Avalon Hill Statis Pro Football – The longest session, picking up a 34 year old campaign

I first became interested in American Football when Channel 4 began coverage of the regular season in 1982. From the off with Big Audio Dynamite’s “The Bottom Line” & later Propaganda’s “Duel” as the opening credit soundtracks I spent many Sunday evenings with my Dad repeating the tackle sounds that were superimposed over the music.

He was a 49ers fan (his Sqdn in the RAF), I for my sins supported the Oilers for no other reason than remembering hearing those words from the Apollo 13 news feed “Houston we have a problem” years before. Needless to say, Dad tended to have a smile on his face more than I when the results were read out.

Being a keen wargamer I could often be found with other spotty youths in my local games/hobby shop and during the 80’s was constantly drawn to the rather odd cover of Avalon Hill’s Statis Pro football. It somehow reminded me of Brian Yuzna’s film “Society” with the QB sprouting a second head from his neck. Following the 1986 Superbowl, I finally jumped in and purchased the 1985 Season.

From that point on until the early 90’s when girls annoyingly got in the way I began a continual solitaire campaign as it quickly became apparent that the game worked well for solo play. Realising that time would make it impossible to play full seasons (224 games per regular season) I decided just to concentrate on the play-off part of a season which at the time with 2 wild card games would only result in 9 games per season.
A game like Statis Pro I imagine, attracts a certain type of player that likes stats. I am no exception, my whole life evolves around spreadsheets to the be/amusement of many who know me. So in the advent before computers it was down to pencil, paper and joy of joy’s square paper. I have kept records of every scoring play since.

To begin with I didn’t want to just replay each season with the actual teams that made it that year, rather randomly select and see what match up’s occurred. I didn’t want to spend hours on working out a system so in the end I just used the 1985/86 end of regular season standings and added the win record of each team to a d20 roll. What resulted was failure to qualify for the Giants (historically 14-2) & Cleveland (12-4) while Tampa Bay (2-14), Indianapolis (3-13) and St Louis (4-12) all snuck into my inaugural season. Even more unexpected was Tampa Bay’s 42-10 thrashing of the mighty Chicago in the Divisional Play Off. Dallas ran out eventual winners 62-3 against a shell shocked Pittsburgh in the most one sided game I have ever played. At this stage my record keeping was not as good as I would have liked and although I kept records of who scored I did not record the actual plays. For SBII I used the fictional standings from my SBI campaign with the d20 roll. A new and improved worksheet followed to record the Raiders under QB Jim Plunkett & RB Marcus Allen’s outrageous stats sweep all before them taking the title by beating New Orleans 35-30.

After a couple more Play Off seasons I found out that it was possible to buy sets of other seasons. At the time I don’t think all were available so I chose the 1987 cards and from SBV switched to them. I was also aware that the cards I was using were becoming more outdated historically and consigned to the past as I couldn’t keep up with the real regular season. By the end 1996 I had completed 7 play off seasons using the 85 and 87 sets but was playing far less regularly. Inside the original box is a receipt from Avalon Hill in December 96 for another card set the 1989 one. It was now taking me years to complete just a few games when in about 2004 I finished a game and put the box away where it remained untouched until this month 15 years later. Time has not been kind to the box or the contents. Some cards have nasty rubber band perish stains on them and the rules needed a spot of laminating (another guilty pleasure) as they had completely separated, but apart from that the game contents are complete.

 

And so to bring up to date, I have finished the SBIX season and am now well on my way to playing SBX. With the wonder of the internet and BGG I have now found out what card sets are out there and being a completist have decided to fill in the blanks of my collection. To that end I am already planning (with spreadsheets!) the start 2 or 3 whole new campaigns starting with the 1980 set perhaps playing 1 season per card set. To date Minnesota and Philadelphia have never had a game while Indianapolis have featured in every play off season bar the current one so I eek out a card set over 2 or 3 seasons to improve the chances of all teams having a runout. Using one card set for 2 seasons will allow for 24 play off seasons before I need to think about the fan home made versions. I suspect I’ll be well into my seventies by then and may have finally seen an Oilers team lift the Lombardi trophy before they or I become extinct……………

SEASON 4 – Farina wins dead rubber reflecting on what could have been if his start to the season had not been so disastrous – 1953 Historic Formula de solitaire season. Race #7/8 Bremgarten

The first of 2 dead rubbers after Hawthorn (Ferrari) had wrapped up the championship at the last race at Nurburgring saw Farina (Ferrari) take his second successive win. Although another victory for the all conquering Ferrari team it further strengthened the opinion of what could have been if he had not had such a disastrous start to the season not finishing in the first four races and finding himself 25 points behind the leader at the halfway stage.

