LFS Beginner's Cup Round 3 Race Report
Written by Joseph Ellis, 31 August '08
This week's LFSBC was held at the Kyoto National Circuit. Only 8 racers turned up for the event, but nevertheless, it was still enjoyable.
The long run down to turn one gave several racers the chance to make up positions immediately after the race start. Michael Klenke got a blinding start, his four-wheel-drive RB4 was much quicker off the mark, allowng him to go from 7th to 2nd in a matter of seconds. Nikolai ott slipped down into last place, after he was overtaken by both Chris Karsten and Calvin Gonçalves de Aquino.
Klenke's success was not to last, as he soon found out when he was overtaken by 3 FXOs on the Start/finish straight, just minutes later. Joe Keaveney was right on the tail of David Novak, as the third lap approached. He managed to keep up, but never got close enough to make a pass. Further down the field, Klenke had been passed by Karsten and Ott, leaving him in 7th place. The number 141 car of Klenke was already suffering from tyre problems, only 1/3 of the way into the race. He was running wide at nearly every turn, and was now well off the pace. This gave Aquino the opportunity to make a pass on the fifth lap.
Nikolai Ott was suffering a similar fate to that of Klenke, with his front left tyre on the verge of giving in. He was severely understeering into the corners. Michael Klenke pitted on lap 8 to repair damage, but suprisingly, he did not change his overheated tyres!
The front runners, Darryn Lobb in particular, were managing their tyres very well indeed. The difference in driving styles was really starting to show. Going into lap 10, it was Lobb, Novak and Keaveney occupying 1st, 2nd and 3rd, respectively. The field was now very much spread out. Lobb clipped the grass upon entry to a corner in lap 11, which resulted in him spinning out. Luckily for him, he had a large enough lead over Novak to maintain 1st place.
A scrap for fourth began between Chris Karsten and Yann Laprevotte, as they entered the penultimate lap. Karsten was the eventual winner of the position. Laprevotte's tyres were beginning to overheat. Aquino also managed to gain a position on the final turn, as Ott's tyres were on their last legs.
Lobb scored a well deserved win. His careful but quick driving had really paid off.
