This was the 5th race on the 4-lane
track and the final race out of 7 races in this season. They were all here:
"Viking", "McRay", "Pontiac51", "Beeli", "Lukas", "Alex", "Martin", "Nevermind",
"Wobi", "Ulrike" and "Andi". Only one wildcard driver: "Maxi TB". Under
the spectators of this final known names like "Karin", "Nathalie", "Nadja",
"Christina" and "Cray". And all over the place the same question: "Will Viking
be able to catch the points leader Pontiac51 in the final race?". "Viking"
would need a win to grab the lead, in this case "Pontiac51" would have
to finish 3rd to stay in front. On to the qualify, first "Lukas" took attention
with a blistering run, but it then was "Wobi",who drove his qualify as
third, but no one was able to beat his time later on. The rest of the field
looked like this:
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So "Alex", "Nevermind", "Maxi TB" and "McRay" competed
in Class C. Race was run as this: slowest driver chooses lane, fastest
driver chooses car, then after 1 race in the same configuration the controllers
are swapped, so everyone races each car on each lane. This means 4 races
(3 laps long) per round. Points for each race: 10 for 1st, 6 for 2nd, 4
for 3rd, 3 for 4th, 0 for DNF.
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This class seemed pretty close, but somehow "Nevermind" slipped by everyone to make it to the A-final. Maybe a little hot rod riding by the others was the cause.
"Martin", "Viking", "Beeli" and "Pontiac51" competed in
Class B.
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"Viking" making it all clear for the A-final, the only race he did a DNF was won by "Pontiac51", who duelled with Martin most of the time. So "Viking" was in A, "Pontiac51" down in B, no chance for him to counterstrike, if "Viking" would win the A-final.
Next was Class A with "Andi", "Lukas", "Wobi" and "Ulrike".
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A tough fighted class, with focus on fighted. "Wobi" sharp out in front, the others raced a tiebreaker to settle their final class.
After the pitstop for cleaning the cars and cooling track and minds the C-Final was on. Here "Ulrike" (A, 10pts), "Beeli" (B, 0pts), "Maxi TB" (C, 10pts) and "Alex" (C, 10pts) settled the positions 9 to 12.
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"Maxi TB" showed some skills on that one, finishing all 4 races, "Alex" not far behind him. 11th place was settled by a tiebreaker.
On to the B-Final, in there "McRay" (C, 12pts), "Lukas"
(A, 10pts), "Pontiac51" (B, 16pts) and "Martin" (B, 16pts), settling pos.
from 5 to 8.
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"Lukas" on the lead for the 5th place, even scoring a win on the hated lane1 (only "Viking" scored a win on this lane, too). "Martin" and "Pontiac51" into a tiebreaker for the last point in the championship. "Pontiac51" won...
This was it, the "Grande Finale". Would "Viking" get the
needed 10 pts.? Here their ways to the top: "Viking" (B, 30pts), "Nevermind"
(C, 24pts), "Andi" (A, 10pts) and "Wobi" (A, 16pts) drove for the grand
prix trophy.
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"Viking" in front grabbing the number one with an impressive 40pts score, "Nevermind" behind in 2nd, not bad for an 11th place in qualify. "Wobi" tried to beat the champ, flying off most of the time. "Andi", well, i say it was a blackout.
So the "Grand Prix Champion Trophy" was for "Viking", the "Pole Position Trophy" for "Wobi", the "Runner Up Award" for "Nevermind" and the "Steadiness Award" for "Beeli".
So the "esh slotcar racing championship '99" was over and in the final points it was "Viking" to hold the cup on the winners photo.
We interviewed some of the drivers after the race:
"Viking":
I found that the B-Class was much harder to drive then
the final, where i really had a clear run. After the qualify, i noted that
"Pontiac51" was in the same class. I knew the one, who would make it to
the A-class, would win the title. I'm happy it was me.
"Pontiac51":
Oh no, 2 pts away from the title in the final points,
talk about close. I should have raced harder in the qual, but choosed the
wrong car, call it arrogance. After "Viking"s qualify run, i tought i might
have a chance beating him off the A-final, but he was too strong. He really
earned the title and what would you have said, if i had won my own series?
:-)
"Mondial7" (e-mail from japan):
First let me thank Pontiac51 for setting up this incredible event. I really enjoyed every minute of it and I'm sure everyone else did as well.
Personally, I'm very pleased with my 3rd rank in the championships while missing the last three races. However, one must say that most of the other drivers (including the champion!) also skipped some races.
Finally my congratulations go to Viking. He can be safely called this year's fastest driver, although we had some close battles in the inofficial runs. But be warned: I'll be back!
"Nevermind":
I didn't worry about my 11th in the qualify, i was sure
about getting to the top and the results speak for themselves. I am pleased
with the final 4th place in the points, tough i only raced 2 races in this
season.
Congrats to all drivers, thank you, ladies and gentleman, for an exiting season. The Pontiac51 Raceway is closing for the winter and will be back in the february 2000. Till then, go fast, turn left...
Pontiac51