Result

1st – Giuseppe Farina (IT) Ferrari – 8 points

2nd – Alberto Ascari (IT) Ferrari – 4 points (6 points minus 2 dropped points)

3rd – Luigi Villoresi (IT) Ferrari – 4 points

4th – Juan Manuel Fangio (ARG) Maserati – 0 points (3 points minus 3 dropped points)

5th – Onofre Marimon (ARG) Maserati – 2 points

Lap Leader bonus point  – Felice Bonetto (IT) Maserati – 0 points (1 point minus 1 dropped point) 

Championship standings

1st – Hawthorn (GB) Ferrari – 35 points (4 wins) – 1953 CHAMPION

2nd – Farina (It) Ferrari – 22 points (2 wins)

3rd – Fangio (Arg) Maserati – 21 points (0 wins)  

4th= – Lang (Ger) Maserati – 19 points (1 win)

4th = – Ascari (It) Ferrari – 19 points (0 wins)                                                                    

NEXT – Season finale and celebrations for Ferrari in front of the Tifosi – Monza ITALY

SEASON 4 – Farina victorious but to no avail as Hawthorn is crowned champion despite heroic effort from Lang – 1953 Historic Formula de solitaire season. Race #6/8 Nurburgring

Fangio (Maserati) returned but his title challenge was now over. Only Lang (Maserati) could stop Hawthorn (Ferrari) from the championship title and that would be a tall order requiring him to win all the remaining 3 races as well as claiming all the bonus lap leader points in each race. Macklin returned for HWM as it was confirmed that both de Graffenreid (Maserati privateer) & Galvez (Maserati) would miss the rest of the season.

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LAP 1 – A wet start and a closely packed grid led to inevitable consequences at the first chicane Castrol “S”. It began when Moss (Cooper) slid into Prince Bira (Maserati privateer) and was quickly followed by Schell (Gordini) colliding with Brown (Cooper) who crashed out heavily. It was confirmed post race that Brown would miss the rest of the season and possibly never race again. Macklin (HWM) only just returned from injury was next to go clipping Marimon (Maserati) who luckily escaped without damage. Other retirements at the same corner were McAlpine (Connaught) hitting a stationary Macklin, also Claes (Connaught privateer) suspension, Collins (HWM) , Wharton (Cooper privateer) and Marimon (Maserati) collisions. At the front Lang (Maserati) and Bonetto (Maserati) set the early pace exchanging the lead with Lang getting the bonus lap leader point to send the home fans wild. His mission impossible chances of taking the championship from Hawthorn still just alive. Ascari (Ferrari) chose not to pit which allowed him to move up to second but with worn tyres. Fangio (Maserati) further back chose to do the same but Hawthorn languishing near the back after a lack lustre first lap did come in for fresh tyres.       

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End of lap. 1st – Lang (Maserati), 2nd – Ascari (Ferrari), 3rd – Fangio (Maserati), 4th – Bonetto (Maserati), 5th – Villoresi (Ferrari)

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LAP 2 – 10 runners were left, a solitary Gordini and Connaught at the back behind the big guns of Ferrari and Maserati. Ascari moved ahead of Lang and into the lead early on at the Castrol “S” but further damaged his tyres in the process. Fangio was also a man on the move passing Lang at the 2nd corner and moving up to 2nd. Lang’s supreme effort to hold the lead was now beginning to flag as perhaps he began to accept that his task was a hopeless one. Farina made the most progress of all storming through the field to challenge for the lead halfway round the lap. This was achieved at cost as a catalogue of errors between Ascari and Farina meant both drivers would have to pit for running repairs if they made it to the end of the lap. Less lucky was plucky Brit Salvadori in his Connaught which gave out at the unforgiving Castrol “S”. At the end of the lap, Lang was foundering while Bonetto (Maserati) had caught the front runners and with his car in better condition, just moved ahead. 

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End of lap. 1st – Bonetto (Maserati), 2nd – Farina (Ferrari), 3rd – Ascari (Ferrari), 4th – Fangio (Maserati), 5th – Lang (Maserati)

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LAP3 – Farina quickly retook the lead at the dreaded Castrol “S” after pitting but again damaged his tyres exiting the corner. Bonetto managed to stay with his illustrious countryman and going into the final corner bravely dived past him. Farina however was in no mood to let his chances of a win go begging and using all of his experience managed to pass Bonetto exiting the curve to take his first victory of the season. Ascari took the final podium place but Lang who had led at the end of the first lap could only finish 5th behind Fangio’s Maserati and only pick up a single point. The result confirmed Hawthorn as champion who cruised home in party mood in 6th, world champion with 2 races to spare. 

Result

1st – Giuseppe Farina (IT) Ferrari – 8 points

2nd – Felice Bonetto (IT) Maserati – 6 points 

3rd – Alberto Ascari (IT) Ferrari – 4 points

4th – Juan Manuel Fangio (ARG) Maserati – 3 points 

5th – Hermann Lang (GER) Maserati – 1 point (2 points + 1 point for 1st lap leader  minus 2 dropped points)

Championship standings

1st – Hawthorn (GB) Ferrari – 35 points (4 wins) – 1953 CHAMPION

2nd – Fangio (Arg) Maserati – 21 points (0 wins)  

3rd – Lang (Ger) Maserati – 19 points (1 win)

4th – Ascari (It) Ferrari – 15 points (0 wins)

5th= – Farina (It) Ferrari – 14 points (1 win)

5th= – Bonetto (It) Maserati – 14 points (0 wins)     

                                                                                   

NEXT – A dead rubber with nothing but pride at stake for the challengers trying to shorten the points gap between themselves and champion  Hawthorn –  Bremgarten SWITZERLAND  

SEASON 4 – Hawthorn makes it 4 in a row almost sealing championship title with 3 to go – 1953 Historic Formula de solitaire season. Race #5/8 Silverstone

Fangio (Maserati) remained absent meaning that Lang would lead the Maserati challenge against the Ferrari’s of championship leader Hawthorn and the improving Ascari.  

