We used the new Formula 1 scoring system (10 points for first, 8 for second, 6 for third and 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 to eighth place) – no points if you don’t finish. We held twelve races over the year, with each player’s best eight scores counting for the Championship.
Final positions: Champion Mike, 2nd Rob (who won more races than...), 3rd Michael.
Race reports: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 2001 results 2000 results
The final Formula Dé race was on the double size Zandvoort track. Eight cars started. Richard stalled on grid, but everyone else got away okay. Sean and Mike got clear into Turn 1, as Richard dropped behind the remaining pack. Sean missed a gear and fell back to join the main group.
The Dommett was dropped at Turn 2. Cars hurtled down the straight (between boards) in sixth gear - except Sean, who was still accelerating. There was smoke from several engines and then the rain arrived.
Pevans and Ben caught Mike in Turn 3 at the end of the straight. Jennie, Sean and Rob behind, then Richard, then the Dommett.
Pevans and Ben dropped Mike at Turn 4 as Richard caught the group ahead of him at Turn 3. Sean, Richard and Rob caught Mike in Turn 4, but Jennie was struggling behind the Dommett.
Ben got his nose in front of Pevans at Turn 6. Mike slipstreamed Sean to catch Rob and Richard in Turn 5, leaving Sean's green car behind. The Dommett was behind that and Jennie brought up the rear.
Ben led into the chicanes (Turns 8 and 9 - back across the boards) in a cloud of spray with Pevans faltering as he had no brakes or tyre tread left. Rob, Richard and Mike chased him down. Ben spun out between the chicanes; Rob sped past Pevans into Turn 8. Mike and Richard caught Pevans, but he blocked Turn 8 for them.
A procession of cars tiptoed through the chicanes on their dry weather tyres. Rob exited in the lead. Sean clipped Mike's rear wing with his front wing in Turn 8, damaging both. Pevans came out of Turn 9 in second place with Richard right on his tail. By this time Rob was in Turn 11 (last).
Mike was fourth out of Turn 9, catching Richard, who had dropped back from Pevans. The Dommett was fifth out of the corners with Sean 6th - though they were swapping positions along the straights.
Pevans followed Rob into the pits, where he was still repairing his car. Mike passed Richard at Turn 10 as Jennie was the last out of Turn 9. Mike was next into the pits as Rob sped away again and into Turn 1. Pevans and Mike's mechanics raced to repair their cars.
Pevans left the pits as Sean came in to join Mike. Jennie caught the Dommett in Turn 10 and they raced round Turn 11 and into pits.
Mike left the pits as Pevans charged after Rob. Sean exited behind Mike as Richard, the Dommett and Jennie came in.
Richard and the Dommett left their pits relatively quickly, but only Richard caught Sean. Jennie completed her repairs and rejoined the track some distance behind.
Pevans's charge slowed at Turn 3. The Dommett raced after the two in front of him, but didn't quite catch them. Jennie followed him round.
Sean passed Richard on the way to Turn 3 as Mike narrowed the gap to Pevans. Richard drew level with Sean again in Turn 3.
Mike caught Pevans in Turn 5 and passed him on the way to Turn 6. Richard sprinted away from Sean, who responded in kind into Turn 4.
Mike and Pevans fought each other through Turn 5 - Turn 7. Sean pulled way from Richard to Turn 6; Jennie caught the Dommett in Turn 4.
Sean hurtled past the tentative Pevans and Mike into Turn 8, the first chicane. Mike left Pevans behind at the chicane, with Richard catching him fast.
Rob sped away to a certain victory. Sean a solid second with Mike, Pevans, Richard, Jennie and the Dommett chasing each other in line through the chicanes.
Mike got close to Sean in Turn 11 as Pevans charged too hard and crashed out at Turn 10. Mike out-dragged Sean down the final straight for second place. The Dommett finished fourth. Richard spun leaving Turn 10, allowing Jennie to catch him into Turn 11 as he got back up to speed. Jennie took 5th and Richard 6th.
1st Rob (10 points), 2nd Mike (8), 3rd Sean (6), 4th the Dommett (5), 5th Jennie (4), 6th Richard (3). DNF Ben, Pevans.
And Mike was duly crowned this year's champion.
The 2004 Championship starts at the end of January: come along one Wednesday evening, or join the debate on our e-mail group.
Top of page / Reports list / Main Swiggers page
All ten cars on the grid got away in good order. Chris slipstreamed Rob into Turn 1, damaging his own car and splitting the pack into two halves (Pevans, the Dommett, Sean, Jennie and Richard making up the rear half, with Ben, Mike, Michael, Chris and Rob at the front). The Dommett slipstreamed Pevans and Sean along the start straight. Chris banged his front wing into Michael's sidepod, damaging both cars as they contested Turn 1. Rob then lost bits off the underside of his car as he took too much curb.
