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In contrast to last week’s atrocious conditions in Canada, Sweden turned on its best bright, sunny conditions for an exciting round at Falkenberg. As promised, the racing was busy, close and exciting but passing near impossible. Qualifying was close with only one tenth separating the top four; Craig Larkin (42.729), David,  Mike and Dan in that order. Dan made a great start, passing Mike and pulling up alongside Frenchy before Turn 1. David had the inside line though and Dan fell in behind as they went through the first corner in the order the top three were to finish 49 laps later. Craig built up a healthy gap (FL 42.65) which was fortunate as he moved over too soon after passing a backmarker, clipped him and spun, managing to rejoin just in front of Frenchy in second place. Craig was unfazed by his excursion and carefully made his way through the heavy traffic who were involved in their own battles to take the win with more than 12 secs lead. Despite plenty of grass mowing and starving for fuel on the last lap, David kept it pointed in the right direction to take second ahead of Dan, who had enough pace to recover from an altercation with an advertising board without losing the third place he gained off the line, and take his first MGPL podium. The strong field of fourteen and the small, tight track made for an intense close race which was a bit frustrating for some. Particularly for Leon who concedes a large bag of points to Larko in the battle for the championship by finishing ninth.

Next week, we head to the Pacific North-West, USA where the fast but technical Pacific Raceways circuit is bound to provide a few more overtaking opportunities and plenty of exciting racing. Head over to Sean’s alternative web site for Race Reports and Replays, more news and forums or to post/download some setups.

Championship leader Craig larkin had been showing great pace in practice during the week, so it came as no surprise when he took pole with a magnificent time of 1′27.89 in atrocious, wet and slippery conditions at Mosport (Rain). Leon had put in a good effort though and was only one and a half tenths and one place back on the grid. Larko’s wise words on the grid to take it easy T1 and T2 were probably ringing in his ears as he clipped the inside curb at T2 and slid wide on the grass. Further back in the field the slippery conditions caused a chain reaction of chaos at T1 as well. Leon didn’t need a second invitation and disappeared in to the misty gloom, never to be seen again except by backmarkers. Larko recovered well, pushed his way past a cautious Leigh and used his superior pace to join Sean, Frenchy and Burnsy who were battling hard in the second group. After several laps, first Sean, and then David slipped back to leave the two Craigs to tussle for the remaining podium places. After an intense fight, Larko drafted by and was looking good to hold off Burnsy when a backmarker lost control and took him out with only a few laps to go. In a generous and gentlemanly gesture, Burnsy let him back past and they finished in that order. Craigs fighting comeback means that Leon’s victory doesn’t eat too much in to his healthy lead which still stands 20 points, but with four rounds still to go anything is possible.

Next week we head to Falkenberg where Goran has been busy shovelling snow in preparation for his home race. The home track advantage may be the key for the all important qualifying. Falkenberg has similar characteristics to Crystal Palace; a short ‘busy’ track that encourages close racing but not passing. Head over to Sean’s alternative web site for Race Reports and Replays, more news and forums or to post/download some setups.

Qualifying was tight on the small Crystal Palace track with only five hundredths of a second separating the top four. Goran had pole (53.29) but Leon was quickly on his tail moving past David at the start and slipping in to the lead down the back straight after only a couple of laps. One lap later and Frenchy drilled Goran coming out of Ramp Bend and both fell back, giving Leon a healthy lead. Try as they might, the two Craigs were unable to hunt Leon down and he kept a good lead to the chequered flag. Larko (FL 52.93) passed Burnsy in the process and they filled the rest of the podium in that order. It wasn’t an easy win for Leon though, as the short tight track meant a lot of traffic to negotiate which provided plenty of excitement for all. Leon’s win jumps him up to equal second with Burnsy in the championship ladder, although larko still holds a full race win points advantage.
Next weeks track is at once both familiar and strange to most of us, as we head to Mosport in the rain (Mosprain). Early testing has shown that drivers will need plenty of practice to cope with the tricky conditions; wet, slippery track, limited visibility and the deafening sound of torrential rain and thunder. It provides a great atmosphere to test all drivers skill. Drivers are encouraged to test at this track at the earliest opportunity as their equipment will need to be up to the latest standard. Head over to Sean’s alternative web site for Race Reports and Replays, more news and forums or to post/download some setups.