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LAP 1 – No less than 5 cars stalled at the start including Lang (Maserati) in 2nd, Ascari (Ferrari) 3rd & de Graffenried (Maserarti Privateer) 4th. Hawthorn (Ferrari) took full advantage and pulled away while the rest of the field concertinaed. Ascari who had looked to be Hawthorns chief rival during Fangio’s absence retired on the start line when he was unable to start his engine. De Graffenried’s Maserati violently crashed as the field bunched up, (he will play no further part in this seasons championship after sustaining a back injury). Wharton (Cooper Privateer) was next to got hitting Villoresi (Ferrari) who survived the impact with no damage. Other retirements were Brown (Cooper) with suspension failure, Marimon (Maserati) who collected Schell (Gordini) at Chappell. At Abbey Curve Moss (Cooper) crashed into Bira (Maserati privateer) as well as damaging Galvez’s Maserati. Claes (Connaught privateer) retired shortly after with damage received driving over the debris from the earlier collision. At the front, Hawthorn after being put under some pressure by Lang began to pull away for a second time and took the bonus lap leader point. The British fans were even happier as both Salvadori (Connaught) and Collins (HWM) were following at the head of the chasing pack.   

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End of lap. 1st – Hawthorn (Ferrari), 2nd – Salvadori (Connaught), 3rd – Lang (Maserati), 4th – Collins (HWM), 5th – Bonetto (Maserati)

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LAP 2 – Almost immediately, at Copse corner Marimon (Maserati) hit Collins (HWM) taking both cars out and  promoting Farina (Ferrari) the forgotten World Champion to 4th.  Further on at Abbey curve a struggling Galvez (Maserati) came to grief when his car ran over the debris from the last lap. He lost control in 4th gear and crashed heavily into the hay bales on the trackside. Although conscious, it would appear that his injuries may preclude him from the next few races if not the entire season. The Connaughts of Salvadori & McAlpine were still running at the end of the lap giving the British fans even more to cheer about on top a near faultless display by Hawthorn at the front.

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End of lap. 1st – Hawthorn (Ferrari), 2nd – Lang (Maserati), 3rd – Salvadori (Connaught), 4th – Farina (Ferrari), 5th – Villoresi (Ferrari)

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LAP3 – Only 8 runners were left which very soon became 7 when Rosier (Ferrari privateer) retired at Maggotts from 7th place. Sadly McAlpine’s race soon came to an end when forced wide at Chapel attempting to overtake the stricken Ferrari of Rosier his suspension gave out on the dirty part of the track. Hawthorn continued to maintain his healthy lead but 2nd place was being keenly fought over by Lang, Salvadori and Farina. Lang spun as Salvadori gambled with an audacious move half way round the lap. But they were unable to catch the near perfect Hawthorn who took the chequered flag for an historic 4th consecutive win. Watching from the winners pavilion there was a small chance he could be crowned world champion if events went his way. They almost did when Lang desperate to keep in the championship drove recklessly into the back of 2nd place Salvadori taking the pair out. Salvadori had to be restrained from confronting Lang although his colourful use of old Anglo-Saxon expletives would not have fallen on deaf ears. Farina was thus gifted an undeserved 2nd place with Villoresi making it a 1,2,3 for Ferrari on the podium. Trintignant (Gordini) was the only other finisher and so the final 5th place 2 points went to Lang who had completed the greatest part of the race amongst the non-finishers. He would have to win all the remaining 3 races and claim the lap leader bonus point in every race if he was to stop Hawthorn taking the title.

Result

1st – Mike Hawthorn (GB) Ferrari – 9 points (8 points for win plus 1 bonus point for 1st lap leader) 

2nd – Giuseppe Farina (IT) Ferrari – 6 points

3rd – Luigi Villoresi (IT) Ferrari – 4 points

4th – Maurice Trintignant (FRA) Gordini – 3 points

5th (DNF) – Hermann Lang (GER) Maserati – 2 points

Championship standings

1st – Hawthorn (GB) Ferrari – 35 points (4 wins)

2nd = Lang (Ger) Maserati – 18 points (1 win)  

2nd= Fangio (Arg) Maserati – 18 points (0 wins)

4th – Ascari (It) Ferrari – 11 points (0 wins)     

                                                                                   

NEXT – Can the Hawthorn make it 5 in a row and seal the title? –  Nurburgring WEST GERMANY 

SEASON 4 – 3rd straight win for Hawthorn as he takes massive step towards title – 1953 Historic Formula de solitaire season. Race #4/8 – Rheims

Britain’s Kenneth McAlpine (Connaught) and Argentina’s Roberto Mieres (Gordini) were debutant drivers replacing the injured Fangio (Maserati) & Behra (Gordini). Both qualified respectively in 10th & 11th. (nb. Monterrey used to represent Rheims)  

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LAP 1 – All cars got off the line without incident with Hawthorn (Ferrari) powering away early on. At the first corner “Andretti”, Collins (HWM) crashed out quickly followed by the second HWM of Macklin who was taken to hospital as a precaution. McAlpine’s (Connaught) 1st race also came to an abrupt end with suspension damage running over debris from the earlier collisions with Rosier (Ferrari privateer) following suit soon after. Next to go was Prince B Bira’s privately entered Maserati with a collapsed suspension and then another British marque went when Brown (Cooper) crashed out.  Meanwhile Hawthorn continued to extend his lead picking up the bonus 1st lap leader point with a huge margin over nearest rivals Villoresi (Ferrari) & Lang (Maserati) . More woe beset the remaining British teams as Galvez collected Moss (Cooper) at the Corkscrew leaving just Wharton’s privateer Cooper remaining with only half of the first lap completed. Also to go at the Corkscrew were Marimon (Maserati) & Mieres (Gordini) who came together leaving a corner littered with detritus.

