honda NSX's next season, even though RangersRick announced his departure for next season.  Rumours are that PMR Plato and Badbeat are staying at the team, and the team are looking for an AM or ProAM driver, with Devilsboogeyman's, Diboor, Millzywhite and Sealey's name mentioned as possible.

 

DevilsBoogeyman has been the talk of the paddock in Italy.  His team DBM34 have been seen talking with Renault Personal, who are keen to return to the series, and also about drives with KRR and Bradderstig's team VSE.  

 

Team Cheetah and FKart are rumoured to back in Season 5.  The team were front runners in Season 1, and had a number of podiums, before FKart was disqualified after Laguna Seca.

Rumours of Season 1 and 2 Champion returning to the Thunder Enduro?  Well NikeMikerules was seen visiting the paddock in Mugello and rumours of a return to the series with RML.  RML already have three drivers under contract, but Mad's name has been mentioned with KRR and a new team involving Maj and XRay Energy.  No news on the cars for RML, but Class Champion Penfold has confirmed he is looking to stay in Class A for next season.

 

DSR have impressed recently in the TORC Touring Cars and are eager to run a third Hyundai for the rest of the season if a driver can be found.  NikeMike's name has been mentioned there as well.

Thunder Enduro

Mugello is one of those circuits that throws up some interesting races with the variable Pi's and Tuesday race was no different, in fact some described this as the most fun they have ever had.  The battles midpack were awesome, some brilliant clean driving and defending, with lap times very close.  In fact cars battling slowed themselves by over a second a lap and allowed others to catch, leaving us with an almighty battle from 8th down to 15th at the end on the 26 laps.

 

First up was the Trucks and it turned in to carnage early on.  Pronag made his customary lightning get away and after swapping some paint on the run up to turn one was up to second.  Carnage ensured behind as Devil Lord left his braking late and then two corners later Raver already damaged, was pushed off the track and Bradders with nowhere to go hit his truck hard, leaving the prerace favourite in need of a pitstop, and Raver out of the race.  Kidders and Plato had proved to be fast in these in the past and were quickly moving through the field to be 1-2 by lap 4.  Try as he might, Plato couldn't get on terms to have a lounge, and this gave Kidders victory.  Pronag held on for third, under a lot of pressure from Maj, and that final Podium position and the drama for Bradders gives him a fighting chance of the title next week.  Bradders broke the lap record on his recovery drive to 9th, whilst Scarlet was a very impressive 8th and dented Badbeat's hopes in the overall Championship by being the first AM driver.

21 cars lined up for the main event, and the mad rush to the first corner wasn't without a slight bit of action.  Devilsboogeyman had made a demon start from row 6 and was briefly in to the lead, but got his breaking all wrong going wide.  This left pole man Devil Lord out front, with Celtic and Kidders slotting in behind.  Turn 2 saw the next action, as Penfold spun Major Raver around and in the process delayed his sister car of Robraceruk.  A part from that it was all good and the order was only jumbled up over the opening laps by people making mistakes, on tyres taking longer to warm up than usual.  Devil Lord continued to lead out front, until team mate Kinky got up to second on lap 5, the higher Pi Camaro soon cut the gap down and was through into the lead.  Any hopes of a Cerberus 1-2 were short dashed as Plato was on the march, and had driven with a lot of caution to get up to third, picking off both Chevrolet's in consecutive laps to take the lead.  From their on in, the Honda was unstoppable and Plato drove away to record a comfortable win, even keeping the lead through his pitstop.  Kinky held on for second, keeping one eye on the gap behind as Robraceruk was on a recovery drive.  After his delay at the start, the Ferrari moved through the pack, to be 4th after the pitstops.  Once past Devil Lord he chipped away at the gap in front, helped by Kinky's tyres starting to go off, and with a couple of more laps may have equalled his result from Silverstone.  Devil was unable to hold on for 4th, as JRush recovery drive saw him take the place late on.  It was a difficult early race for SWR, but both cars moved through the field, and teammate Posh Rob came through to 7th, after his engineer was found shouting at him to calm down early on after a few rants on the pit to car radio.  Top two in the Championship, Bradderstig and RangersRick had an almighty battle, much of it with Pronag, as they scrapped for every point.  Rick came out top grabbing 10th late on, whilst Bradders got mugged down to 14th, which became 15th as he lost a drag race out of the final corner to Major Raver.  The AM battle could have been anyone but 4 drivers.  Devilsboogeyman led early on but retired, Scarlet was very fast in the first half of the race, and efforts to get in to the top 10 saw her lose a bit of time, whilst Penfold was in his customary fight with Badbeat.  The Honda driver came out on top, and was picking off the midfield runners late on, as his confidence grew.  Class A honours fell to AtomStew as he came home 8th, and the Class C title fell to Bradderstig as Devil Lord was unable to get enough points to keep the battle going to the final round.

