24 Jun 2014 Circuit Hero One Race 2: Bill s perfect counter-attack
Bill O Brien performed brilliantly to overcome a stronger enemy by making use of the slippery track. It is a masterclass on race driving.
At 10:20 on 15 June 2014, Pan Delta Super Racing Festival hosts the second race of Circuit Hero One. The grid is set according to the fastest laps set by the drivers in yesterday's race. Ferrari 458 driver Zhang Shan-Qi is therefore on pole position, while Bill O'Brien is second, Troy is third and Li Qing-Xin is fourth.
Compared to the baking heat yesterday, today's temperature is much cooler due to the early shower. There is no standing water on the track due to the earlier Circuit Hero Two races.
The race begins as the red lights go out. Bill O'Brien makes a good start and gets ahead of race 1 winner Zhang Shan-Qi and leads into turn 1. The cars are still bringing up quite a water spray behind them and the leading drivers will enjoy a clear advantage.
At turn 6 two race cars hit each other, spin around and stop on the grass. But they are not damaged and can continue the race.
At the end of lap 1, Bill O'Brien has extended his lead to the full start/finish straight. Zhang Shan-Qi's Ferrari seems unable to use its full power, for not only is he losing ground to Bill, he is also under pressure from Lin Shu-Ming's BMW M3. As the race goes on, Zhang seems to be able to find his rhythm and keeps Lin at bay. Soon Lin Shu-Ming drives back into the pit lane area, apparently with a mechanical problem.
On lap 3, Bill continues to lead, while Zhang Shan-Qi seems to have stuck a problem as he continues to slow and is now 20 seconds behind. #77, #11 and #98 are running close together and battling. On lap 5, #11 cannot stop in time at turn 1 and runs into the sand trap. He is stuck and unable to continue.
Meanwhile Bill O'Brien is on good form today, on lap 4 he makes the best lap 1:58.196. The Caterham is clearly enjoying the track conditions.
As the race continues, more and more spectators arrive. They have now occupied half the grandstand. In front of this audience, Bill O'Brien demostrates how you beat a Ferrari. #93 stops by the side of the track and is out of the race. On lap 7, #12 Troy suddenly spins at turn 7 but he manages to find neutral and have the car moving in the right direction to avoid collision with #98. After #98 Zeng De-Xun is past, he parks by the side, his car's engine apparently stopped.
On the last lap, Bill O'Brien continues to lead with Zhang Shan-Qi half a lap behind. Finally Bill O'Brien takes the chequered flag and the win. A successful win by a Caterham over a Ferrari. Bill O'Brien has driven a perfect race. Zhang Shan-Qi finishes second, 35 seconds behind while Miao Hua-Bin's Mercedes C63 takes third place.