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End of lap. 1st – Hawthorn (Ferrari), 2nd – Villoresi (Ferrari), 3rd – Lang (Maserati), 4th – Ascari (Ferrari), 5th – de Graffenried (Maserati privateer)

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LAP 2 – The second lap began much like the first with all drivers throwing caution to the wind despite the first lap warnings showing how unforgiving the circuit was in the wet. Early on Villoresi appeared to have adapted best and began to pull clear of the chasing pack but still some margin behind Hawthorn. Lang spun at the second corner further helping Villoresi’s quest for his first points of the season. Hawthorn pitted well ahead at the end of the second lap although his car was showing signs of wear. Ascari (Ferrari) & Farina (Ferrari) both began to move through the field and into the points positions. Then disaster struck for Farina. Ascari held the best line going into the corkscrew forcing Farina onto the dirty part of the track. As he rumbled over the debris his cars suspension gave out and he was forced to retire still without any points or even a finish this season. His shambolic defence of the championship title was now surely gone. Trintignant (Gordini) also had to retire when he overshot the preceding corner and destroyed his tyres. De Graffenried (Maserati privateer) was next to go at the corkscrew from 5th place.     

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End of lap. 1st – Hawthorn (Ferrari), 2nd – Ascari (Ferrari), 3rd – Villoresi (Ferrari), 4th – Lang (Maserati), 5th – Wharton (Cooper privateer)

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LAP3 – 7 runners began the final lap as once more the fragile cars struggled to meet the demands on a tricky circuit. Despite his huge lead Hawthorn had to take the last lap carefully as his cars handling deteriorated and by the halfway point he was forced to run in lower gears. Lang spun at the 3rd corner as did Ascari ahead who was trying to close the gap to Hawthorn. Hawthorn spun at the last corner  when about to lap Schell’s Gordini but with such a huge margin he still took the chequered flag with a commanding margin. The hat-trick of victories now placed him frimly at the top of the championship race. Ascari continued to improve taking 2nd and now looked to be the main rival to Hawthorn while Fangio remained side-lined with injury. Villoresi made it a Ferrari podium lock-out in third. Mention also goes to Ken Wharton’s privately entered Cooper who took his first points of the season so although the Works team continue to struggle there is a glimmer of hope for the British marques.  

Result

1st – Mike Hawthorn (GB) Ferrari – 9 points (8 points for win plus 1 bonus point for 1st lap leader) 

2nd – Alberto Ascari (IT) Ferrari – 6 points

3rd – Luigi Villoresi (IT) Ferrari – 4 points

4th – Hermann Lang (GER) Maserati – 3 points

5th – Ken Wharton (GB) Cooper (Privateer) – 2 points

Championship standings

1st – Hawthorn (GB) Ferrari – 26 points (3 wins)

2nd – Fangio (Arg) Maserati – 18 points (0 wins)

3rd – Lang (Ger) Maserati – 16 points (1 win)     

                                                                                          

NEXT – Can the Hawthorn seal the title at home before Fangio returns – Silverstone GREAT BRITAIN 

SEASON 4 – Hawthorn makes it 2 from 2 pipping Fangio who crashes spectacularly over the line – 1953 Historic Formula de solitaire season Race #3 of 8 – Spa-Francorchamps

Argentine’s Oscar Galvez and Onofre Marimon both returned putting for the third race of the season at the daunting Belgian circuit of Spa. 

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LAP 1 – Despite some slow starts (notably Fangio Maserati) everyone got off and there were no retirements until a series of collisions at Les Fanges threatened to reduce the field to a mere handful for the third consecutive race. Wharton (Cooper privateer) and Salvadori (Connaught) collected each other quickly followed by Claes (Connaught privateer) and then Behra (Gordini) took himself and Galvez (Maserati) out. Macklin (HWM)  then collided with Behra’s stricken car and also crashed out. Behra was taken to hospital with concussion and a broken hand ruling him out of the next few races.  The amount of debris on track now accounted for some of the more fragile cars with Marimon (Maserati) Bira (Maserati privateer), Rosier (Ferrari privateer) & Moss (Cooper) all failing to complete the first lap.

De Graffenried  (Maserati privateer) at the front was the first to pit in the lead followed by Hawthorn’s heavily damaged Ferrari. Villoresi (Ferrari) completed a tidy lap and not needing to pit closed dramatically on the leaders. 

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End of lap. 1st – de Graffenreid (Maserati privateer), 2nd – Hawthorn (Ferrari), 3rd – Villoresi (Ferrari), 4th – Bonetto (Maserati), 5th – Lang (Maserati)

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LAP 2 – Villoresi seamlessly passed the 2 front runners with the remaining 9 cars all still in contention for at least a points finish. Hawthorn and de Graffenried vied for 2nd and third, both cars probably too damaged to be able to catch Villoresi. The Maserati’s of Bonetto and Fangio battled with the Ferrari’s of Farina and Ascari as the leading chasers. Although driving a car with less damage than Hawthorn, Villoresi drove a conservative lap allowing Hawthorn to pass before the Bus Stop. Both pitted, while a fading de Graffenreid and current world champion Farina (Maserati) chose not to and managed to pass Villoresi arriving on the shoulder of Hawthorn at La Source. Fangio and Ascari both looked to have a lot in reserve but would have to make up a lot of ground on the final lap if they were to get onto the podium.  Current leader Lang (Maserati) came to grief driving over the debris at Les Fanges. He was followed by Trintignant (Gordini) leaving a field of 8 (4 Ferrari’s, 3 Maserati’s and a distant Gordini) to contest the last lap      

