oneGP Rounds Reviews [Archive]

steven_martin

31st May 2008, 00:11

oneGP F1 World Series – Round 1 Review

The Kyoto circuit, with its national configuration featuring a hybrid road/oval layout, was the host for the first round of the inaugural oneGP F1 World Series on Saturday.
Now, forgive this reporter for seeming a tad misinformed or unable to give a greatly detailed analysis of the first round of the brand new series, but this would be because (i) as is usual with a new series there are a lot of new drivers that are unknown to some, and thus it take time to learn their names, let alone how they drive, and (ii) I’m not a statistician! However, I shall persevere and give you an analytical summary of the race as far as I can within my limited knowledge of the series to date.
After the short qualifying session, it was the Sonicrealms Racing team who had the clearest advantage, with Junkan and Turkey taking them to first and third on the starting grid respectively, with only Slen in between them. His Air Attack team mate – Martini – was on the third row in fifth, just behind Sitter from Pharaohs Racing, out-qualifying his team mate Thatguy; who could only manage eighth behind Jouman and Bateman of FLP Racing. Filling up the fifth row of the grid was the only driver this weekend from Formula Racing – Hibex – ahead of Flash-Racing’s sharky, three ahead of team mate meicci with AMD Capsule Racing’s Thunderhead ahead of Martini’s niko with the other AMD – driven by Wild – lining up at the back in fourteenth position.
So, onto the start grid; fourteen F1 World Series cars revving up their engines really is a beauty, especially in the eye of the beholder, as the all lined up for the start of the 39-lap race. And as the lights lit up individually, the drivers had their accelerators at the ready for that special moment when the lights go out and the teams can do no more; it’s every man for himself in their extremely powerful and fast racing cars at they leave the grid. Who were the winners and losers on lap one? Well, of course Junkan from pole leading into turn one meant that he had a gain of sorts; any fears of a poor start were now thoroughly overwhelmed. Sitter managed to jump from fourth to second by the end of the first lap, followed by Bateman who jumped up four places from seventh on the grid. And the losers? Well, Slen, Turkey and Martini all had disastrous starts, mainly due to accidents into the first few corners. Some drivers couldn’t wait to seemingly show their touring car credentials and make some contact to gain that additional position or two, and the damage that resulted from it harmed Turkey’s race, before he span his car and beached his rear wheels in the gravel trap.
After a few laps the racing settled down somewhat, with positions relatively matching the status quo. After 15 laps, two more drivers – Wild and Martini – were also out of the race due to a spin and a technical issue respectively. About ten laps after that, there was a large collision between the two Flash drivers of sharky and meicci after the former spun at the first complex of corners to be met by his team mate approaching at high speed; creating a terminal issue for both cars.
Meanwhile, at the front, Junkan was cruising in the lead in what was, apart from a spin soon after his pit stop creating minor damage, a seemingly comfortable race. Well, at least that’s how it looked anyway. Come the end of the 39 laps, he took the chequered flag and ten points for victory, 3.93 seconds ahead of Hibex, and a long way ahead of Jouman taking the bottom step of the podium. Sitter, Slen, Thatguy, Thunderhead and Niko were the other finishers, in that order, all taking home their share of the championship points.
Join us again this weekend at the Blackwood circuit for the second round of the inaugural oneGP F1 World Series, and catch out pre-race preview here very soon

steven_martin

31st May 2008, 00:12

oneGP F1 World Series – Round 2 Preview

Welcome everyone to the Blackwood GP circuit for the second round of the inaugural oneGP F1 World Series championship. The 2.1 mile (3.36km) track will host the 61-lap race, as Junkan looks to continue his on hundred per cent record in the championship so far, having taken the chequered flag at the Kyoto Ring (national configuration) two weeks ago.
So here we are, into the first European round of the season, in Britain, so let’s take a look at the track. It’s notorious for its very long back straight and flowing nature, with the esses and fast chicane after the first corner. The key sections of the track, from my point of view, are the chicane for the best exit onto the back straight to get right up the back of the car in front and gain from being in their slipstream; and also the right-hander at the end of that back straight because of the speed being achieved on approach being significantly reduced to be able to go through the corner – getting that braking zone perfect will be crucial, not just in qualifying but for any overtaking moves as well.
Now, later in the season I would fill this paragraph with an in-depth form guide, with all the championship movers from the last race and who is likely to take the goods home this weekend. Call me lazy, call me repetitive and unhelpful, but just take a look at my last race review from round one!
So, the cars will be lining up on the grid in hopefully sunny England, so if you’re racing then best of luck to you. If you’re watching then I’m sure it’ll be an exciting spectacle, so sit back ad enjoy!