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July 06, 2012
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The second part of the Mid-Season report by Scott Woodwiss is here, and it sheds light on the remaining teams in the 2012 Superleague.
Green Stripes Racing
Drivers:Dave Carr Smith (3 podiums)/ Christopher Lichtenstein; Matt Clipp
If you were to judge Green Stripes Racing's chances for the season solely on their fortunes in Australia, you would have written them off as being anything but competitive. A below average qualifying effort proceeded a race that overall lasted no more than 7 laps. Christoph Lichtenstein's engine didn't even make it beyond the first corner. However, following an absence from Abu Dhabi the team made two valuable changes that would greatly alter their form for the races ahead. Firstly, a long awaited "B-Spec" package arrived in time for Hungary. Secondly, the ever front-running Dave Carr-Smith made the switch from testing role to a return to a race seat. The 2011 Monaco GP winner wasted no time to announce his comeback to Superleague racing with 2nd place behind (Nick) Rowland in Budapest. It certainly was a more welcome result compared to his dismal luck in Supercup that saw him DNF from the first 3 races when strong points finishes were on the cards. From Hungary onwards, Carr-Smith has so far never finished outside the top 5 and in the process taken two more podiums. His efforts even saw him lead a handful of laps in Monaco, prompting thoughts of a possible second win on the trot in the Principality. In contrast to GSR's other drivers, Lichtenstein and Clipp just haven't been able to match the pace and speed of their much faster team-mate, hence the reason why all of the team's points have come from Carr-Smith. While it would be incredibly harsh to suggest that both Lichtenstein and Clipp will never match the pace of DCS, it does raise question as to whether the team could score even more as a whole if they were to take on drivers with more proven speed in order to increase their chances of moving up the table.
Nijo Racing
Drivers:Ruud Heesterbeek; Chris Williamson/Abdel Damghi/Samuli Leinonen/Ben Warren
Here is another team that's fortunes have been of two halves. As with GSR, all of Nijo's points have come from the "Flying Dutchman" Ruud Heesterbeek. The SL rookie has been nothing but impressive in his first season and has regularly looked competitive. In return his solid efforts have been rewarded with consistent top 10 results. Performaces such as Ruud's will surely make him a target for some of the top SL outfits for 2013, meaning team boss Chris Williamson will be hard pressed to keep hold of his start driver next year. The second car has been something of a merry-go-round with no less than 4 different drivers filling in the seat, including Williamson himself on two occasions in Monaco and Canada. Currently Ben Warren occupies the second car and is a driver that could spark one or two surprises once up to speed, especially for a driver that uses hand controls. Just how much of an impact, if at all, he will be able to make alongside Heesterbeek remains to be seen.
Kernow Sport
Drivers:Simon Cattell; Mark Wicks
Kernow Sport made a long awaited jump to SL for this season and brought with them one of the best up and coming sim racers in Simon Cattell. He, along with team boss Mark Wicks have been tasked with bringing the Masters Series champions into the big time and to aim to challenge the top teams. So far throughout the first half of 2012 they have managed to maintain an impressive rate of reliability, managing to get both cars to the finish in every race bar Melbourne. Cattell's biggest moment came in his race long battle with Lee Morris in Hungary, a battle which ended with Cattell losing his front wing on the back on Morris' Draig. It was an incident that caused both drivers to come to blows, but the situation was quickly resolved and the season continued. Subsequent to this, Cattell hasn't really featured all that much in comparison to those at the head of the field on a regular basis. This is a shame since with his talents obvious to many, it appears that he doesn't yet have a car that can fully unlock them. Mark Wicks has made the switch to a team owner and driver as opposed to being solely behind the wheel. Despite Wicks being an established name in GPVWC, including being a race winner, right now it seems that Kernow Sport is at present a midfield team, so work is needed in order to help change their fortunes. Dare it be said, but maybe it could be time for Wicks to relinquish the second seat to improve their chances.
Red 5 Racing
As of right now, Red 5 Racing is no more. Formerly rebadged from Computrac, the now banned Gavin Thomas and "Ben Morgan" (revealed to be a cover name for a driver previously banned from the series also) created a situation which consisted of two below average drivers piloting an above average car. At one point it was one of the most developed on the grid. Before Korea, the team was taken over by Australian James Shepherd and instantly he and newcomer Florian Strauss started to unlock the car's true potential. This was put to good use as Shepherd produced a stunning 3rd place at Yeongam before claiming a 4th place in Turkey. After Thomas received his ban, Shepherd made the decision to close and withdraw the team from Superleague. At the time of writing this, the deadline for team entries to take over the now vacant 13th slot have closed, with outfits such as Torrent Motorsports and Malta Force GP rumoured to have submitted interest. We expect a decision relatively soon.