At the scene of his first ever MGPL win, David produced a surprise return to form to take pole and the win in Round 4 at Watkins Glen. Championship leader Larko qualified close behind and was keen to advance his lead further, but a first corner incident meant it was the other Craig (Burnsy) who put up the challenge. Although the time sheets show Frenchy leading every lap it was not that simple. Burnsy was right in the slipstream for all of the race except for the occasions when he ducked by to take the lead for a few corners in an exciting but clean battle that went right to the flag. Mike kept the leaders in sight for most of the race but eventually slipped back to let the recovering Larko (FL 1′09.22) take the final podium place. Once again the 65 F1 machines provided exciting racing, not only for the leaders but for the rest of the field as the faster racers carved through the field after the T1 incident. Larko’s podium means he retains a good lead in the championship, while Burnsy overtakes Mike for second place.
Next week’s race at Cadwell looks set for a change of venue as early testing has revealed problems that won’t be resolved before next week. Keep an eye on the forums at the new site for further news.

Craig Larkin took the win after starting from pole in a drama packed race that saw a huge pile-up on the grid and a number of unfortunate reirements. Craig was ecstatic to claim his first MGPL pole (1′07.68) from Leon, but found it was not the place to be as the starter dropped the flag out of his view and Leon shot away to take the lead. Goran’s quick reactions saved Craig from being rear-ended but was not so lucky himself. Mike was the only other driver to escape the carnage and the lead trio battled hard for the first few laps. Leon was never headed though, and when first Craig and then Mike made mistakes, Leon built an unasssailable lead. It was all for nought though, as a technical issue took him out with less than three laps to go and a surprised Craig took the win from Tim and Sean who both drove well to recover from the start line chaos.

Larko’s second win in a row gives him a clear lead of 23 points in the championship from Mike. The battle for second is intense though as Mike has another four drivers within 2 points. Next week sees the MGPL circus head to an old favourite at Watkins Glen, USA.

Head over to Sean’s alternative web site for Race Reports and Replays, more news and forums or to post/download some setups.

Once again the 65 F1 cars provided a thrilling race at Monza. Early leader Wayne succumbed to engine troubles leaving a five way battle for the lead between Larko, Mike, Goran, Leon and Burnsy. Leon and Larko were the main contenders though, swapping the lead on most laps all the way through the race. In the end, it was Leon who made an uncharacteristic mistake in the final turn and fell to fourth, leaving Craig to take the win and letting Goran and Mike take the podium places. Monza sets up an exciting race every time with the drafting and passing opportunities but what made this such a memorable race was the excellent skill shown by the MGPL drivers with no contact despite racing wheel to wheel for the entire race.

Craig L. now takes the early lead in the championship by 7 points from Wayne, with Goran (Van Tussman) not far behind. Next week sees us travel to a less familiar track at Westwood which is sure to test the the drivers talents even further.

Leon led the field away after a tense qualifying battle in which he was the only driver to qualify in the 14’s (1′14.75) but saw the next 5 places separated by only two tenths and the rest of the large field not far behind. Wayne overtook David, and Larko overtook Goran (Van Tussman) off the start but the leaders kept it steady for the rest of the first lap and when they started Lap 2, Leon held a slender lead from Tim, Wayne, David, Mike, Craig and Goran. In fact most of the field still had the leader in their sights. Into T1 though and Frenchy runs wide and falls to the back of the field while Tim drafts Leon down the long straight, daringly outbrakes him into the double right and takes the lead. On the next lap, Wayne sneaks past Leon and the top three held station for the next five laps until Tim loses power coming in to T1 and spins. Wayne slows and takes avoiding action while Leon slides through before the yellows can be waved. Leon, Wayne and Larko continued an exciting battle for the lead with Wayne getting Leon on lap 22. Leon tried hard to get him back but had a small spin and let Larko through. Craig tried hard to get Wayne in the last couple of laps (FL 1′14.79) but Wayne kept it steady to take the win. Meanwhile down through the field there had been many exciting battles that many will be eager to continue at next weeks round at Monza.

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