 

So we head to the Alps for the final race of what has been a truely amaxing season, 7 different winners. Rick takes a 4 point lead in to that final race, Bradderstig will be confident as he is a circuit expert, whilst Posh Rob and Devil Lord will also be hoping for a bit of luck.

 

Teams & Drivers:

 

AV Motorsport: Xray Energy DNE

Did not enter.

 

BTC Honda Civic: AtomStew 8th

AtomStew took the Class A honours, with a good drive up to 8th.  Involved in a few battles further back on lap one, he ended up in the gravel, needing a bit of a fightback.  Did that well and used the power of the 760Pi engine to move into the top 10.  A bit of a lift for the team after a difficult season.

Cerberus  Chevrolet Camaro 02:  Devil Lord – 5th,           Kinkycowboys 2nd

Both drivers led, and Kinky once again showed his skills around Mugello with his third podium in four seasons.  Couldn't match the Honda for pace, he drove a sensible race on worn tyres to hold off the advancing Ferrari behind.  Devil Lord has been the inform driver in the second half of the season, and drove a great race in the third lowest Pi car.  Led at the start, he picked his battles well and fifth place gives him an unexpected outside shot at the title next week.

 

Cerberus R&D Mazda MX5: Bradderstig 15th

The little Mazda was utterly breathless around Mugello, and Bradderstig fought so hard to keep the car in the points.  Spent a lot of the race in a great dice with title rival RangersRick, he found himself swamped by other cars at the end, and lost 14th on the finishing line.  Will go to Switzerland confident as he is a bit of a circuit expert.  Even though he came 15th, he looked one of the happiest drivers in the paddock after the race, describing it as one of the most fun races he has ever had.

 

DARE Alfa 4c: Wambogini 13th

Wambogini had a  fun race in the third Alfa, battling for around 15th all race.  As usual, the lack of pre race testing showed as he made a few errors early on, and pace and consistency improved in the second half of the race.  A late pitstop gave him the undercut and put him just outside the points, he then hunted down the battle in front and nicked two places in the last two laps.  Another to have enjoyed the race greatly.

 

DART Alfa 4c: xKidders 6th,           Major Raver 14th

Kidders had really concerns about the straight-line speed of the Alfa here, but drove a blinding race, and used the cars handling to the full around the fast back section of the circuit.  6th place gives the team a chance in the Team Championship, it was one of the best drives in the field.  Raver had a fun race.  Spun off at turn two, he came back from last to 14th, and enjoyed some great dices along the way, the Alfa's as usual stronger as the race goes on.

 

DMB34 BMW M2: Devilsboogeyman DNF

One of the best starts of the season, as Devilsboogeyman initially led into turn one.  The BMW was the fastest car in the house on the main straight, but didnt quiet have the handling.  Sadly pulled over on lap 8, the reason for which unknown.  Certain to challenge for AM honours in the right car next season.

 

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Robraceruk recovered to finish 3rd in the RML Ferrari.

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Cerberus had a good day with second and fifth.

EmpireMSport BMW M3: Maj  DNF,                            Empire DNE

A difficult day for the team as Maj struggled and retired.  5th on lap one, the BMW lacked some straight-line speed and handled poorly and Maj soon fell back after a couple of offs.  A pitstop to rectify the handling didn't help, and he parked the car and retired.  Admitted afterwards that he is looking forward to Season 5 and a new car.

 

Hooligan Racing Mazda RX7: RotaryRhys DNE

Did Not Enter.

 

Hoppers Sport BMW M3: Hopperswwfc 18th

18th and last runner sounds the norm for Hoppers, but this was by far his best run of the season.  Only 28seconds behind Scarlet at the end, his lap times were on a par with class rivals, and in fact he set his best ever time around the Italian circuit.  It was also the first time this season that he finished on the lead lap.

