The 'F1 Challenge' Championship- 1999 Season

[the Masked Lapwing]

Who's brilliant idea was it to have a track go through a fricken forest? I got stuck on the side of the road for half an hour before anyone noticed I'd retired! By the way, thanks for the lift, Thomas.

[East Londoner]

How I am going to rue losing it at the Ostkurve. I was right behind Douglas for half the race, but the traction that Williams has off the corners is immense! Anyway, I finally got alongside him, when I hit Scott Menard's oil which had been left on the outside of the corner, causing me to do a 360 degree spin which totally wrecked the tyres. I managed to fight back after pitting and catch up to Douglas, but ran out of laps to pass him! Another 2nd place keeps me in title contention, but I desperately need to get a win and snap the 5 race winning streak.

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

How I am going to rue losing it at the Ostkurve. I was right behind Douglas for half the race, but the traction that Williams has off the corners is immense! Anyway, I finally got alongside him, when I hit Scott Menard's oil which had been left on the outside of the corner, causing me to do a 360 degree spin which totally wrecked the tyres. I managed to fight back after pitting and catch up to Douglas, but ran out of laps to pass him! Another 2nd place keeps me in title contention, but I desperately need to get a win and snap the 5 race winning streak.

I think you'll find it's 4 races, not 5! Anyway, I feel absolutely gutted to be lying in bed watching the home crowd cheer on... nobody. I really can't wait to get back in the car! I'll be having a few karting sessions soon, and by the end of the year, Prost will give me a few runs in the AP01, before we focus development on the AP02. Yes, that's me saying that I'm still committed to Prost, and that as long as Alain wants me, I'll stay. Great job to Douglas! But I think Damon was a slightly more deserving winner.

[dr-baker]

... but I desperately need to get a win and snap the 5 race winning streak.

I think you'll find it's 4 races, not 5! Great job to Douglas! But I think Damon was a slightly more deserving winner.

Indeed it is only 4 wins in a row, but six podiums! Take a look at the link below! And popularity means nothing to me when I have my sister and family out there supporting me!

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

Budapest, Hungary - Quali
Conditions: Wet then damp

Code: Select all

1) Daniel Martins  Benetton-Honda  1:18.083
2) Padraig O Connell  Ferrari  1:18.507
3) Damon Cannon  Arrows-BMW  1:18.819
4) Barii Mori  Williams-Renault  1:18.912
5) Douglas Mann  Williams-Renault  1:18.973
6) Phoenix McAllister  Arrows-BMW  1:19.562
7) Scott Menard  Ferrari  1:19.733
8) Hagane Shizuka  Benetton-Honda  1:19.882
9) Daniel Melrose  Jordan-Renault  1:19.932
10) John Zimmer  McLaren-Mercedes  1:20.099
11) Pippa Mann  Sauber-Petronas  1:20.257
12) David Koczo  Stewart-Ford  1:20.343
13) Philippe Nicolas  Jordan-Renault  1:20.760
14) Thomas de Bock  Sauber-Petronas  1:21.181
15) James Davies  Prost-Renault  1:21.889
16) Tristan Jung  Prost-Renault  1:22.018
17) Aurelien Moll  Prost-Renault  1:22.026
18) Jack Christopherson  Jordan-Renault  1:22.040
19) Ed Kevin  McLaren-Mercedes  1:23.006
20) Warren Hughes  Stewart-Ford  1:23.626
21) Nathanael Spencer  Minardi-Hart  1:24.533
22) Dave McFaste  Tyrrell-Yamaha  1:25.435
23) Giovanni Roda  Stewart-Ford  1:39.229

[SuperAguri]

Seems like Daniel and Padraig have gone for wetter setups, I have a more dry set up and I think it is likely to be dry tomorrow, so I might get a podium or even a win, well as long as my team mate does not punt me off the track again.

[Shizuka]

I have relations with Hungary, but this is just weird... RAIN!
I went for a dry setup - it might be a gamble, but since I have nothing to lose, why not. Maybe I can pull off a good race!

[East Londoner]

Blargh, my least favourite track on the calendar. I derive no pleasure in racing here. Like vitually everyone else apart from Daniel Martins and Padraig O'Connell, I chose a dry setup, and it nearly backfired significantly. Most people were spinning out at turn 1, including at one point where both Douglas Mann and Pippa Mann spun simulatanously. Roda ended up causing a massive accident where he just ploughed into the back of John Zimmer's McLaren, causing a red flag towards the end of the session. I managed to get a time good enough for 3rd just before. Hopefully, on race day the conditions will be dry and I can take the lead into the first corner for victory in what will be an immensley processional race, as per the norm here.