Pevans dropped to the back at Turn 1. Rob slipstreamed his way to first place out of Turn 1. Michael was dropped by the leaders at Turn 2, where the Dommett got ahead of the rear group and caught him. The field was now in a 4-2-4 formation.
Chris slid into the lead at Turn 3. Pevans caught Jennie, Sean and Richard in Turn 2, cutting a hole in Sean's rear wing by embedding his own front wing in it. Jennie got ahead of the other three at Turn 3. Sean lost more parts off his car when he clipped the back of Richard's car.
Michael pulled away from the Dommett on way to Turn 4. Jennie caught up to the Dommett at Turn 4. And the rain arrived.
With spray flying, Ben took the lead at Turn 6: Mike was right behind him. Rob hit Chris at Turn 6, slicing his front tyre and sending him spinning off the track. Rob's front wing was looking distinctly wobbly and then his rear wing was removed as Michael ran into the back of him in the poor visibility. Exit Rob at high speed.
Ben and Mike hurtled down the grandstand straight as Michael entered Turn 8. The Dommett approached Turn 7 and Jennie Turn 6. Sean was in Turn 5 where Pevans ran out of tyres, off the track and out of the race. Richard was still last, but now up to seventh place.
Mike took the lead round the final hairpin (Turn 9) and dived into the pits. Michael caught Ben in Turn 9.
Mike left the pit lane on fresh rubber, having switched to wet weather tyres. Ben and Michael made it into their pits.
Now on wet weather tyres, Michael charged after Mike, leaving Ben behind in Turn 1. Sean and the Dommett pitted and then powered into Turn 1. Jennie and Richard circulated on their own, some way behind.
Sean and the Dommett caught Ben in Turn 2. Jennie went into the pits for a long stop to repair damage. She still got out before Richard arrived.
The Dommett arrived in Turn 4 at high speed and banged his suspension on Sean's rear wing. Neither car looked completely happy, but the two of them had left Ben behind. The front pair sustained damage to both cars as Michael slid into Mike at Turn 5. Then Michael spun leaving Turn 6 - he was without tyre tread or brakes. Sean dropped the Dommett at Turn 5 and caught Michael at Turn 6. Ben and the Dommett jostled through Turn 5, Ben losing a piece of bodywork.
Mike misjudged Turn 7 and had to slam on the anchors to make it. Sean caught Mike at Turn 7 and sprinted away into the lead and Turn 8. Richard was catching Jennie at back.
Sean powered into Turn 9 (the final corner) with the whole length of the straight between him and Mike. The limping Michael had the Dommett and Ben closing in on his exhausts. Trying to pull away. Michael over-cooked it at Turn 7 and spun out of the race. Ben pulled ahead of the Dommett, who missed a gear change leaving Turn 7.
Sean took the chequered flag for his first race win. Ben hit sixth gear on the final straight, but even this was not enough to catch Mike, who finished second. Richard caught Jennie at Turn 6 as the Dommett crossed the finish line. It was too much of an effort and Richard's car spun out at Turn 8. The final points of the race went to Jennie.
Final positions: 1 Sean (10 points), 2 Mike (8), 3 Ben (6), 4 the Dommett (5), 5 Jennie (4). DNF: Chris, Rob, Pevans, Michael, Richard.
The points for second place are enough to make Mike this year's champion.
Top of page / Reports list / Main Swiggers page
This was a wet race right from the start. 10 cars left the grid in plumes of spray. The first three on the grid - Rob, Pevans and Mike - made it into Turn 1 first. Pevans knocked his front wing out of shape by hitting Rob. He tried to knock it back into shape by hitting Mike in S Curves (Turn 2).
The following pack of seven cars jostled through Turn 1 and into the S Curves (Turn 2) without incident. Until Ben slid into Michael and dented both cars as they entered S Curves (Turn 2).
Pevans got a tow from Mike on their way to Degner (Turn 3), but it didn't make much difference. The pack cleared S Curves (Turn 2) without further incident.
The Dommett was dropped at Degner (Turn 3) as Sean and Rob sprinted past him to keep up with the pack.
Chris fell back at the Hairpin (Turn 4), leaving a pack of 5 chasing the leading three. It was down to two leaders when Rob missed a gear in Spoon (Turn 5). But the pack left Richard behind at the same time.
Pevans slid into the back of Mike in Spoon (Turn 5) and his front wing finally fell off. Followed by several other bits of bodywork. Mike's rear wing looked unstable too, but he now had a clear lead.
