Rhodes Rashburne and Chumbawamba didn't finish in Race 2, so they will in pole position and 2nd position for this race (sporting shiny new cars, I might add!). Rhodes has not yet finished a race - will this be his first?
The start of the race was exciting. The two lead cars pulled away in a hurry. Quickie and Nicole Tickle proceed next at a stately pace, but The Stig STALLS at the outset! What a setback!
As the lead car hits the first corner, it looks as if this race is going to be all about Rashburne's blue car versus Chumbawamba's white.
Through the round circle curve and the following two turns, all of the drivers seem to be having trouble gauging the correct speeds, and QUICKIE takes advantage!! By the third turn past the circle, Quickie has overtaken not only Chumbawamba, but also Rhodes! His aggressive driving has paid off!
The turn is now packed with drivers. Only The Stig is not in the thick of it. The Stig hasn't recovered from that stall at the starting line, and the excellent drivers in this race aren't making any mistakes.
After the long straightaway, Rashburne is in the lead going into the hairpin, but Nicole Tickle makes a bold move! Gearing UP instead of down into the hairpin! Will Tickle's green car make it through?! Somehow it does! The tires and breaks are shot as Tickle's brakes screech and the green car spins out just past the turn. Looks like an opportunity is presenting itself for The Stig to finally catch up to someone.
On the last turn, Quickie takes the lead, but somehow Rhodes pushes the blue car engine just enough to come out of the corner ahead by a hair! he reclaims the lead!
With the lead secured, Rhodes Rashburne coasts to victory, with Quickie very close behind.
Chumbawamba easily overtakes the spunout car and sails by the checkered flag an uncontested third.
The real excitement is between the two last finishers - Nicole Tickle and The Stig. Can The Stig take advantage of the green car's spinout? Not QUITE! Nicole Tickle has the lead (barely), but the green car is really feeling the strain. I'm not sure there's much left for Nicole to push, and The Stig may have a few more tricks up his sleeve.
The Stig takes the lead out of the last corner, but it's slow going to get up to speed down the straight.
And somehow, someway, the impossible happens! Nicole Tickle slides JUST in front of the Stig just before the finish line! And then on through for 4th place! The Stig's yellow car then takes 5th.
In my opinion, this has been the most exciting race in the series so far. The contests between 1st and 2nd, as well as 4th and 5th were determined by mere milliseconds down the last straight!
The victory in this race gives Rhodes Rashburne a chance to get back into the race for the season championship. Overall, the standings remain the same; but, the wide moat between The Stig and Nicole Tickle versus the other drivers has narrowed considerably!
It will all come down to how skillfully the drivers navigate the last two Races: Buddh and Valencia!
I received leaked information that there was a conspiracy that led to Ms. Tickle not being permitted to make the necessary modifications to her car, which likely cost her the race.
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