Insanity At Interlagos! (FRL iMotoring Monday Race Review)

It was the end of another manic Monday.

After returning home from work, I leapt straight onto the rig and jumped into that evening's FRL (Formula Racing League) iMotoring Monday race.

It was the penultimate round - at Laguna Seca just 120 points were on offer - now that's been reduced to just 80.

In theory, any one of the Top 6 drivers in the championship (all of the regular attendees) could still take home the championship - they'd just have to fight tooth and nail for it.

Qualifying

qualifying ended...predictably with Klaassens taking his 9th pole position out of 11 races - and continued his 100% front-row streak.

Joining him on the front row was Steven Young - who's joined Klaassens on the front row in a whopping 4/11 races so far - more than any other driver on the grid.

I (and I believe the rest of the grid) wanted to challenge Klaassens, so I dared him to start from the pit-lane - which - it's fair to say, spiced up the action a fair bit.

The Race

Get your popcorn out, because this was an absolute classic from the moment the lights went out.

Right on cue, I was called (on messenger) in the braking zone of turn one - my screen went black - just like at Laguna Seca - and by that point, I was just a passenger.

Unfortunately, unlike Laguna Seca, I did wipe out the leader by giving him a light tap, which tapped him into a spin - behind us the field scattered avoiding the two stranded cars, lying in the middle of the track - De Filippis in 3rd took to the grass, Cooper and Brough dodged and weaved through a maze of cars - Cooper miraculously going from 6th and last to first in the space of just two corners.

As Cooper dissapeared off into the lead, De Filippis rejoined from his lawn-mowing adventure...right into the path of Brough - Brough ploughing into the side of De Filippis at full pelt (60mph) spinning De Filippis around, and giving both significant damage.

Well... I say Cooper dissapeared off into the lead - Klaassens absolutely lucked out - leaving the pit-lane and having a clear track ahead of him - whilst the rest of the pack figured themselves out after an incredibly messy start.

No matter where Bjorn starts - he'll always find the lead one way or another

By the end of the first lap, Klaassens managed to pull out a 7-second gap over Cooper in second.

After a...clumsy start from me, I started the second lap in 4th as Brough pitted for (major) repairs and De Filippis limped away from the scene of the accident - I had a long day ahead of me - just Klaassens and Young lay ahead of me - two of the best drivers in the league.

It was going to be a thrilling race (out of 10 races):

Klaassens: 8 Podiums (x7 Wins | x1 2nd)

Young: 5 Podiums (x4 2nd | x1 3rd)

Truswell: 3 Podiums (x2 Wins | x1 2nd)

But Klaassens race was about to unravel before his very eyes...

Seemingly due to fuel-related reasons, Klaassens pitted for fuel (and tyres) at the end of the second lap, giving the lead to Cooper behind.

As Klaassens emerged, it was Cooper, Young, Truswell, Filippis - then Klaassens himself.

Cooper had an absolutely flawless start - not putting a wheel wrong for the first 10 laps - and led with a cool, level head - but sadly his laps in the lead were numbered - Young was catching him - lap after lap and by the end of Lap 5, had caught up with Cooper.

It only took the smallest mistake from Cooper - running deep into "Esse" (Turn 8) for Young to nip past - Cooper would fight hard to try and get the lead back, but once Young's past, there's no getting it back.

Not far behind, Truswell was also gaining on Cooper - Cooper was averaging 1:38's/1:37's, Truswell was managing consistent 1:36's.

During this same time, Brough re-appeared from the pits - 5 laps down, but eager not to give up.

Four laps after Young took the lead, Young went deep - and then wide at his favourite corner - De Filippis behind also taking advantage of this mistake.

Cooper's day only went from bad to worse as Klaassens behind had caught him after a long day of catching the field back up.

Saying that, Klaassens did have to pass Cooper on the second attempt as he massively out-braked himself at turn 1 attempting to pass Cooper at T1.

On his second attempt, Klaassens passed Cooper at none other than Turn 8, "Esse".

Cooper went from 1st to 5th in only 7 Laps. Tough Race.

As the laps wore on, I also came under threat from De Filippis who had been reeling me in for the last few laps.

Myself and Checo are both a part of the Ministry Of Defence - and I was able to hold De Filippis off until he made a mistake on Lap 16 - going into a half-spin at Cooper's favourite corner.

Klaassens behind was catching us quickly enough - but this mistake and going wide at Junção (same corner Raikkonen got lost) - Klaassens making quick work of De Filippis thereafter.

I was next and I was scared. I had held onto 2nd for 7 Laps and I wasn't about to let Klaassens rain on my parade.

Lap 21. I had been in 2nd for 10 laps - and Klaassens was looming ever closer - and as was the pit-stop window - I had just 5 laps of fuel left - it was absolutely David VS The Goliath...

Lap 22. 2nd.

Lap 23. 2nd. Two to go. I had to make my Ferrari as wide as humanly possible and use all my Ministry Of Defence training...

But it wasn't enough - Klaassens eventually got by - although it did get a bit bloody.

But I think it's all in good faith - he forced me off track (need to give a cars' width) - so I expected him to disappear too - and he got the position at the end of the day - so all's well that ends well.

And as they always say - rubbing IS racing.

After this argy-bargy, I'd pit at the end of the following lap.

Klaassens would pit one lap later.

Young was still yet to pit.

Lap 28 was a wild one for Young - lapping Klaassens (sat in pit-lane) before getting rear-ended by Cooper (5th) at turn 1 - whom he had just lapped on the start/finish straight.

Klaassens would emerge almost a lap behind me (I was only a few corners away from lapping him) after he had to stop for fuel, tyres, repairs and an IRL "pit-stop".

Klaassens day went from bad to worse as he returned to the pit-lane the very next lap - but I'm unsure for what reason.

With 6 laps to go and a 37-second gap behind me to De Filippis - and Young...doing Young things up ahead, the result of the race was pretty much secured.

Steven Young became the third driver to beat the mighty and unstoppable Klaassens - after myself (Monza & Imola) and Kehdi (Nurburgring).

In terms of the championship, heading into the final round at Red Bull Ring, we're set for an absolute classic

Points-wise, with 40 left on the table, it's just Klaassens, Young, Truswell and Cooper still left in the running.

Klaassens has to score 14 more points than Young to win the championship - or Young has to score 14 more points than Klaassens to win.

Considering we usually get less than 10 drivers per race - the odds are absolutely stacked against Young - but a no-show would be enough to grant Young the championship.

Last time out, we had 6 drivers - should Klaassens finish 6th and Young won - Klaassens would still win the championship by 8 points (KLA - 320, YOU - 312)