The Dommett charged into Spoon (Turn 5) to rejoin the pack. Jennie got a dent jostling Sean and Michael in the spray round Spoon (Turn 5). The Dommett hit both Rob and Ben in the same corner with Rob also taking damage. Chris dropped further back.
Double slipstreams for Michael and Rob saw them at the front of the pack on the way to Turn 6 (last). However it was Jennie who charged past them to catch Mike in the final corner.
Richard sprinted into Turn 6 (last) and wiped himself out on Ben and Sean. The Dommett fell back from the pack again.
Mike and Jennie dived into the pit lane as the pack slid out of Turn 6 (last). Sean took further damage hitting Michael's rear wheel.
As Mike and Jennie left the pits, the other cars queued to get in. Except Ben, who hammered down the pit straight and into Turn 1 with Jennie and Mike.
Mike's front wing clipped the back of Jennie's car as they arrived in Degner (Turn 3). Michael, the Dommett and Sean made their way out of their pits, but Rob stopped for further repair work. Chris finally arrived in the pit lane. But not yet his pit.
The second group of three cars became four when Rob caught them in S Curves (Turn 2), only to damage his new wing on Sean's car as he removed one of its bargeboards.
Michael and Rob moved ahead of Sean and the Dommett through S Curves (Turn 2). Jennie dropped behind Mike and Ben at the Hairpin (Turn 4) and was caught by Michael. The field was now the most dispersed it had been all race.
Michael's charge took him up to the leaders, Ben and Mike, in Spoon (Turn 5). Chris caught Sean in the Hairpin (Turn 4) as the Dommett caught back up to Rob.
Mike took lead into Turn 6 (last). The Dommett spun in Spoon (Turn 5), leaving Rob to chase Jennie on his own.
Mike sprinted across the line. Jennie caught Michael in Turn 6 (last) as Ben dropped back, but she spun leaving the corner. This gave Michael a clear run for second place. Rob powered into Turn 6 (last) only to spin as well.
At the back, the recovering the Dommett caught Sean as Michael crossed the line in second place. The Dommett was a little too vigorous and knocked a turning vane off his car against Chris.
Ben finished third as Chris over-cooked it in the final corner, spun across the gravel and into the tyre wall. The Dommett spun again in Turn 6 (last). Jennie accelerated across the line ahead of Rob. Sean took sixth place and the Dommett limped home seventh.
Final positions: 1 Mike (10 points), 2 Michael (8), 3 Ben (6), 4 Jennie (5), 5 Rob (4), 6 Sean (3), 7 the Dommett (2). DNF: Chris, Richard, Pevans
Top of page / Reports list / Main Swiggers page
Starting in pole position, Mike stalled on the grid, but got away in second place. At Retifilio (Turn 1) the pack split into two: Richard, Pevans, JP, Chris, and Rob were ahead; Jennie and Chris were behind. Pevans left part of his front wing embedded in JP's rear wing as the leading pack jostled through the corner.
JP hit Roggia (Turn 2) too fast and spun amid a cloud of brake dust and smoking tyres. Jennie caught up to the leading group, leaving Chris alone at the back -- until he caught the recovering JP when he reached Roggia (Turn 2).
Rob took the lead down the straight between Lesmo 2 (Turn 4) and Ascari (Turn 5) and the rain came down. Jennie and Pevans slid damply into Ascari (Turn 5) to join Rob. Richard and Mike fell back.
JP's tyres finally expired in Lesmo 2 (Turn 4) as Rob slipstreamed Pevans on the way to Parabolica (Turn 6 and last). Jennie missed the corner and dropped back from the leading pair. Mike slammed a wheel into Richard's side pod in Ascari (Turn 5), damaging both cars.
Rob and Pevans pitted for wet tyres, but Jennie was slow out of Parabolica (Turn 6 and last) with very little rubber left. Mike hit Chris as they skated into Parabolica (Turn 6 and last) and bits of both cars were left on the track.
Starting lap 2, Rob pulled ahead of Pevans into Retifilio (Turn 1) as Chris, Richard and Mike headed for some running repairs and fresh rubber behind Jennie.
Mike got ahead of Jennie into Retifilio (Turn 1) as they both left the pit lane. Then Richard and Chris caught Jennie.
Rob and Pevans were driving a perfect race up ahead, despite the rain. Chris clipped the kerb, taking some further damage, as he left Retifilio (Turn 1).
Chris and Mike pulled away from Richard and Jennie through the Lesmo curves (Turns 3-4). Pevans charged to come level with Rob into Parabolica (Turn 6 and last). Rob slipstreamed him (again!) on the way out to cross the line in front.