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End of lap. 1st – Hawthorn (Ferrari), 2nd – de Graffenreid (Maserati privateer), 3rd – Farina (Ferrari), 4th – Villoresi (Ferrari), 5th – Bonetto (Maserati)

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LAP3 –

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Farina powered ahead but drove over oil at Radillon causing him to skid dangerously. He managed to bring the car under control but not before driving over more oil on the Kemmel straight damaging his tyres as well as dropping more oil on the track. Hawthorn also damaged his tyres exiting Radillon too hot but kept Farina in his sights. But for the third time Les Fanges chicane proved to be the undoing again of some of the drivers. First from the lead Farina’s suspension broke driving over the detritus. Then Villoresi (Ferrari) who had been in 4th and lastly Schell (Gordini) all retired with suspension issues. Hawthorn now in the front had a respectable lead although De Graffenreid and moving through the field a resurgent Fangio (Maserati) were still in with a shout. At the Bus Stop, Hawthorn just kept his car on the track and despite the engines complaints he managed to nurse it over to take his second win in what he would describe as his best result to date. More drama was to follow as Fangio desperate to claim second, clipped de Graffenreid just before the finish line. Both cars crashed over the line with Fangio taking 2nd but in doing so he was injured and despite taking a single point lead in the championship, will miss the next 2 races. Ascari (Ferrari) came in a distant 4th, his title challenge fading.

Result

1st – Mike Hawthorn (GB) Ferrari – 8 points 

2nd – Juan Manuel Fangio (Arg) Maserati – 6 points

3rd – Emmanuel de Graffenried (Swi) Maserati (privateer) – 5 points (4 points for third plus 1 for the 1st lap leader)

4th – Alberto Ascari (IT) Ferrari – 3 points

5th – Felice Bonetto (IT) Maserati – 2 points

Championship standings

1st – Fangio (Arg) Maserati – 18 points (0 wins)

2nd – Hawthorn (GB) Ferrari – 17 points (2 wins)

3rd – Lang (Ger) Maserati – 13 points (1 win)     

                                                                                          

NEXT – Who will the Champagne flow for at Rheims? – FRANCE 

SEASON 4 – Hawthorn wins 1st race vindicating his team choice while British teams flop – 1953 Historic Formula de solitaire season Race #2 of 8 – Zandvoort

The drivers returned to Europe and the daunting Dutch Zandvoort circuit for the 2nd race of the season. Absentees were the Argentine Maserati pair of Oscar Galvez and Onofre Marimon who both had minor injuries. Their places were taken by 2 British drivers Peter Collins (HWM) and Alan Brown (Cooper) boosting the total British team contingent from 3 to 5 with 2 privateers. 

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LAP 1 – Immediately as the first lap commenced, all the British teams fell apart. First the privately entered Connaught of Johnny Claes crashed out when he clipped a car ahead. Then in quick succession, the engines expired on Jean Behra’s Gordini, Roy Salvadori’s Connaught, Stirling Moss’ Cooper and Peter Collins’ HWM. At the 1st corner Tarzanbocht, Lance Macklin (HWM) crashed headlong into Alan Brown (Cooper) taking both out as they attempted to avoid Salvadori. Ken Wharton (Cooper privateer) in the last remiaing British car was the next to retire with engine problems. He was joined by Luigi Villoresi (Ferrari) Louis Rosier (Ferrari privateer) and Harry Schell (Gordini). Then at the front of the field just behind leader Juan Manuel Fangio (Maserati), Maurice Trintignant’s Gordini lost control when he drove into Mike Hawthorn’s Ferrari.  Hawthorn led the surviving cars into the second lap (gaining the bonus point for lap leader) in what was now a 2 way fight between Ferrari and Maserati.

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End of lap. 1st – Hawthorn (Ferrari), 2nd – Bonetto (Maserati), 3rd – Fangio (Maserati), 4th – Ascari (Ferrari), 5th – Lang (Maserati)

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LAP 2 – For the second race in succession only a handful of cars were left for the 2nd lap. Hawthorn (Ferrari) had opened up a healthy lead but couldn’t relax owing to the brutal nature of the circuit and Fangio (Maserati) keeping him honest. Ascari (Ferrari) and Lang (Maserati) were also just in contention.  Towards the back, Farina (Ferrari) and Bira (Maserati privateer) both retired with engine problems. World Champion Farina had had a very poor race and had failed to score for the second successive race. Hawthorn extended his lead while Ascari moved up to second althougfh his mount was showing some serious signs of wear. 

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End of lap. 1st – Hawthorn (Ferrari), 2nd – Ascari (Ferrari), 3rd – Fangio (Maserati), 4th – Lang (Maserati), 5th – Bonetto (Maserati)

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Hawthorn (just visible in the distance), nurses his Ferrari home.

LAP3 – As Bonetto (Maserati) pitted prior to the final lap, news came through that de Graffenreid (Maserati privateer) who was behind him in 6th had retired just after crossing the start/finish line. This guaranteed all the remaining 5 runners points regardless of whether they finished the race. Ascari (Ferrari) who was in 2nd place retired early on with a blown engine leaving Hawthorn in the other Ferrari way out in front. The Maserati’s of Bonetto and Lang were next to go with engine problem’s. With just 2 of the original 20 runners left Hawthorn took his foot off the gas and nursed his car over the line to take a deserved win with  a huge margin over Fangio’s Maserati. This win makes Hawthorn the first Briton to win a post war race and totally vindicates his choice of manufacturer when pressure was on to remain with a British marque.

