JR Osborne "Spins and Wins" in Round 6 of the 2010 F1000 Pro Series
JR Osborne repeated his performance from Saturday to win Round 6 of the 2010 F1000 Pro Series at Thunderhill Raceway, California.
Sunday's morning qualifying session saw overcast clouds and cool temperatures. The 20 minute session was plagued by two black flag stoppages that saw many cars in the national group struggle to get heat into their tires. As a result nearly all the drivers had diifficulty getting a clean lap in what was a very brief qualifying session.
Gary Hickman failed to complete a lap in qualifying as he suffered from clutch issues while Nicholas Woodman was forced to start at the back due to sound violation.
The starting order for the race was:
1. JR Osborne, Stohr
2. Phil De La O, Phoenix
3. Nicholas Belling, Firman
4. Russ Werner, Phoenix
5. Lucian Pancea, Stohr
6. David Palmer, Stohr
7. Gary Hickman, Edge
8. Nicholas Woodman. Stohr
As the cars formed on the pre-grid for the race start the overcast clouds blew away to brilliant sunshine and warm tempertures.
As on the previous day the FB field took the green flag in a split start approximately 30 seconds after the main field of national competitors. At the first corner Belling managed to scrabble pass De La O for second while Woodman working from the back of the grid advanced as well.
As the cars exited the Eagle's Nest (turn 5) on lap one the order was Osborne, Belling, De La O, Werner, Woodman, Hickman, Pancea, and Palmer. The race was already shaping up to be an interesting one. It was put on hold the following lap as the first of three full course yellows came out for crews to tow in a FE that had stopped on track.
Osborne kept the field at a good 30 seconds back from the main field ahead during this caution period so when the race went green again the pack had clear track ahead of them. As the green came out a hard charging Belling dove in between Osborne and the pitwall and took the lead as the cars headed into turn one. But it all came to tears just yards up the road as Belling spun exiting turn one ending any chances he had of a victory. Woodman following closely behind also spun while attempting to avoid Belling. Both cars were able to resume the race although Belling now with a slight deranged front wing.
As the FB field began to wind their way through the slower cars of the main body ahead the second of the three full course yellows came out. This time one of the CSR's had blown it's engine, leaving a trail of oil from the entry of turn three to the exit of turn five. Dispite the best efforts of the hard working San Francisco Region track crew to clean up the spill it was to play havoc with the field for the remainder of the race.
The race start on lap 9 saw Belling attempting the same pass on Woodman he did on Osborne at the earlier restart with Woodman doing everything he could to keep Belling at bay. The two went at it for most of the lap giving it their all. It all came to grief at turn ten as Belling attempting to pass went off course. He managed to resume however now without a front wing.
Meanwhile, up at the front Osborne manuvered his way through the main field followed closely by De La O. As he exited on the downhill of turn five he ran foul of the oil layed down earlier by the blown engine of the CSR and spun. He quickly recovered to rejoin the race just as De La O was cresting the turn five hill. It would be the closest that De La O would get to taking the race lead and it was a very near thing.
Also working his way through the main field further back was Lucian Pancea completing his first weekend in his new Stohr. Beset with a few teething problems and a slightly nervous car he did well to recover from a quick spin exiting turn one to continue on and finish. David Palmer was another to run foul of the oil at turn five and like Osborne spun on the oil there as well ending his race.
Russ Werner in the Phoenix and Gary Hickman in the Edge resumed their battle from the previous day. This time the battle was for third and the final podium position. As the two raced up to the hill at turn five Werner dived for the inside line forcing Hickman to cede the position. It got worst for Hickman just two corners later as he suffered a right rear wheel failure that sent his Edge into a brutal double 360 spin as it flew off track.
Seconds after Hickman's wild ride was over the final full course yellow came out for multiple stopped cars on the back section of the track with the race ending under the pace car.
The top three positions:
1. JR Osborne, Stohr
2. Phil De La O. Phoenix
3. Russ Werner. Phoenix
Will post times and complete results when I receive them.
2010 F1000 Pro Series Championship Points
Current Points in the 2010 F1000 Pro Series (after Round 6, Thunderhill)
1. Phil De la O, 33 Pts (2 wins, 1 2nd) and Nicholas Belling, 33 Pts (2 wins, 1 2nd)
3. JR Osborne, 24 Pts (2 wins)
4. Gary Hickman, 18 Pts (2 2nds)
5. (tie) Russ Werner and Nicholas Woodman, 7 Pts
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