Jennie gained some damage in Ascari (Turn 5) where Chris spun as he ran out of rubber tying to keep up with Mike. This left Mike with a clear track for third place. Richard and Jennie passed Chris, who gradually accelerated all the way up to third gear.
Richard sped past Jennie in Parabolica (Turn 6 and last) for fourth place. Jennie finished fifth and Chris limped home, sixth and last.
Final positions: 1 Rob (10 points), 2 Pevans (8), 3 Mike (6), 4 Richard (5), 5 Jennie (4), 6 Chris (3), DNF JP.
Top of page / Reports list / Main Swiggers page
Seven cars started the race under overcast skies. Ben, Michael and Mike led into Turn 1, but dropped Ben at Turn 2. Rob fell back to last at Turn 1.
Jennie damaged her front wing taking a barge board off Pevans's car at Turn 2. Rob dropped further back on his unaccustomed hard tyres.
Richard crept ahead of the pack at Turn 3. Then Jennie fell back from Pevans and Ben at the same corner.
Michael assumed the lead at Turn 6 with Mike and Richard close on his tail. Ben got ahead of Pevans again at Turn 6, making the cars well spread out.
Until Jennie caught Pevans in Turn 6. He charged back up to Ben in Turn 7.
Michael hit the pits with a clear lead as the heavens opened. He left the pit lane on his wet weather rubber as the others skidded round the back of the circuit.
Mike was next into the pits. Then Richard. Pevans arrived as Richard was leaving, made a fast stop and baulked Ben in the pit lane.
With Michael in Turn 4, Mike and Richard were duelling in Turn 2, Pevans was in Turn 1, caught by Ben, Jennie in her pit and Rob completing his first lap in Turn 10 (the final corner).
Pevans got ahead of Ben again in Turn 2, but dropped back at Turn 5. Mike pulled ahead of Richard into Turn 6.
Michael struggled in the back corners, allowing Mike to get ever closer. Rob spun leaving Turn 4, his wet weather tyres worn out as he tried to catch up.
Mike caught Michael in the final corner and out-dragged him down the straight to take the chequered flag. Michael flew across the line in second place.
Failing tyres meant Richard slowed in Turn 8, allowing Pevans and Ben to catch him. They powered on into Turn 9 as Richard gradually accelerated. Rob limped round last with Jennie still ahead of him.
Richard spun coming out of Turn 9 as Ben passed Pevans round the outside of the final corner: Ben third, Pevans fourth.
Richard hung on to fifth, Jennie was sixth and Rob seventh.
Final positions: 1 Mike (10 points). 2 Michael (8), 3 Ben (6), 4 Pevans (5), 5 Richard (4), 6 Jennie (3), 7 Rob (2).
Top
of page / Reports list / Main Swiggers page
Ben led from pole position and was first into Castrol-S (turn 1). Only Michael stayed with him through this and into Ford (turn 2).
As the pack piled into Castrol-S (turn 1), Chris hit JP, damaging both cars. Chris and Mike got ahead of the rest into Ford (turn 2).
Chris sprinted from turn 3 and caught the leaders on the way into Dunlop (turn 4). But he was too fast and crashed out.
Michael fell back to be caught by Mike at RTL (turn 6) as Ben reached Bit (turn 7). The pack was beginning to spread out with JP falling behind by the time they reached RTL (turn 6) and Pevans a resolute last.
Rob and Richard caught Mike and Michael at the last - and slowest - corner, Veedol/Coca-Cola (turn 8). Rob ran into the back of Mike, knocking bits off both cars. Ben rolled into the pits for fresh tyres and repairs.
The other cars queued up to get into their pits as JP negotiated Veedol/Coca-Cola (turn 8). Pevans was stuck before the corner.
Ben left the pits as the others entered - except Mike, who continued on his worn-out soft tyres. Leaving the pit lane in a cloud of smoking rubber, Michael and Richard caught Ben in Castrol-S (turn 1). Rob came out of his pit to join Mike at the end of the pit straight.
Pevans was a lonely last into and out of the pits.
Ben re-took lead at turn 5 as Pevans caught and passed JP at the exit of turn 3 on his fresh rubber.
Mike caught Michael and Richard in RTL (turn 6), leaving Rob in turn 5, where Pevans caught him.
JP charged to catch Pevans and Rob in RTL (turn 6), but ran out of brakes and wiped himself out on the back of Rob's car.
As Ben headed for the line, Richard slowed down in Veedol/Coca-Cola (turn 8), backing up Mike and Michael. He took some damage as they passed. Michael out-dragged Mike for second place, both well ahead of Richard in fourth.
Pevans and Rob duelled for fifth place through the final corner. Rob spun on the exit, giving Pevans the extra point.