[MigelNansell]

Padraig O Connell Wrote:


Looks like the Luck of the Irish was shining on me today as I picked the right set up for the Hungaroring I love this circuit and can't wait for the race tomorrow hoping that the rain continues and I can lead Ferrari to their first win of the season. Scott had some tough luck but then don't they stop races in Cart when it rains?

[SuperAguri]

107% rule and 3 car teams to be abolished?

After Giovanni Roda posted a time that would have barely qualified him for a F3000 race, the F1C commision have hinted that they will introduce a 107% rule, although as all teams have to agree to the change there may be one team that will prefer a slow but paying pay driver rather then a non qualified car. The F1CC have also suggested that 3 car teams will be abolished, as most 3 car teams have a slower but paying pay driver, and a 2 car limit will be enforced, which should allow closer and more competitive racing.

[DanielPT]

My bet in an intermediate setup clearly paid of. Obviously the car is much quicker this time around and I would like to thank the whole team for their great effort back home. This is to show them that their sleepless nights were not in vain. I also like to thank my team-mate Hagane for his input in improving the car. I know the results don't show but he is a fantastic driver with an excellent technical input within the team and someone with I already learned much! Tomorrow I hope to finish in a podium since I know it will be hard to match the Williams, the Arrows and even Padraig Ferrari.

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

Budapest, Hungary - Race
Conditions: Dry

RACE FINISHERS

Code: Select all

1) Barii Mori  Williams-Renault
2) Damon Cannon  Arrows-BMW  +19.986
3) Daniel Martins  Benetton-Honda  +1:11.972
4) Padraig O Connell  Ferrari  +1:12.271
5) Phoenix McAllister  Arrows-BMW  +1:12.548
6) Hagane Shizuka  Benetton-Honda  +1 LAP
7) John Zimmer  McLaren-Mercedes  +1 LAP
8) Pippa Mann  Sauber-Petronas  +1 LAP
9) Philippe Nicolas  Jordan-Renault  +2 LAPS
10) Thomas de Bock  Sauber-Petronas  +2 LAPS
11) James Davies  Prost-Renault  +2 LAPS
12) Aurelien Moll  Prost-Renault  +3 LAPS
13) Dave McFaste  Tyrrell-Yamaha  +3 LAPS
14) Nathanael Spencer  Minardi-Hart  +4 LAPS
15) Giovanni Roda  Stewart-Ford  +7 LAPS

DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Code: Select all

1. Douglas Mann- 51
2. Damon Cannon- 40
3. Padraig O Connell- 34
4. Barii Mori- 31
5. Daniel Melrose- 29
6. Jeroen Krautmeir- 26
7. Philippe Nicolas- 21
8. Phoenix McAllister- 19
9. Daniel Martins- 17
10. John Zimmer- 13
11. James Davies- 10
12. Ed Kevin- 7
13. Scott Menard- 6
14. Thomas de Bock- 3
15. Jack Christopherson- 2
16. Pippa Mann- 2
17. Ron Mignolet- 1
18. Hagane Shizuka- 1

CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Code: Select all

1. Williams-Renault - 83
2. Arrows-BMW - 58
3. Jordan-Renault - 52
4. Ferrari - 40
5. Prost-Renault - 37
6. McLaren-Mercedes - 20
7. Benetton-Honda - 18
8. Sauber-Petronas - 5

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

MIGNOLET TO COMPLETE SEASON WITH PROST

Ron Mignolet has been appointed as Jeroen Krautmeir's replacement for the rest of the 1998 Formula 1 season. The young German driver, who was one of the favourites for the title, suffered a massive crash at Magny-Cours earlier in the season, and the French team entered Mignolet for two races, and Aurelien Moll for another two races. Alain Prost, team principal, announced the decision shortly after the Hungarian GP. "We believe that Ron certainly did a very good job while he was with Prost GP, and we think he'll be the suitable replacement. I would just like to thank Aurelien for all the effort that was put in."

[Shizuka]

I finally scored a point!