 

Horizon with Scruffs Chevrolet Camaro 16: Pronag 11th           Dazzlentfc DNF

The Camaro is coming to the end of its development life and Pronag got the best out of the car that he could.  Always in the battle just inside the top 10, he fought hard with Bradders and Rick, and lost out to the latter two laps from home.  It was a difficult race for Dazzlentfc who went off on lap 2, and then found the engine lose power on lap 7, retiring the car instead of blowing the engine.

 

KRR Racing Honda NSX 02: RangersRick 10th,           PMR Plato 1st

KRR left Italy one point from the top of the Teams and with Rick leading the drivers championship.  Rick's version was down on power but handled a treat, and he came out on top with a great battle with Bradders late on to finish tenth, and give himself the Championship lead.  Plato returned in style after missing Suzuka, taking his time moving through the pack, he took the lead on lap 10 and pulled away for his second victory in four seasons at Mugello.  Plato - DRVIER OF THE DAY.

 

Monster JamSport Honda NSX 2005:  WeeBilly DNE

Did not enter.

 

Quicksilver Lamborghini Countach:  CelticFox 9th

In the top three early on, Celtic didn't have the pace to stay there, but was heavily involved in the midfield scrap and did fantastically to come in the top 10.  The Lamborghini had some straight line speed which helped, and it was one of those great drives that sometimes goes unnoticed..

 

RML Ferrari 355: Mad DNE,                           Robraceruk 3rd

It all looked bad for the PG Tips car on lap 1, after an inicident ahead had delayed Robraceruk.  It was a good fight back though, as the Ferrari had decent straight-line speed and handled a treat around the back of the circuit.  Was closing in on second in the final laps, and with a couple of more he may have finished one place higher.

 

RML Development Ferrari 355: Penfold 16th

Penfold vowed before the start of the race, that he would give it everything to take the AM title down to the final round, and he did that even if it didn't work out that way.  Lively first lap found him in 6th place and he battled and led his rival for nearly two thirds of the way, leading AM after the pitstops.  Then an error lost him time and 16th was the best he could do.

 

SMEG Racing Honda NSX 02: Badbeat 12th

Another really impressive performance that bagged him the AM title honours.  In his usual fight with Penfold early on the Ferrari having the advantage, but he pressured him in a mistake and then drove a blinding last 10 laps, that saw him catch up 8 seconds to the pack in front, and pick off a few of those in the last two laps.  Really at home in the Honda and now a regular midfield runner.

 

SWR Subaru BRZ: CQR Posh Rob 7th         JRush 4th

A good race by the pair of Subaru's that were both down on power but handled well.  JRush fell foul of scrutineering before the race, that needed some last minute work by the team, but he bounced back with a very polished drive to fourth place.  Posh Rob had a difficult opening section of the race, and got rather frustrated which showed in his driving.  Calmed down and moved through to 7th which gives him a fighting chance of lifting the crown next week.

 

SWR with Prostate Cancer Subaru BRZ:  Scarlet Witch 17th

Another rocket ship on the straights, Scarlet was on feisty form and even led the three Subaru's early on.  She overtook a number of midfield runners on the straights, but found herself going off on the fast downhill section a couple of times, that lost her valuable time.  Ended up third in the class, but she knows it could have been more.  She enjoyed the battles though, and is looking forward to an AM title challenge next season.

 

Team Hard Porsche Cayman: RGreenwood DNE

Did Not Enter.

 

TOS Lancia 037: J47TEE DNE

Did not enter.

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Bradders and Rick fought all race, as they take the title down to the wire.

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The Truck race was close thoughout, as Kidders takes victory.

Touring Car Sunday - Rounds 9.