Final Positions: 1 Ben (10 points), 2 Michael (8), 3 Mike (6), 4 Richard (5), 5 Pevans (4), 6 Rob (3). DNF: Chris, JP.
Ben's third win (in a row) moves him up with the Championship leaders at just over the halfway stage. Top
of page / Reports list / Main Swiggers page
The race was wet. Not surprisingly, everybody opted for wet weather tyres. And all ten cars made it off the grid without incident. Ben, Mike and Jennie led the pack into Jones/Brabham (turn 1).
Pevans, JP and Michael joined the leading group in Whiteford (turn 2). Michael arrived so emphatically that he damaged his front wing knocking a chunk out of Mike. JP just damaged himself. Jennie hit him on the exit of the corner, knocking bits off both cars.
Michael took the lead in turn 2. He lost it again to Ben at Albert Road (turn 3) with Jennie a close third. At this point Stephen and Sean, bringing up the rear, were just arriving in Whiteford (turn 2).
As Ben took turn 5, JP and Rob got ahead of the pack at the Clark Chicane (turn 4). JP caught Jennie at turn 5, dropping Rob. Stephen charged forward to leave Sean a clear last.
Mike slipstreamed Pevans into turn 5, joining Rob and leaving Pevans behind. Michael passed Pevans into turn 5, too. Stephen caught the ailing Pevans while Richard dropped back to Sean.
Ben reached the slow Stewart/Prost corner (turn 7) well ahead. The pack of Jennie, JP and Rob were in Ascari (turn 6). Mike and Michael were heading for Ascari (turn 6). Stephen and Pevans in turn 5. Richard and Sean behind that.
Having run out of rubber, Stephen spun on the exit of Ascari (turn 6). Richard caught up, only to spin as well.
First into the pits was Ben, taking it easy in second gear. Jennie followed him, but had a closer garage. It didn't do much good. JP and Rob followed them in. Sean caught the two spinners on the entry to Stewart/Prost (turn 7).
As Ben charged out of the pits and into Jones/Brabham (turn 1), Jennie remained at her garage for further work. Mike arrived at his pit. Michael at his, while JP was delayed.
Rob started out of the pits in secon d place, followed by Jennie and Mike. Pevans made his stop as Sean left Stewart/Prost (turn 7) on his way in. Stephen ran out of brakes as well as rubber at turn 7 and crashed out.
Ben negotiated Whiteford (turn 2) with clear track in front and behind. The pack of Jennie, Rob, Michael and Mike were in Jones/Brabham (turn 1). Behind them Pevans and JP were just leaving the pits as Richard and Sean entered.
Jennie and Rob made up ground on Ben in Whiteford (turn 2). Rob and Sean finally left the pits as they did so. Another charge from Ben saw him pull away again through Albert Road (turn 3) and the Clark Chicane (turn 4). Michael rejoined his pursuers as Mike fell back to Pevans and JP as they reached Albert Road (turn 3).
A burst of sixth gear down the back straight from Ben was no more than his fellow drivers expected. Rob hitting sixth was unexpected, but he got away with it. Michael tried it as well to keep in touch.
As Ben arrived in the final corner, Rob and Michael were chasing him hard through Ascari (turn 6). Jennie was well behind. Pevans ran into the back of JP when they arrived at turn 5. Then a sixth gear sprint saw Richard pass Mike and join them. Sean was still at the back.
Rob damaged his own car duelling for second with Michael in Stewart/Prost (turn 7). JP finally pulled ahead of Pevans into Ascari (turn 6).
Ben took the chequered flag. Rob out-dragged Michael on the final straight. The others finished in order, apart from Richard, who took Pevans on the final straight for sixth place.
Final Positions: 1 Ben (10 points), 2 Rob (8), 3 Michael (6), 4 Jennie (5), 5 JP (4), 6 Richard (3), 7 Pevans (2), 8 Mike (1), 9 Sean. DNF: Stephen.
Top
of page / Reports list / Main Swiggers page
It was a sunny start to the race as all eight cars got off the line all right. Richard made turn 1 in the lead from pole position as Rob hit Jennie and damaged both cars in the first straight. They collided again in turn 1 as seven cars massed there.
Mike caught Richard at turn 2, leaving the rest of the pack strung out down the straight.
Rob hit Pevans as they braked into turn 2 and his front wing fell off. Driving round the debris, Michael damaged his own wing on Pevans's rear tyres. The others made it past okay, but Michael then dented his wing again leaving the corner. Stephen was the last negotiating the turn.