[SuperAguri]

Yes finally a win and a crushing win at that. Made a perfect start and led from start to finish. As stated I believed that O Connell and Martins were on wetter set ups and they struggled to keep up losing about a second a lap in the dry. I do feel sorry for my team mate, I mean it is a error that you would expect a rookie to make rather then a talented driver like Douglas, but crashing in the pitlane does take some skill. Still the win has got me to 4th and a few more good results could make me challenge for the championship.

This is what Douglas did http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxAEFEEo-Bo

[East Londoner]

Another race, another 2nd place. By all accounts, I should have won this. Unfortuantly, I muffed my start up, which allowed Barii to shoot past into the lead. I easily picked off Padraig and Daniel, settling into 2nd with Douglas right behind me. I still cannot believe how he managed to spin and crash in the pit entry, but I can't help but wonder if a certain G.Roda had something to do with it. I'm 11 points behind Douglas in the championship standings. A win is desperately needed, and with Spa-Francorchamps, one of my best circuits up next, there is a big chance.

[DanielPT]

I am obviously happy with the podium. I managed to accomplish my goals for this race. It was clearly quite difficult to keep faster people behind but I still managed to keep Padraig and Phoenix behind to finish and earn a very deserved haul of points for the team since they've been pushing a lot for upgrades since the beginning of the season and now that we found our feet I hope that we can improve and keep challenging for podiums until the end of the season.

[dr-baker]

I do feel sorry for my team mate, I mean it is a error that you would expect a rookie to make rather then a talented driver like Douglas, but crashing in the pitlane does take some skill.
This is what Douglas did http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxAEFEEo-Bo

Thank you for acknowledging my skill and congratulations on your win. I bet Murray Walker had never seen that before. I am looking forward to scoring again in the next few races and defending my 11 point lead against a familiar rival from last year...

[Wizzie]

*Throws helmet against garage wall* For f***'s sake. With our drier set up we were keeping up with the Williamses of Mori and Mann in our most competitive showing in a while and then that idiot Roda takes me out just before half distance.

[MigelNansell]

Padraig O Connell Wrote:


We gambled and we lost we set the car up for wet weather after all the reports said we would have rain all weekend and then we didn't It was impossible to change it back over the race and infact I'm glad we got 4th it's still valuable points for the championship and proves we belong with the front runners.

[tristan1117]

Well, after yet another crash and burn race, (taking out both Jaco Christopherson and McFaste) I am beginning to worry about my future at Prost.

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

Spa, Belgium - Quali
Conditions: Dry

Code: Select all

1) Damon Cannon  Arrows-BMW  1:48.895
2) Barii Mori  Williams-Renault  1:49.075
3) Daniel Melrose  Jordan-Renault  1:49.254
4) Douglas Mann  Williams-Renault  1:49.363
5) Daniel Martins  Benetton-Honda  1:49.529
6) Padraig O Connell  Ferrari  1:49.628
7) Tristan Jung  Prost-Renault  1:49.779
8) Hagane Shizuka  Benetton-Honda  1:49.869
9) Ron Mignolet  Prost-Renault  1:50.140
10) John Zimmer  McLaren-Mercedes  1:50.262
11) Phoenix McAllister  Arrows-BMW  1:50.345
12) Pippa Mann  Sauber-Petronas  1:51.080
13) Scott Menard  Ferrari  1:51.647
14) Thomas de Bock  Sauber-Petronas  1:51.877
15) David Koczo  Stewart-Ford  1:51.907
16) Ed Kevin  McLaren-Mercedes  1:52.186
17) James Davies  Prost-Renault  1:52.465
18) Jack Christopherson  Jordan-Renault  1:52.615
19) Philippe Nicolas  Jordan-Renault  1:52.894
20) Warren Hughes  Stewart-Ford  1:53.711
21) Nathanael Spencer  Minardi-Hart  1:53.833
22) Dave McFaste  Tyrrell-Yamaha  1:53.916
23) Giovanni Roda  Stewart-Ford  1:58.965

[Wizzie]

Spa is a circuit which I've always loved to drive on and today it was made all the better with the car working beautifully around here. Our race pace has always been good so hopefully we'll be able to challenge for the win.

[tristan1117]

Roda's only five seconds back?

[MigelNansell]

Padraig O Connell Wrote:


6th on a track like Spa isn't the end of the world and with 3rd and 6th seperated by less than half a second it is gonna be a hell of a race I along with Scott will be pushing hard to see what we can get hopefully a double podium would be nice, Someone told me Roda was only 10 seconds back does anyone else think he's cut a few corners or is it just me?