The Race of Champions at Brands Hatch bought a different challenge to the TORC Touring Car paddock on Sunday, 35 laps and the two driver element.  Before that started we had the VW Beetle race, and it turned into a real classic out front.  CelticFox made a lightning get away to lead them away for the first lap, but a number of high ranked drivers were higher up the grid and it wasn't long before he had his mirrors full of Bradderstig and RangersRick.  These two were soon out front and the Elite build was less of a handicap around the Kent Circuit, but the Pro version of Rick was all over his tail.  Rick tried everything, but couldn't find a way past to give Bradders his first win in the iconic cars, and become the 8th different winner in 8 races in them.  Maj finished the podium positions off, and with it the Championship lead with third, whilst Xray came out top in a great dice with Gizzard for fourth.  Posh Rob had the best run of the drivers who went to Brands near the top of the table, as he came 7th, both Devil Lord and Robraceruk coming unstuck on lap 1 after issues with RangersRick.

 

So the Touring Car grid lined up and the two Alfa's were on the front row, but quickly overtaken on the run down to the first corner, as Devilsboogeyman led Penfold and Major Raver.  Pronag got it all wrong though and was in the gravel, and then re-joined right in front of RangersRick, the hit was a hard one, and two Championship contenders were out of contention for victory straight away.  Raver soon dispensed of Penfold and was all over the back of the BMW, finally making his way through at Starkey's.  The Golf and Raver were superb here last season, and it looked at first like he might be on target for another podium, but on lap 2 it was obvious he was struggling, as the car looked a real handful and he had a train forming up behind him.  Bradders had had a brilliant opening couple of laps and was soon into the lead, and Raver now had his mirrors full of Robraceruk who was looking very strong in the Focus.  On lap 5 Raver got it wrong going off and delaying the Focus behind him.  The Golf ended up 12th, and although the driver said it was a complete handful, he felt the blame was his and he described his driving to that of a muppet!

 

Bradders was flying out front and by the time Posh Rob had got up to second, the Subaru was gone and run away to victory.  The SWR car couldn't close the gap unlike last season, and in fact was more mindful of Gizzard behind him.  The DSR Hyundai was again impressing all, and Gizzard may have challenged for second if not for the great battle he had with Xray earlier in the race.  Xray came home 4th and with his teammates performance has given SWR a real shot in the Team Championship.  Fifth place ended up going to new boy Shannissss, who drove brilliantly from last on the grid in the Mitsubishi Evo.  It was a disappointing day for the Golfs. Kidders recovered to 6th after an early off, whilst Rick drove a brilliant recovery from his two stops to finish 9th, but that has damaged his drivers championship chances.  Robraceruk took ProAM honours in 7th, beating Devil Lord in a great late race dice, Sealey finishing second in class with 11th overall.  Devilsboogeyman beat Penfold in the AM Class, the RML Focus driver lapping at ProAM pace in the second half of the race.

 

The two driver element went to the pairing of Shannisss and Devil Lord, beating the DSR Hyundai pair into second.  Next week we are back at the Sprint and Feature race format, at Lime Rock.  Posh Rob leads the series, but only a point now separates the top 3 in the teams.  Maj leads the Beetles, but as we have seen this season, being the Championship leader in that series doesn't help at the next round.

 

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A great race in the Beetles saw yet another first time winner.

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All anyone saw from lap 3, was the back of Bradders Subaru.

Race Results

Mugello

Support Series (Trucks): 1st Kidders, 2nd PMR Plato, 3rd Pronag, 4th Maj2012, 5th Devil Lord

Thunder Enduro Overall: 1st PMR Plato, 2nd Kinkycowboys, 3rd Robraceruk, 4th JRush, 5th Devil Lord

Class: Class A: AtomStew, Class C: PMR Plato,  AM Class: Badbeat

Brands Hatch

VW Beetles: 1st Bradderstig, 2nd RangersRick, 3rd Maj2012, 4th XRay Energy, 5th Gizzard

TTC Two Driver: 1st Shanissss / Devil Lord, 2nd Sealey / Gizzard, 3rd, Robraceruk / Maj.

TTC Feature: 1st Bradderstig, 2nd CQR Posh Rob, 3rd Gizzard, 4th Xray Energy, 5th Shanissss

 

Next Edition

Its the title showdown in the Swiss Alps, will be Calling RangersRick, Bradderstig, Posh Rob or Devil Lord as the Champion?  Will Cerberus hold on for the Team honours?  Normal service resumes in the TORC Touring Cars, as the Cars head to Lime Rock.

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Shanisss heavily impressed on his debut in the Evo.

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Another podium for Gizzard, who battled hard with the SWR pair.

© 2019 by Matt Allen

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