 

 

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Result

1st – Mike Hawthorn (GB) Ferrari – 9 points (8 points for the win plus bonus point for 1st lap leader)

2nd – Juan Manuel Fangio (Arg) Maserati – 6 points

3rd (DNF) – Hermann Lang (Ger) Maserati – 4 points

4th (DNF) – Felice Bonetto (IT) Maserati – 3 points

5th (DNF) – Alberto Ascari (IT) Ferrari – 2 points

Championship standings

1st – Lang (Ger) Maserati – 13 points (1 win)

2nd – Fangio (Arg) Maserati – 12 points (0 wins)

3rd – Hawthorn (GB) Ferrari – 9 points (1 win)     

                                                                                          

NEXT – A short summer break while the Battle of Britain is played out live then – Race #3 – BELGIUM – Spa-Francorchamps. 

SEASON 4 – Maserati destroy opposition with historic first win while Ferrari record worst ever result – 1953 Historic Formula de solitaire season Race #1 of 8 – Buenos Aires

South America welcomed the F1 championship as the first continent outside Europe to host an F1 race. Buenos-Aires was the chosen circuit and thanks to Maserati’s acquisition of Fangio and 2 other Argentine drivers the circuit was packed for the weekend. Qualifying was carried out in the wet with Felice Bonetto (Maserati) & Prince Bira (Maserati privateer) both spinning out thankfully with no injuries. However the honours went to the Maserati team who took the top two places on the grid with debutant Hermann Lang just pipping Juan Manuel Fangio by less than a second. Jean Behra took the 3rd place on the starting grid with the Ferrari’s of Alberto Ascari and Giuseppe Farina on the second grid. The best British qualifier was Ken Wharton (Cooper privateer) in an impressive 6th. 

Lap – 1 GRID. Maserati’s of Lang on pole alongside team-mate Fangio and Behra (Gordini). 2nd row Ferrari’s of Ascari and Farina joined by Wharton’s privately entered Cooper.

LAP 1 – All the drivers got off safely, with Lang (Maserati) just holding the lead under intense pressure from Fangio (Maserati) and Behra (Gordini). Half way into the lap all 20 cars were still going. The first retirements began shortly after, first Stirling Moss (Cooper) then Behra (Gordini) retired with engine trouble. Behra had been in 2nd. Another debutant Roy Salvadori (Connaught) was next with a collapsed suspension quickly followed by another debutant Oscar Galvez (Maserati). Meanwhile at the front of the field Wharton (Cooper privateer) clipped Ascari (Ferrari) forcing both out allowing Lang (Maserati) the opportunity to pull clear. With all the debris over the track at Vibratoria inevitably more cars succumbed. First veteran Louis Rosier (Ferrari privateer) with suspension damage, then Prince B Bira (Maserati privateer) collected the second Argentine debutant Onofre Marimon (Maserati) to hoots of derision from the locals. Next to fall by the wayside was Johnny Claes’ privateer Connaught leaving just the HWM of Lance Macklin running for the British marques. Macklin chose not to pit as just ahead of him Harry Schell (Gordini) rammed Farina (Ferrari) in an over ambitious move to try to get into the pits first. The result apart from 2 stricken cars on the home straight and a track further littered by debris was one of wild gesticulating and obscene gestures from the current World Champion Farina. Mike Hawthorn (Ferrari) who had been having a quiet race did choose to pit and paid the price as his car suffered terminal suspension damage forcing him to abandon his car past the pit entrance. Lang clear of all the shenanigans behind had already pitted for fresh tyres and of course the 1st lap leader bonus point.         

Top 5 at end of lap. 1st – Hermann Lang (Maserati), 2nd – Lance Macklin (HWM), 3rd – Emmanuel de Graffenreid (Maserati privateer), 4th – Juan Manuel Fangio (Maserati), 5th – Maurice Trintignant (Gordini)

LAP 2 – Only 7 cars remained, 4 of which were Maserati’s and with the demise of the Ferrari’s of Ascari, Farina and Hawthorn the race was set up for a first triumph for the Italian team so long in Ferrari’s and Alfa Romeo’s shadow. The field was now well spread with most cars racing on their own, only Fangio (Ferrari) and Trintignant (Gordini) were battling close to each other. HWM, the last British marque still going finally gave up the ghost at Curva de Ascari when Macklin’s engine blew.  It was back to the drawing board for the Garagista’s. Lang (Maserati) now only had to coast home such was his lead. He elected not to pit and risk running over the debris at the entrance. The battle for 2nd hotted up De Graffenreid (Maserati privateer) caught up with Trintignant (Gordini), and Fangio (Maserati). Trintignant spun at Vibratoria reducing it back to a 2 Maserati horse race for the remaining podium places. Luigi Villoresi who had been lying in 4th crashed out hitting debris at Vibratoria. All the Ferrari’s had now retired, the teams worst ever result and the first time since Rheims 1950 that the Prancing Horse failed to garner a single point.

