25/09/2005
NEWS STORY
 |
We've had the 18 lap appetiser, now we have the 38 lap main feature, complete with compulsory pit stop for tyres.
In addition, drivers get to use their 'power boost' button up to 8 times in this race.
In addition to being twice the length of the Sprint race - and the pit stop - the other big difference is that the Feature race sees the cars start from a standing start - a traditional grid.
Sprint race winner, Brazil (Nelson Piquet) starts from pole, ahead of France, New Zealand, Australia and Britain.
The other point of note is that Alex Yoong is driving the Malaysia car in this event.
As the field pulls away for the warm-up lap, New Zealand fails to get away, which is a disaster for the Kiwis, but good news for Britain, which now has some clear air ahead on the grid.
As the field slowly makes its way around the Kent track, the all-black car is pushed back into the pitlane. Is it all over before it's even begun for Halliday? Yes, the car waits at the end of the pitlane, anticipating the green lights.
France stalls on the grid, and it is a miracle that nobody hits him. Meanwhile there's a crash at Graham Hill bend with Ireland involved in an incident with Switzerland.
There's further chaos as the Lebanon car spins off and then back onto the track, almost collect a few rivals.
Out front, Brazil is unchallenged, as Portugal is out, following an (unseen) accident. Meanwhile, the Czech car has a big moment, other than over-enthusiasm, the problem appears to be lack of grip. We also appear to have lost USA.
Japan and Germany are side by side, Scheider appearing to use the power boost to take eighth.
Brazil leads Australia by 3.8s, with Britain third, ahead of Pakistan, Italy, Malaysia, Germany, Netherlands, Canada and South Africa.
We really are seeing some great battle now, in particular Pakistan and Italy for fourth, and Malaysia and Germany for sixth. South Africa is all over Canada for ninth.
USA is back in the race, but a couple of laps behind.
As Germany pits, Netherlands moves up to seventh, Jos Verstappen having a great race.
Britain is all over Australia, but Will Power is having none of it. Alex Yoong is giving a strong performance for Malaysia.
Fastest team on track is Brazil, though Czech Republic is also very quick.
Kerr (Britain) goes sideways clipping the kerb in his effort to hound Australia, this is great stuff.
After 8 laps, it's: Brazil, Australia, Britain, Pakistan, Italy, Malaysia, Netherlands, Canada, South Africa and Czech Republic. Meanwhile USA stops for a new nose.
At the end of lap 9, both Italy and Malaysia pit, Alex Yoong losing a heap of time during what appears to be a bad stop owing to a wheel problem.
Brazil leads by 9.2s, as Britain continues to hound Australia. Meanwhile Netherlands is all over Pakistan, who is being held up by Austria, who is a lap down.
Pakistan pits, as does Netherlands, as we await the top three.
Netherlands makes up a position as Verstappen leaves the pits ahead of Pakistan.
It's a big crash for Italy and Lebanon, Khalil Beschir's car is upside down in the gravel at Paddock Hill. It's a big, big crash, the Lebanese car turning in on Italy at the approach to Paddock Hill.
As the safety car comes out, the leaders pit. There's a problem with Brazil's car, and consequently Britain is out first, ahead of Australia and Brazil.
Beschir is out of the car and waving to the crowd, that was a very lucky escape. Nonetheless it says a lot for the strength of the Lola A1 car. The on-boars pictures are truly frightening.
As the safety car leads the field, Britain pulls off track, Robbie Kerr having suffered an engine problem.
Therefore, Australia leads Brazil, followed by Mexico, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan and Netherlands.
The safety car pulls off, and Will Power (Australia) shoots off into the distance.
Pakistan is under attack from Germany and Austria, as the Russian cars spins off, bringing the safety car back out.
The field continues behind the safety car, Australia leading Brazil, with Mexico third.
At the end of lap 24, the safety car pulls off track again, the race is back on.
Brazil is all over Australia, as a whole train of cars forms up behind Pakistan, which is a lap down.
There's another spin as Czech Republic gets it all wrong at the entry to Clearways. He wasn't under pressure, so was it a mistake or tyres?
Brazil is all over Australia, and Will Power appears to block Piquet. Meanwhile the backmarkers, Pakistan is holding up Mexico, New Zealand and the rest of 'the train'.
Elsewhere, Brazil takes Australia at Surtees, going around the outside of Power. Meanwhile, Mexico, New Zealand and Malaysia are involved in a titanic battle, with South Africa and Netherlands right behind.
A slight error form Mexico allows New Zealand to close right up, as Brazil pulls further and further ahead of Australia.
Halliday (New Zealand) hasn't given up, and continues to harry Duran (Mexico). As the battle one another, Malaysia, South Africa and Netherlands close in. Japan is running eighth, ahead of Canada and Germany. Austria, Pakistan and China are the only other runners still going.
With 32 laps completed, Brazil leads Australia by 6.4s, with Mexico a further 7s behind.
As Germany battles Pakistan, which is a couple of laps down, this in turn interferes with Mexico and New Zealand, who are enjoying their own dog fight right behind. Elsewhere, Austria and China are battling for eleventh.
New Zealand makes a move on Mexico and almost comes to grief, allowing Malaysia to close in. South Africa and Netherlands keep a close watch.
Piquet (Brazil) begins his final lap, having given a masterclass at this legendary track which has witnessed so many magical motor racing moments. The youngster having taken pole position, two wins and fastest lap of the day.
Brazil takes the flag, ahead of Australia, while Mexico holds off New Zealand, with Malaysia finishing fifth, ahead of South Africa, Netherlands, Japan, Canada and Germany.
"We had problems with the pit stop and Power managed to leave in front of me so I got a bit worried," admitted Piquet after the race. "My team told me to push very hard until the end so I did and eventually managed to overtake him which I never expected. The car was really good, excellent in the second race and I could have pushed much harder if I wanted."
"I'm happy with second as it is a really good result for Australia to be on the Podium," added Australia's Will Power. "At the end of the day we weren't quick enough to win it and it would have been hard to keep Nelson behind me the whole way. I suffered from oversteer but I tried to do neat and consistent laps.
"When Nelson passed me it was a very good manoeuvre," added the Australian, "at the end of the day he was by me and there was no use banging wheels."
"I think we were very quick," said Mexico's Salvador Duran, "but I had two cars in front of me who had been lapped making it difficult for me to pass. I managed to keep Matt behind me which was hard as he is a very good driver at the end of the day it was an awesome result for Mexico. It was a first for me as I have never done a pit stop."
All-in-all a great race, with (almost) non-stop action throughout the field.
We look forward to the Eurospeedway with anticipation.
To check out our picture gallery, click here