Unbeaten Greger leads the way
August 14, 2010Team Redline travelled back to Road America this week led by the team captain Greger Huttu. Greger who has won 12 out of 12 was looking for his 13th pole in a row and a 13th win - he didn't disappoint! Taking another emphatic victory in the premier sim-racing championship. Greger was also joined by Ben who is battling for overall 3rd place in the championship.
So, once again Greger sealed the pole with a 1.45.9, this time ex-Team Redline driver Richard Towler was pretty close with a 1.46 flat, Ilkka Haapalla in 3rd and Ben sealing out 4th place with a 46.4. With qualifying so tight the strategy would be crucial, Greger got a huge start and managed to slowly pull away, however the interest lay in the battle for 2nd, 3rd, 4th. Ben managed to go further into the run and come out ahead of Richard and Ilkka, this was a pivotal moment for the championship, but would it last - no. After quickly reaching ailing backmarker Tim Holgate, confusion reigned and Tim blocked Ben and there was contact. From there Bens car was damaged and the initiative was handed back to Richard and Ilkka, Ben had to settle for a tough 4th place which puts him equal 3rd in the championship.
Here are some of the driver reactions.
Greger:
wasn't sure what to expect with the new build, but I ran a similar setup as in the previous race here and the Team Redline Fanatec Dallara was pretty good!
I did two decent laps in qual, not optimal but it was enough for pole again, although it was close. In the start I went when the lights turned green and got a good start. Ilkka followed me closely so I took the inside line into T1 and held on to the lead. I also had a bit of a choppy frame rate on the first lap or two, but only in the T5 area and it wasn't too bad so I managed to pull away right from the beginning.
I had good pace so I didn't have to overdrive or anything like that and I was able to just focus on hitting my marks. I wanted to push just to get out in a good spot after my first stop on lap 14 which worked out nicely. On the second stint I took it a bit easier although I picked up the pace again a little before my second stop.
The last run was just about bringing it home so in the end it was a pretty straightforward race. I just watched the broadcast and it was again awesome. Great job by Jack, Frosty and the gang. I enjoyed watching the battle for P2 with Ilkka, Rich and Ben! Anyway, thanks to Fanatec for the support and on to the next one.
Ben had this to say:
Qualified poorly as usual, however everyone else choked too, so I started 4th. That was ok.
Start was uneventful and settled in behind Rich and Finn. With the new physics I knew that it would be impossible for them to drive away from me so I went full fuel and just sat behind them. Was a good battle at times, everyone drove well and cleanly.
As I predicted, I was able to get an extra lap out of my fuel and that allowed me to jump Rich and Finn in the stop. I came out comfortably ahead which gave me the room to get my tyres up to temp. Then we approached Tim Holgate. For some reason which I cannot fathom, Holgate decided at the moment I caught him going into turn 2, to back off the throttle, basically roll through the corner, then exit the turn in the middle of the track. Catching me entirely by surprise, I went right to avoid this inexplicably slowing car and then watched as it turned right and straight into the side of me.
It was the most unpredictable, random bit of driving I've seen all DWC. Not a hint of apology during the race and post race the quote, "like i give a ..." Pathetic.
From that point on my car was bent, I finished 4th which isn't too bad considering.
The team head off to Silverstone next, with the likely return of Dom, Luke and Bastien.
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