Green Stripes Racing
Drivers:Dave Carr Smith (3 podiums)/ Christopher Lichtenstein; Matt Clipp
If you were to judge Green Stripes Racing's chances for the season solely on their fortunes in Australia, you would have written them off as being anything but competitive. A below average qualifying effort proceeded a race that overall lasted no more than 7 laps. Christoph Lichtenstein's engine didn't even make it beyond the first corner. However, following an absence from Abu Dhabi the team made two valuable changes that would greatly alter their form for the races ahead. Firstly, a long awaited "B-Spec" package arrived in time for Hungary. Secondly, the ever front-running Dave Carr-Smith made the switch from testing role to a return to a race seat. The 2011 Monaco GP winner wasted no time to announce his comeback to Superleague racing with 2nd place behind (Nick) Rowland in Budapest. It certainly was a more welcome result compared to his dismal luck in Supercup that saw him DNF from the first 3 races when strong points finishes were on the cards. From Hungary onwards, Carr-Smith has so far never finished outside the top 5 and in the process taken two more podiums. His efforts even saw him lead a handful of laps in Monaco, prompting thoughts of a possible second win on the trot in the Principality. In contrast to GSR's other drivers, Lichtenstein and Clipp just haven't been able to match the pace and speed of their much faster team-mate, hence the reason why all of the team's points have come from Carr-Smith. While it would be incredibly harsh to suggest that both Lichtenstein and Clipp will never match the pace of DCS, it does raise question as to whether the team could score even more as a whole if they were to take on drivers with more proven speed in order to increase their chances of moving up the table.
Nijo Racing
Drivers:Ruud Heesterbeek; Chris Williamson/Abdel Damghi/Samuli Leinonen/Ben Warren
Here is another team that's fortunes have been of two halves. As with GSR, all of Nijo's points have come from the "Flying Dutchman" Ruud Heesterbeek. The SL rookie has been nothing but impressive in his first season and has regularly looked competitive. In return his solid efforts have been rewarded with consistent top 10 results. Performaces such as Ruud's will surely make him a target for some of the top SL outfits for 2013, meaning team boss Chris Williamson will be hard pressed to keep hold of his start driver next year. The second car has been something of a merry-go-round with no less than 4 different drivers filling in the seat, including Williamson himself on two occasions in Monaco and Canada. Currently Ben Warren occupies the second car and is a driver that could spark one or two surprises once up to speed, especially for a driver that uses hand controls. Just how much of an impact, if at all, he will be able to make alongside Heesterbeek remains to be seen.
Kernow Sport
Drivers:Simon Cattell; Mark Wicks
Kernow Sport made a long awaited jump to SL for this season and brought with them one of the best up and coming sim racers in Simon Cattell. He, along with team boss Mark Wicks have been tasked with bringing the Masters Series champions into the big time and to aim to challenge the top teams. So far throughout the first half of 2012 they have managed to maintain an impressive rate of reliability, managing to get both cars to the finish in every race bar Melbourne. Cattell's biggest moment came in his race long battle with Lee Morris in Hungary, a battle which ended with Cattell losing his front wing on the back on Morris' Draig. It was an incident that caused both drivers to come to blows, but the situation was quickly resolved and the season continued. Subsequent to this, Cattell hasn't really featured all that much in comparison to those at the head of the field on a regular basis. This is a shame since with his talents obvious to many, it appears that he doesn't yet have a car that can fully unlock them. Mark Wicks has made the switch to a team owner and driver as opposed to being solely behind the wheel. Despite Wicks being an established name in GPVWC, including being a race winner, right now it seems that Kernow Sport is at present a midfield team, so work is needed in order to help change their fortunes. Dare it be said, but maybe it could be time for Wicks to relinquish the second seat to improve their chances.
Red 5 Racing
As of right now, Red 5 Racing is no more. Formerly rebadged from Computrac, the now banned Gavin Thomas and "Ben Morgan" (revealed to be a cover name for a driver previously banned from the series also) created a situation which consisted of two below average drivers piloting an above average car. At one point it was one of the most developed on the grid. Before Korea, the team was taken over by Australian James Shepherd and instantly he and newcomer Florian Strauss started to unlock the car's true potential. This was put to good use as Shepherd produced a stunning 3rd place at Yeongam before claiming a 4th place in Turkey. After Thomas received his ban, Shepherd made the decision to close and withdraw the team from Superleague. At the time of writing this, the deadline for team entries to take over the now vacant 13th slot have closed, with outfits such as Torrent Motorsports and Malta Force GP rumoured to have submitted interest. We expect a decision relatively soon.
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