|
Interlagos
race report
by Peter Winsome
| Starting
grid |
| Team |
Name |
Nationality |
| Shadowfax |
1.
Zita Caneloni |
|
| Shadowfax |
2.
Mombasa Mohnam |
|
| Teaflax |
3.
Hagbard Celine |
|
| Jetta |
4.
Jeff Akbar |
|
| MacLuren |
5.
I. Falafel Paludrino |
|
|
WYCC |
6.
Mark Hero |
|
| Teaflax |
7.
Martin Wizinc |
|
| Jetta |
8.
Sue de Lou
|
|
A
clear blue sky and a relentless sun shone over the steaming
hot Interlagos track as Sue de Lou proved that, without
a doubt, she will be the one to beat this season. Qualifying
last after some engine problems, no one thought that the
Turkish Flyer would be able to grab a podium finish,
much less a first place.
Both
Shadowfax drivers showed in qualifying - and to a
lesser extent during the race - that the brand new SFX-2
engine is a major step up from the SFX-1 that blew up on
both of them at Silverstone. Sticking together through
most of the event, and outpaced only by Jetta's unstoppable
de Lou and home favourite Hagbard Celine for Teaflax
Race Team they scored a podium for Mexico's Zita
Caneloni in 3rd with Mombasa Monham of Zimbabwe
following close in 4th.
WYCC
Racing's Sun Starfire pulled out of the race
at the last moment due to a wakizashi injury, leaving brit
Mark Hero to defend the reds, which he did in his
usual steady fashion, racking up a 5th position from a 6th
place start, thus keeping the teams second spot in the total
standings.
Saudi-Arabian
debut driver I Falafel Paludrino qualified well at
fifth in his emerald green MacLuren, but drove tentatively
and maybe a tad too safe, finishing just outside the points
in 7th. MacLuren again failed to field a second car, citing
factory problems and sponsorship issues.
Most
of the drama of the day came from drivers who ended up low
in the final standings, but who approached the race with
great heart. Silverstone sensation Martin Wizinc
qualified badly and did his best to gain positions, throwing
his Teaflax Citroën into the corners on the slimmest
of margins. Sadly, he gambled a tad too hard toward the
end of lap 39, clipping the back of Mohnams car, and spinning
off in a cloud of dust.
Jetta
Racing's joy at de Lou's repeat first place was not unqualified,
however. Jeff Akbar, despite an early lead, lost
many positions due to faulty pit strategy and was fighting
his way back up when on lap 45, he went wide on curve 1,
the "S" do Senna, skimming across the grass
without stopping, earning him an immediate stop-and-go penalty
from the race marshals. Akbar still finished within the
points, but protested the decision as unfair, with the backing
of many other drivers and team principals. The decision
was upheld, although the unanimity of the protests will
lead to some changes in the handling of race marshal decisions
from the very next race.
All
in all, a tumultuous race that will have fans talking for
several weeks ahead - at least until Zandvoort. Maybe
the venerable Dutch race track will prove to be the first
rain race. Could this be de Lou's undoing, or will she prevail
even in adverse weather?
Stay
tuned.
| Final
qualifications |
| Team |
Name |
Nationality |
Points |
| Jetta |
1.
Sue de Lou |
|
10
|
| Teaflax |
2.
Hagbard Celine |
|
6
|
| Shadowfax |
3.
Zita Caneloni |
|
4
|
| Shadowfax |
4.
Mombasa Mohnam |
|
3
|
|
WYCC |
5.
Mark Hero |
|
2
|
| Jetta |
6.
Jeff Akbar |
|
1
|
| MacLuren |
7.
I. Falafel Paludrino |
|
0
|
| Teaflax |
DNF.
Martin Wizinc |
|
0
|
|