Mike took the lead at turn 3. He made turn 4 as Jennie, Pevans, Michael and Ben caught Richard in turn 3. Stephen was just outside. Positions remained unchanged through turn 5 - except that Jennie dropped back from the traffic jam ahead to join Stephen.
Ben fell back on the way to turn 6. Michael clipped Pevans on the exit from turn 7 and rolled his car across the track. Stephen and Jennie caught Ben in turn 6.
Pevans sprinted to turn 8 to catch Mike, leaving Richard behind. Pevans took the lead in the last corner (turn 9). Ben caught Richard in turn 8, leaving Stephen and Jennie at the back.
Completing his first lap, Pevans dived into the puts with Mike right behind. A fast stop saw Pevans out again immediately. Ben went into the pits ahead of Richard as Mike came out and caught Pevans in turn 1. A charge in sixth gear saw Mike take the lead into turn 2 as Ben reached turn 1. Jennie and Richard left their pits as the mechanics rushed to change Stephen's tyres.
Mike hit the back straight as Pevans exited turn 2 and Ben entered. Richard and Jennie were on the way to turn 2 and Stephen in turn 1.
Ben caught Pevans in turn 3 and they caught up to Mike in turn 5. Ben's car was compressed as he squeezed between the other two, but continued racing. There was more damage in turn 6 as Mike dropped back from the leading group.
The wear and tear was clearly beginning to tell. Richard spun leaving turn 4 and Pevans did the same at the exit of turn 7. Jennie slammed past Richard and into turn 5 as Mike hurtled into turn 6 and Ben into turn 8 - giving Ben the lead.
Mike sped on past Pevans as Ben arrived in the last corner, chequered flag in view.
Richard and Pevans got back up to speed as Ben and then Mike crossed the line. Jennie caught Pevans in turn 8, chased him into the last corner and passed him on the final straight. Stephen processed round for fifth place ahead of Richard.
Final Positions: 1 Ben (10 points), 2 Mike (8), 3 Jennie (6), 4 Pevans (5), 5 Stephen (4), 6 Richard (3). DNF: Michael, Rob.
Top
of page / Reports list / Main Swiggers page
The race began with Chris on pole, followed by Richard, Michael, Jennie, Mike - current British (Midcon) and European (Gencon) champion, Rob and new driver Stephen. Missing from the grid was current London (Swiggers) champion Paul Evans, thought to be avoiding possible contact with the SARS virus. (I believe the weather was sunny throughout. So most people went with soft tyres.)
Chris and Richard raced into the first corner, the others following more cautiously. However, in the second corner the carnage began: Chris, Michael and Richard all suffered damage from collisions.
Chris and Richard made it into the next corner in 6th gear, leaving the rest of the field standing. Mike managed to overtake Michael and slipstream Jennie, but still failed to make the corner.
At the next attempt Rob made it, but overshot 4 spaces causing urgent use of brakes. Mike slid into him but caused no damage. Michael chickened out of the race for the corner and was overtaken by Stephen.
Chris was already into the 5th corner, but used up most of his tyres trying to stabilise the car (2 tyre points left). Richard was close behind.
Rob made it to the 4th, Mike again sliding into him and Jennie into Mike.
Chris had roared into the 7th corner by now, using 2 brake points to stay in. Richard had reached the 6th. Rob & Mike made the 5th corner around this time. Jennie also made it but overshot by 3 spaces.
As Chris gets to Turn 8 and Richard to Turn 7, Jennie overshoots the 6th corner by another 2 spaces, taking yet more tyre damage. Rob makes the corner, but disaster strikes Mike as he fails to get his car turned into the corner. He is soon overtaken by Michael.
Chris has now got to the pits and gone for a quick stop. Richard takes the last corner before the pits as Rob approaches it for his first stop. Jennie crunches her gears to get into the previous corner as Michael also makes it and slides into her side.
Chris roars out of the pits and takes the first corner as Richard attempts a quick pit stop, but fails due to the tardiness of his mechanics, who seem to have a glazed look about them.
Meanwhile the rest of the field are desperately trying to come through the last corners of the first lap. Rob overshoots one at the cost of two brake points and Mike at the cost of 4 tyres.
Richard gets out of the pits and into corner 1 as Rob comes in for a long pit stop. Amazingly Richard manages to catch up to Chris in the 2nd corner, sliding his car into him in the process. Rob is by now out of the pits and into corner 1.
Michael and Jennie have by now made their pit stops and emerged. Mike, who has had bad performance from his car all race, fails to get into the pits on his first attempt. His mechanics are obviously smoking the same stuff as Richard's as they do not improve the car at all causing Mike to fail to reach the first corner as he comes out.
Chris and Richard are coming out of the long 2nd corner as Rob, Michael and Jennie all enter it. Michael is left trailing the other two as novice driver Stephen overtakes him.