[East Londoner]

Spa is my favourite circuit on the calendar. I always enjoy driving here. For the second year in a row I've taken pole position. My most likely challengers will probably be the two Williams drivers plus Daniel Melrose. I hope for a clean fight and a clean drive to victory. What no-one wants to see is a repeat of last year's farce, where everyone was aquaplaning off left right and centre, and still the red flag wasn't shown.

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

Spa, Belgium - Race
Conditions: Wet

RACE FINISHERS

Code: Select all

1) Damon Cannon  Arrows-BMW
2) Daniel Melrose  Jordan-Renault  +33.074
3) Padraig O Connell  Ferrari  +1:02.745
4) Tristan Jung  Prost-Renault  +1:40.222
5) Barii Mori  Williams-Renault  +1:40.635
6) Daniel Martins  Benetton-Honda  +1 LAP
7) Ron Mignolet  Prost-Renault  +1 LAP
8) John Zimmer  McLaren-Mercedes  +1 LAP
9) Scott Menard  Ferrari  +1 LAP
10) David Koczo  Stewart-Ford  +2 LAPS
11) Ed Kevin  McLaren-Mercedes  +2 LAPS
12) James Davies  Prost-Renault  +3 LAPS
13) Philippe Nicolas  Jordan-Renault  +3 LAPS
14) Warren Hughes  Stewart-Ford  +3 LAPS
15) Nathanael Spencer  Minardi-Hart  +3 LAPS

DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP

Code: Select all

1. Douglas Mann- 51
2. Damon Cannon- 50
3. Padraig O Connell- 38
4. Daniel Melrose- 35
5. Barii Mori- 33
6. Jeroen Krautmeir- 26
7. Philippe Nicolas- 21
8. Phoenix McAllister- 19
9. Daniel Martins- 18
10. John Zimmer- 13
11. James Davies- 10
12. Ed Kevin- 7
13. Scott Menard- 6
14. Thomas de Bock- 3
15. Tristan Jung- 3
16. Jack Christopherson- 2
17. Pippa Mann- 2
18. Ron Mignolet- 1
19. Hagane Shizuka- 1

CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP

Code: Select all

1. Williams-Renault - 85
2. Arrows-BMW - 68
3. Jordan-Renault - 58
4. Ferrari - 44
5. Prost-Renault - 40
6. McLaren-Mercedes - 20
7. Benetton-Honda - 19
8. Sauber-Petronas - 5

[Malinth]

I'm just goddamn pissed with myself. Ye know, I was running a strong race, and you know I love the wet, I scored that podium in Austria, and I think I set a string of fastest laps and I was fourth, so that was great. Then I came up behind the two Williams cars, and I guess I just misjudged their positions. I went in at Blanchimont, which I guess is no place to pass, but I was hungry. So I went for it, whacked Barii, who in turn whacked Doug, and Doug went flying off, and Barii went spinning. Then my pitstop took goddamn forever, but I can't blame the team for that. So, yeah, I think I could have made it pass Danny at least, but, gotta learn from my mistakes I guess. And, well, sorry Doug and Barii.

[East Londoner]

Oh yes! It's nice to be back on the top step of the podium. Everything went right for a change. The conditions were not as bad as last year, thank God. I was helped slightly by the three-way collision between the two Williams drivers and Scott Menard. This means I've more or less demolished the 11 point gap between me and Douglas, shaping up for a cracking end of the season.

[Shizuka]

I retired. Again. How surprising?

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

F1CC INTRODUCES CHANGES

The F1CC Commission, which sanctions the F1 Challenge Championship, has announced several changes to the sport, with some changes to come into effect by the next race in Italy. The changes are as follows:

22 Car Rule
From the 1998 Italian Grand Prix onwards, the F1CC Commission will enforce the '22 car rule'. This means that only the 22 fastest cars in qualifying will be allowed to race.

Penalties
From the 1998 Italian Grand Prix onwards, penalties will be handed out to drivers and teams on the following basis;
Drive Through Penalty: Will be given if a driver is deemed to have cut a section of the track and gained an advantage/Will be given for excessive blocking. Penalty must be answered within 3 laps of when penalty was given.
Stop & Go Penalty: 10 seconds will be given if a driver is deemed to have jumped the start of a race. 5 seconds will be given if a driver exceeds the pitlane speed limit.
Maximum 500,000 £ Penalty: Will be given if a team is deemed to have broken the technical regulations of the F1CC. Applicable to engine and tyre manufacturers as well.
10 Place Grid Penalty: Will be applicable to a driver or/and an entire team if one is deemed to have broken the rules or/and regulations of the F1CC during qualifying.