Top 5 at end of lap. 1st – Lang (Maserati), 2nd – Fangio (Maserati), 3rd – De Graffenreid (Maserati privateeri), 4th – Maurice Trintignant (Gordini), 5th – Felice Bonetto (Maserati)

LAP 3 – Lang (Maserati) successfully negotiated the debris at Vibratoria his last obstacle to victory but behind, Fangio (Maserati) and De Graffenried (Maserati privateer) were still keenly contesting the race, then Fangio spun coming out of Entrada Los Mixtos allowing De Graffenried to pass. Hitherto anonymous racers Maurice Trintignant (Gordini) and Felice Bonetto (Maserati) were also battling it out for the final places keenly aware that even coming in last would net points thanks to the driver attrition so far.  Bonetto’s superior Maserati eventually pulling clear. Lang took the chequered flag and a historic first victory for Maserati and a German driver. There was more drama still to unfold as De Graffenried still unable to shake off the attentions of Fangio entered Horquilla the final curve too fast causing him to spin at the exit allowing Fangio to claim 2nd place to the delight of the home crowd. Bonetto’s 4th place meant Maserati had claimed the top 4 places with just the battered Gordini of Trintignant showing any stamina by finishing in 5th and last place. 

1st – Hermann Lang (Ger) Maserati – 9 points (8 points for the win plus bonus point for 1st lap leader)

2nd – Juan Manuel Fangio (Arg) Maserati – 6 points

3rd – Emmanuel de Graffenreid (SWI) Maserati (privateer) – 4 points 

4th – Felice Bonetto (IT) Maserati – 3 points

 

5th – Maurice Trintignant (FRA) Gordini – 2 points

 

                                                                                                 

  NEXT – Race #2 – THE NETHERLANDS Zandvoort. Can Ferrari recover? 

Fangio returns for Maserati – 1953 Historic Formula de solitaire Pre Season

1953 sees almost as much upheaval and change to teams as the previous season. With the announcement of Alfa-Romeo and Talbot pulling out of F1, Maserati were given 5 berths at the expense of all the British teams who were only given a single berth each, Gordini despite last seasons victories were also given less than their required places. ERA and Frazer-Nash declined to enter on these terms. Italian team OSCA who had attempted to field a team in 1951 were given a reserve place but the other newcomer, Germany’s AFM were declined entry. In personnel terms the big news is that Fangio is returning after his season long sabbatical. As Ferrari had had the pick of existing drivers and filled all their places, Fangio plumped for a rejuvenated Maserati team bringing with him a couple of Argentine debutants. Mike Hawthorn chose not to stay at Cooper but aiming for immediate success took up with Ferrari. Stirling Moss filled his place at Cooper. Despite only having a single entrant at the start of the season, all 3 remaining British teams entering were given priority for reserve places should slots become available in season.  

The season will increase to eight races with Buenos-Aires added to the calendar after a surge in interest in South America following news of Fangio’s return. Rheims (FRA) returns to replace Rouen Les Essarts (Fra)

Team details

FERRARI (IT) – Now the undisputed Italian no.1 team following Alfa-Romeo’s demise, this time they can expect a much stiffer challenge compared to last season. Line-up features the two World Champions past and present and the impressive Mike Hawthorn from Cooper.

Drivers:-

#1 Alberto Ascari (IT)

#2 Giuseppe Farina (IT)

#3 Mike Hawthorn (GB)

#21 Luigi Villoresi (IT) 

MASERATI (IT) – Returning with their strongest team to date, led this time by the exceptional Fangio but with Ferrari having the pick of the Italian drivers having to settle on some untested debutants. Huge funds have been piled into the car and engine development. Team principal hinted that nothing less than the championship will do, failure could result in bankruptcy.

Driver:-

#8 Juan Manuel Fangio (ARG)

#9 Felice Bonetto (IT)

#10 Onofre Marimon (ARG) debutant

#24 Oscar-Alfredo Galvez (ARG) debutant

#25 Hermann Lang (W. GER) debutant

GORDINI (FR) – Now solely representing French interests following Talbot’s decision to pull out. Hoping to improve on last season and targeting podiums. The only real competition to the Italian teams but may struggle as investment has been cut.

Drivers:-

#11 Maurice Trintignant (FR)

#12 Harry Schell (USA)

#27 Jean Behra (FR)

HWM (GB) –  Along with other British teams, only permitted a single car entry although 3 more drivers are on the reserve list. Hoping to continue where they left off and upset the applecart but unlikely to reproduce last season’s heroics.

Driver:-

#28 Lance Macklin (GB)

 

Cooper (GB) – Entering an official team after last seasons impressive privateer entry in Hawthorn’s hands had so impressed. Talented youngster Stirling Moss replaces him but don’t expect miracles.

Driver:-

#13 Stirling Moss (GB)

 

Connaught (GB) – Have struggled following injuries to their drivers last season. Hoping to improve reliability issues but unlikely to trouble the rest of the field

Driver:-

#19 Roy Salvadori (GB) debutant

The remainder are made up of 5 Privateer entrants comprising 2 Maserati’s, 1 Ferrari, Cooper & Connaught respectively.

Privateer Entrants:-

#26 Emmanuel de Graffenreid (SWI) Maserati

#22 Louis Rosier (FR) Ferrari

#14 Ken Wharton (GB) Cooper

#30 Johnny Claes (BEL) Connaught

#23 Prince B Bira (THAI) Maserati

Reserve Team:-

OSCA (IT) – Mention also goes to OSCA who following an aborted attempt to enter in 1951 have been granted a single reserve slot.