Chris and Richard are jostling through the 3rd and 4th corners, swapping the lead between them, with the rest of the field still lagging behind. Coming into the 3rd Michael catches up with Stephen and nudges his car to give them both a point of bodywork damage. Rob 'watch me finish' Milverton crashes his gears in order to slow for the 4th corner.
Jennie and Michael jostle through the 4th as both Chris and Richard miss the 7th (there is justice in this world!). At the back Mike overshoots the 2nd costing 2 brakes and 4 tyres. In fact He overshoots by so much that he catches up with Stephen, narrowly avoiding a major collision.
Into the final corner: Richard overtakes Chris and goes on to win the race. Both cars (and drivers?) end up totally wrecked. Jennie hits Michael's car in the 6th corner and takes bodywork damage. She also manages to hit Rob before going on to claim 3rd place.
Michael recovers from being nudged off the track by Jennie to sail through the last couple of corners and take 4th. Rob manages to keep what's left of his car in the race and goes on to claim 5th place. Novice driver Stephen comes in a respectable 6th in his first race. Current British champion Mike brings up the rear obviously concerned about his car's performance. However, it has been rumoured that his mind was on the forthcoming European championship a few days later, which he was to take part in and win.
Perhaps there will be a little more competition for our front runners if Pevans gets his SARS mask and returns for the next race and Mike can put his distractions behind him.
Final positions: 1 Richard (10 points), 2 Chris (8), 3 Jennie (6), 4 Michael (5), 5 Rob (4), 6 Stephen (3), 7 Mike (2).
Top
of page / Reports list / Main Swiggers page
The weather looked changeable at the start, but all the cars on the grid had dry weather tyres. Jennie and Mike took Pevans, the pole-sitter, as the pack piled into Turn 1: Michael and Ben were left behind. Chris took the lead out of the corner with Richard right behind him.
Chris and Richard led into Turn 2, leaving Jennie, Pevans, Mike and Ben behind. Michael was well down, but caught up in Turn 2. Only to drop back again at Turn 3.
Chris and Richard hammered down the back straight as Mike, Pevans and Jennie took Turn 5 and Michael and Ben exited Turn 4.
The big hairpin of Turn 6 started to spread the field out. Richard took the lead ahead of Chris. Mike caught Chris. Pevans and Jennie dropped back to Ben - who damaged himself and Mike taking the entry far too fast. Michael brought up the rear. By now the sun was shining and the weather remained fine for the rest of the race.
Richard was first into the pits at the end of the first lap. Chris was next, while the rest of the cars negotiated the last corner (Turn 7). Mike joined Chris in the pit. Pevans bumped Jennie on the exit from Turn 7, damaging both cars. Jennie went on, but Pevans pitted, Ben right behind him. A fast stop for Ben saw him out first. A fast stop for Michael saw him on Pevans's gearbox as they rejoined the circuit.
The cars were now well spread out, battling round the track. Chris and Richard were in Turn 3, Mike and Jennie on the way to Turn 2, Michael on his own, Pevans and Mike in Turn 1. Michael slipstreamed his way past four cars to enter Turn 2 in third place! The four battled each other as Michael set off in pursuit of the leaders.
Richard damaged his own car on Turn 6 battling with Chris. Then he slipstreamed past Chris into Turn 7 to take the lead. There was a puff of smoke from Mike's engine on the back straight as he followed Jennie and Ben into Turn 6. Chris re-passed Richard on the exit from the final corner and accelerated across the line.
In an effort to catch up, Pevans took the back straight and most of Turn 6 in sixth gear. Dropping down to second left him with very little car, but the effect on the others was stunning. Mike swerved past him and in behind Ben and Jennie, damaging both. Ben's rear wing detached and his car slewed off the track. The debris bounced off Jennie, denting the side pod, and crashed into the front of Mike, puncturing both tyres. Mike's car spun round and crashed into the back of Jennie, destroying her rear wing and gearbox.
Richard crossed the line second, while Pevans tip-toed round the debris. Michael was far enough ahead to finish safely third and Pevans came in fourth.
Final Positions: 1 Chris (10 points), 2 Richard (8), 3 Michael (6), 4 Pevans (5). DNF: Ben, Mike, Jennie.
Top
of page / Reports list / Main Swiggers page
As winner of the last race, Rob started from pole position in the sunshine. His luck immediately returned to normal as he stalled on the line. Then he collided with Jennie, damaging both cars. Michael led into Turn 1, but others were catching up. Pevans took the lead out of Turn 1, damaging his car and Jennie's as he did so. Richard damaged himself and Rob as they entered Turn 1. With the last car past, marshals rushed to clear the debris.
