Race Department Forum Racing Season 24

Andy 'Mars Bar' Graham · Jun 17, 2015

Jimlaad43 said:
Seeing as we're all doing excuses, I'll add mine - I was hanging up the washing.

It takes you around 4 hours to hang up the washing?

kedy89 · Jun 17, 2015

Keranen wins in photo-finish

Aidan Keranen could continue his strong form of the preseason tests, taking the win at the season opener in what was an extremely close race. From the start on 9 drivers at the front were only separated by a few seconds, swapping positions constantly. Keranen led the first few laps, until Engberink could get past. Graham slipped through as well, taking over the lead from Engberink shortly after with a nice move going into Senna S.
At the halfway point Harvey was in front, after he came out on top going 3 wide into turn 4 with the McLarens. The leading group was down to 5 drivers, as Ancevski, Laad and the Jaguars couldn't keep the pace any longer. With only a few laps remaining Rinneaho had a slight off in turn 7, losing important seconds. Keranen was leading going in the final lap, with Engberink, Harvey and Graham right behind. Going in turn 4 the Dutchman got past, but the race wasn't over yet. Taking a perfect line through the final corner Keranen could make use of Engberink's slipstream, retaking the lead just before the finish line. In almost the same way Graham passed Harvey, taking home a podium finish in his first race. Rinneaho in 5th rounded off the strong result for McLaren.
Places 6 to 9 were occupied by another battling group. After having lost touch to the leaders, Ancevski, Laad, Chant and Ishikawa were giving their all for 6th, with Ancevski keeping the upper hand in the end. Laad in his comeback race with a solid 7th place. The Jaguars crossed the line in formations flight, Chant just tenths ahead of Ishikawa. Second returnee Sigoulakis came home in 10th, while he wasn't far behind he didn't have the pace to challenge the cars ahead.
From this point on the gaps got bigger. Utzer in 11th was struggling with his tyres, while his touring car teammate Rautavaara had to make an extra stop. The Hondas and Ferraris followed, both lacking pace due to using wet weather setups, a gamble that didn't pay off. Behind them the Mobil 1 Mercedes drivers, the intern fights seemingly had a negative influence on their preparation. In last place Omer Said, who bet on the wrong horse when dark clouds appeared over the track. He pitted for wets, but had to come in again for slicks when the expected rain didn't turn up.

Next up: United States Grand Prix

RDFIA OFFICIAL PRESS CONFERENCE
@Aidan Keranen: One of the closest finishes in Forum Racing history, how long did it take until you had confirmation of the results?
@Tim Engberink: Beaten to second by thousandths only, happy about a decent start or disappointed to have missed out on the win?
@tigerkart_22: Impressive debut race, did you expect that in any way?

mystaaRS · Jun 17, 2015

I'm here now

Andy 'Mars Bar' Graham · Jun 17, 2015

kedy89 said:
@tigerkart_22: Impressive debut race, did you expect that in any way?

Nah mate, I expect wins

In all serious, it was an awesome debut, couldn't ask for any more. Great result showing there is more to come

the_sigman · Jun 17, 2015

Μy DRS was not working, I had the pace, but I could not pass

Milos · Jun 17, 2015

mystaaRS said:
I'm here now

now you know how me and Joel felt last season

the team's fault 100%. Messed up Joel's strategy and gave me a used engine from the tests.

also, I think this was my first Brazillian GP where I wasn't on the podium. My Brazillian GP reaction times are still good.. but not for a podium.

mystaaRS · Jun 17, 2015

Milos said:
now you know how me and Joel felt last season

the team's fault 100%. Messed up Joel's strategy and gave me a used engine from the tests.

also, I think this was my first Brazillian GP where I wasn't on the podium. My Brazillian GP reaction times are still good.. but not for a podium.

Except you both were way ahead of me in last season's standings

Aidan Keranen · Jun 17, 2015

kedy89 said:
RDFIA OFFICIAL PRESS CONFERENCE
@Aidan Keranen: One of the closest finishes in Forum Racing history, how long did it take until you had confirmation of the results?

Instantly. I've always had a keen eye, I could see it immediately. The team confirming it was simply straightforward and served more for their disbelief.
But a great day for the team, I'm a bit groggy right now and aren't sure if we've ever been in this position, leading both championships. Definitely a sweet moment.

Tim.E · Jun 18, 2015

kedy89 said:
@Tim Engberink: Beaten to second by thousandths only, happy about a decent start or disappointed to have missed out on the win?

Both, I'm happy with the great start, it's way better than last year. So happy is the right word to describe my feeling right now. Also a little bit dissapointed. Maybe if I jumped out the car I could've won but those remain to be seen

Dovi design · Jun 19, 2015

Let's predict this season's champion

kedy89 · Jun 19, 2015

United States Grand Prix
Feature Race

The second round of the season sees the paddock heading to the United States, to be more precise to Road America, a road course located near Elkhart Lake in Wisconsin. This'll be the first feature race this year, and as always it's important to get the perfect timing for the pitstops. Aidan Keranen goes into the race as favourite , having won the Brazilian Grand Prix and also dominated the final test session. The fans will sure hope for another exciting and close race as previously seen in Interlagos, and the layout of the track should certainly allow that. Without further ado, the United States Grand Prix is GOGOGO!!!