Attached below season template:-

F1 Results 1953

SEASON 3 – Farina World Champion again despite Gordini’s attempts to spoil the Tifosi party – 1952 Historic Formula de solitaire season Race #7 of 7 – Monza

With the final race of the championship at a sunny Monza there were just 2 contenders left. Lying in first, ex champion Giuseppe Farina in the Works Ferrari on 30 points. His only rival capable of stealing the title was Rudi Fischer in a privately entered Ferrari on 23 points. Nothing less than a win AND the 1st lap leader bonus point would do to allow the unfancied Fischer to win the championship.

Qualifying in the wet was thankfully uneventful although Andre Simon (Ferrari) and Duncan Hamilton (HWM) became the 29th and 30th drivers to take part following Harry Schell and Eric Brandon’s injuries in the previous race. 

Don’t stand so, don’t stand so, don’t stand so close to me – Lap 1 and it all gets a bit cosy at Retifilo

LAP 1 – Fischer (Ferrari privateer) got the drop on pole-sitter Farina (Ferrari) just heading him into the first corner Retifilo. However, it was Peter Collins (HWM) who took an early lead. Peter Hirt’s (Ferrari privateer) race came to a premature end when he was forced to take avoiding action swerving past a stalled Eitel Cantoni’s privately entered Maserati only to clip Simon’s Ferrari before crossing the start line. Hamilton’s HWM came to grief shortly after at Retifilo soon followed by Andre Simpon’s Ferrari that retired with suspension issues. There were to be no heroics from Alberto Ascari winner of the last race as his Ferrari collected Paul Frere’s HWM at Della Roggia to the disappointment of the massed Ferrari fans watching on. Frere required medical attention although he did not suffer life threatening injury. At the front, Collins was soon overhauled his race ending at the Ascari Variante chicane leaving Fischer (Ferrari privateer) with Jean Behra (Gordini) for company.

Allez les Bleu! – Behra’s Gordini exits Ascari Variante while Fischers Ferrari flounders

Then the championship deciding moment when exiting 2nd Lesmo Behra drove sublimely to enter Ascari Variante in 4th while Fischer completely mistimed his entry and had to drop down to 2nd gear so as not to overshoot allowing Behra to blast away. Crossing the line in the lead earnt him the bonus point but more importantly it meant that Fischer could not catch Farina’s points tally and as such Giuseppe Farina was World Champion again and all before he completed his first lap. Behra’s team mates were not so fortunate however as first Louis Rosier, then Maurice Trintignants Gordini’s pulled up with overheating engines. The final retirement on the first lap was Thailand’s Prince B Bira’s privately entered Maserati who engine expired at Parabolica.

• Top 5 at end of lap. 1st – Jean Behra (Gordini), 2nd – Giuseppe Farina (Ferrari), 3rd – Robert Manzon (Gordini), 4th – Rudi Fischer (Ferrari privateer), 5th – Ken Wharton (Frazer-Nash)

LAP 2 – At the commencement of the 2nd lap Behra opened up a commanding lead as the majority of the chasing pack had to pit for fresh tyres. He continued to extend his lead to almost half a lap. Pierro Taruffi (Ferrari) joined the chasers when he too did not have to pit. As he passed Manzon into 3rd, the latter tried to regain the place attempting to pass on the narrow inside at 2nd Lesmo. The space was never wide enough and inevitably there was a coming together ending both drivers hopes for a finish and points. By virtue of this, Farina retook a distant 2nd place at the end of the lap. Throwing caution to the wind he decided not to pit in order to give him a slight chance of catching Behra’s Gordini.    

• Top 5 at end of lap. 1st – Behra (Gordini), 2nd – Farina (Ferrari), 3rd – Fischer (Ferrari privateer), 4th – Emmanuel de Graffenried (Alfa-Romeo privateer),  5th – Luigi Villoresi (Ferrari)

LAP 3 – Behra’s lead was so large that Farina had to gamble not to pit in an attempt to try to close the gap. Ultimately it proved too large as Farina shredded his tyres trying to catch up and Behra crossed the finish line well ahead of Farina who could now celebrate being crowned World Champion for a second time.  Emmanuel de Graffenreids first points after 3 seasons of trying in an ailing Alfa-Romeo were no more than a token reminder of a team that had for the last 2 seasons been the world no.1. Ferrari could now claim undisputed Italian no.1 status as Alfa announced they were quitting the championship. Farina must have looked back on his move from them to Ferrari at the start of the season as an inspired move. Mike Hawthorns 4th place and his season long consistency finishing in 6 of the 7 races had also caught the eye in the paddock and after Cooper’s announcement of entering an official team for next season it would be interesting to see if they could hold onto their protégé.    

RESULT

1st – Jean Behra (FRA) Gordini – 7 points (8 points plus 1 bonus point for 1st lap leader minus 2 dropped points )

2nd – Giuseppe Farina (IT) Ferrari – 0 points (6 points for 2nd minus 6 dropped points)

3rd – Emmanuel de Graffenried (SWI) Alfa-Romeo privateer – 4 points

4th – Mike Hawthorn (GB) Cooper privateer – 3 points

5th – Luigi Villoresi (IT) Ferrari – 2 points 

 Final Championship placings after 7 races

1st –  Farina (IT) Ferrari – 30 points (2 wins)

2nd – Behra (FRA) Gordini – 28 points (2 wins)

3rd – Fischer (SWI) Ferrari privateer – 23 points (2 wins) 

4th – Taruffi (IT) Ferrari – 14 points (0 wins)

5th – Ascari (IT) Ferrari – 10 points (1 win)                                                                                       

     

NEXT – A short break before the 1953 season and Juan Manuel Fangio’ return