Pevans kept his nose in front of Jennie into Turn 3 while the rest arrived at Turn 2. As the pack powered on into Turn 3, Rob dropped back to trail them in last place.
A sprint from Turn 5 saw Pevans leave Jennie behind into Turn 6 (the slow corner). Richard tangled with Michael at Turn 5, damaging both cars. Mike charged ahead to catch Jennie in Turn 6.
Completing the lap, Pevans hammered flat out past the pit lane entrance and across the line. He entered Turn 1 in the lead, but rather too fast: there was a nasty grinding noise from his gearbox. Jennie pitted, but Mike went past to cross the line in second place. Jennie was third when she resumed the track and Richard went in to his pit.
Richard left the pits still 4th, but Michael surged past him to take the place into Turn 1. Rob pitted well last.
As Pevans flicked his car into Turn 4, Jennie, Mike and Michael were negotiating Turn 2. Richard was in Turn 1. And Rob was just leaving the pits.
Turn 6 saw Jennie narrow the gap to Pevans, leaving the other two behind. Richard caught up to them in the same corner.
Richard rammed Mike in Turn 7 as Pevans left the final turn (8) in the lead. Jennie put on the power through the turn, but couldn't catch him. Mike did the same to pass Richard in Turn 8 and get third place. Richard faltered and was passed by Michael as well. Rob was still a long way behind, but finished the race safely in sixth place.
Final Positions: 1 Pevans (10 points), 2 Jennie (8), 3 Mike (6), 4 Michael (5), 5 Richard (4), 6 Rob (3).
Top
of page / Reports list / Main Swiggers page
The grid started in reverse position from the 2001 Championship, which put Clive on pole as a new player and Pevans starting in eighth. All the cars made it off the grid fine. Clive was first into turn 1, closely followed by Michael. The first damage was sustained by Rob on the first straight. Clive made it into turn 2 as others arrived at turn 1. Pevans was still accelerating along the straight. Chris and Mike were just ahead of him, with a pack of four between them and Clive.
Clive still led into turn 3 with Jennie and Michael chasing, but Richard zoomed past all three. Then it started raining...
Cars slowed right down and still slid all over the place. Jennie took the lead in turn 4 (the slowest corner on the circuit) with Richard and Michael just behind. Rob got another dent in his bodywork by hitting Clive as they took turn 4. This corner also saw Chris taking some damage on the exit.
By turn 6 Jennie had a clear lead. There were pairs of cars racing each other behind her: Michael vs Rob, Richard vs Clive, Mike vs Chris. Pevans was clear last.
Rob caught Jennie in turn 7 with a burst of sixth gear down the back straight. Pevans caught Mike and Chris in turn 6. As the final three hurtled down the back straight, the sun came out and the track dried.
Pevans and Chris made up ground into turn 7, catching the cars in front. Chris caught 'em too hard and his car fell apart in the middle of the pack, damaging three others.
Rob and Jennie made their pit stops as the pack arrived at the final turn (9). Mike was at turn 8. The rest of the cars followed into the pits with only Clive taking a short stop.
Lap two started with Rob leading into turn 1 from Jennie. Clive’s quick stop put him just behind and the pack followed. Mike was now in with the pack, but was not going to stay there for long.
Jennie and Rob duelled their way around the circuit. Pevans, Richard and Michael ditto. Clive was between these groups and Mike was at the back.
Jennie pulled away on the back straight, leaving Rob in turn 6. The pack caught Clive in turn 5. Richard dropped behind the rest on the back straight, nursing what was left of his car. Clive went into back of Pevans in turn 7, knocked his rear wing off and was then blocked by the wreck. Meanwhile Richard had slowed sufficiently that Mike caught up with him.
The exit of turn 9 sealed the race as Rob got his nose ahead of Jennie and stormed down the straight to take the flag. Jennie finished second as Clive spun on the exit from turn 9. Michael stormed past him in third. Mike caught Clive to take fourth place and then Richard pottered by for fifth.
Final positions: 1 Rob (10 points), 2 Jennie (8), 3 Michael (6), 4 Mike (5), 5 Richard (4), 6 Clive (3). DNF: Chris, Pevans.
Race 7: Germany (Nürburgring) 9th July 2003
Race 6: Australia (Melbourne) 11th June 2003
Race 5: Austria (Zeltweg) 14th May 2003
Race 4: 16th April 2003 (Report by Mike)
Race 3: USA (Detroit) 19th March 2003
Race 2: USA (Indianapolis, Indiana) 19th February 2003
Race 1: USA (Elkhart-Lake, Wisconsin) 22nd January 2003