4-Groove Tyres
From 1999 onwards, tyre manufacturers must manufacture tyres with four grooves on both front and rear tyres.

Budget Caps
In 1999, all teams will be subject to a budget cap of £150 Million, and from 2000 onwards, a budget cap of £100 Million. All expenses of teams must be made public to the F1CC Commission, and spending will be monitored by a special board of F1CC officers. Should it be deemed that a team has exceeded the budget cap, it is liable to a maximum of £100 Million fine.

Engines
From 1999 onwards, all teams must utilize a 3.0 V10 engine.

Testing
All entrants of an F1CC season must attend a maximum of 2 'group' tests, in which at least 1 car and 1 driver from each team is present at a given test venue. 'Private' tests will be limited on the following basis. The top 5 teams from the the previous season will be allowed a maximum of 5 private tests. The other teams will be allowed a maximum of 8 private tests. All teams must submit a form for permission from the F1CC Commission for private tests. Should a team be convicted of exceeding its limit, it is liable to a maximum of £50 Million fine.

Driver Aids
From 1999 onwards, driver aids will be banned. A team found to have such devices in one car will be liable to a £2.5 Million fine. In two cars or more, £5 Million.

[the Masked Lapwing]

That race was... well... boring. Where did the attrition go?

[Wizzie]

Now THAT's what I'm talking about. We kept up with Damon for the first few laps before he sprinted off into the distance and from there it was simply a job of keeping ahead of the Williamses and Ferraris which we did. I honestly don't know what happened to Phillipe as he was driving like a bat out of hell and had made his way into the top 10 by about lap 7 before simply falling off a cliff although the fact McAllister retired at about lap 7 does give some clues. Hopefully we can maintain this form until the end of the season to give us a chance at the championship

[dr-baker]

Well, thank goodness for the large points margin I had just a few races ago. Just need to start scoring again soon...

What a crud season. I managed to score more points in that dire Mastercard Lola last year (even if it were through a fortunate podium...). Roll on next year...

[DanielPT]

I am happy for another points paying position. We knew that the Honda engine would bring us to the front of the grid and that surely happened. It is a strong engine with a good top speed. The upgrades we devised for this race also did the trick and we ended in 6th after starting in 5th. It would be difficult, of course, to live with the faster cars that qualified around us, but lately we've been encouraged by mixing with them! I can't wait until the next race and be sure we will prepare our car accordingly.

[SuperAguri]

I am livid at the stupidity of Scott Menard esp in the wet, I was in 3rd with Mann in 2nd, I was on a one stopper and I knew I just had to stay in 3rd and I could win the race but this pillock cuts inside and a 3 way crash happens, Mann was beached and had a missing wheel so was going nowhere. I span but had to come into the pits for a new nose, so lost about a minute just getting back to the pits and lost 30 seconds whilst in the pits. I tell you this could have been my race, Mr Menard will only be on Mr Cannon's cristmas card list this year...

[tristan1117]

What!? 4th place! Impossible.

[MigelNansell]

Padraig O Connell Wrote:

I'll take 3rd after that race Spa is a great circuit but in the wet it is something else I was lucky to get a decent start and by Eau Rouge I was up to 3rd behind Melrose and would had caught him except for that idiot Roda he was touring around and on lap 10 he suddenly moves across just before Eau Rouge I was luck to keep the car in one I had to drift up past him which at that corner is not something I'd reccomend to anyone especially in the wet. I then got nearly taken out by Scott when he had his little nascar moment and then I had to queue up when he nicked my scheduled pit stop. I know in Indy Car they are use to different things but he better catch on quick before I end up beating the crap outta him.

[This]

Didn't have much time to talk about the race as i was Combining this race with attending Graspop Metal Meeting but it seems this got the adrenaline going and i did a pretty good race. Also it looks as with my input, the Prost team is competitive again. What on earh was that Moll guy doing being so slow? Sadly i nearly missed out on a point finish, because my guitar, eh, my car was handling difficult due toa bad set of tires.

[Phoenix]

Shite, reliability is still eluding me. I hope I can score at the next race because I really have the pace to do so. Oh, and I like the new rules; Giovanni Roda will not start a F1 race for shite again. The better for everyone.