FMR RACE REPORT - ERRONEOUS ERROL ISLAND GRAND PRIX
*Weather Report
Welcome to the fourth round of The Tableland FMR League, the middle round of the season. Today, our hosts are the fine people of the Erroneous Errol Island. And haven't they put on their best weather. It is predicted that some tropical rain will come over and dump water all over the track course. There won't be any wind, so the clouds are expected to hover over the island for some time. It will reach a very warm 30 Cs at the track today.
PERFECT SETUP: DBT with a defensive driver
WORST SETUP: SAC with an aggressive driver
In the first ever wet grand prix of international FMR, the normally advantaged aggressive drivers will be severely disadvantaged. Defensive drivers are probably the most likely to be successful today, barring poor driving. Homecrowd favourites, the Island Racing Team, look to have the best setup vehicle but unfortunately, they will be held back because of their driver personalities. Good luck to all drivers.


*The Race
For such a wet race, it is surprising that only one driver failed to make it across the finish line. That driver was Punh Marmington who suffered terminal damage to her small race car-like vehicle after momentarily making contact with a solid wall. The track was designed so that if there was rain, it would run off down the slope that the track was built on. Unfortunately, rain from the upper half of the track flowed down across the lower half of the track. While most teams travelled slowly through the particularly wet part of the track on safe slicks designed to deal with the riverlets, the French Marmaduke went through there and saw a perfect opportunity to overtake. She miscalculated the amount of water, spun out of control and slammed into a wall protecting spectactors from flying debris. During construction of the track, the wall was considered unnecessary but was only put in at the last minute to meet stringent safety regulations. While Marmington might have made it across the line without it, spectactors surely would have died without it.

Given the conditions, it is not surprising that four of the five defensive drivers made up the top four. In first place, by a lap and a half, was Jos Oxford of Liam & Co Racing. Driving one of the fastest GPs seen at international level, Oxford dominated the race from start to finish. Up until this point in the season, the Australian has scored points in each race, including two podiums and so it seems fitting that Oxford has finally managed to grab top spot. It remains to be seen whether he can maintain this form and maybe even take out the Championship. Following Oxford, but behind by quite a distance, was Marsie of ZoomTamamara, matching last week's JI GP performance with an almost identical drive. Third of the fast conservative drivers, and a lot closer to Marsie than she was to Oxford, was Shez Fastest adding to her three points from earlier on in the season. Half a lap behind Fastest, the younger of the Fastest siblings, was Sultan Wessoo, the best performance from a home driver. The disappointment was palpable in the crowd as they expected to at least be more competitive in the race. Ferga Burga, one of the greatest drivers of the modern era, fought the anti-aggressive trend and was the only aggressive driver to finish in the top ten, let alone score points. The bottom eight of the field was entirely made up of aggressive drivers, including Sandy Duneby, winner of the JI GP.

The race standings at the conclusion of the Erroneous Errol Island GP:
1. Jos Oxford (Liam & Co Racing) - 10 points
2. Marsie (ZoomTamamara) - 6 points
3. Shez Fastest (Dammit Racing) - 4 points
4. Sultan Wessoo (GN Racing) - 3 points
5. Ferga Burga (Team Ferg) - 2 points
6. Grace Petrovo (Liamist Racing) - 1 point
7. Shellbe Rightmate (Team Ferg)
8. Kathleen Johnston (Island Racing Settlement)
9. Great Nathan (GN Racing)
10. French Maid (Nomattian Knights)
11. Jack Michaelson (Island Racing Settlement)
12. Muhamma the Great (Ancient Speed Demons)
13. Bazza (Dune Surfing Motor Company)
14. Saija (Liamist Racing)
15. Hes Fastest (Dammit Racing)
16. Sandy Duneby (Dune Surfing Motor Company)
17. Pompous Frenchman (Nomattian Knights)
18. Ibn the Small (Ancient Speed Demons)
OUT: Punh Marmington [crash]

An interesting race to say the least was held today, even if the home fans are expressing their disappointment through rioting in the CBD of the capital city. Ferga Burga is within the reach of Jos Oxford with only a points' lead for the former over the latter. Third on the drivers standings is Sandy Duneby from the Dune Surfing Motor Company on 16 points. Team Ferg retakes their lead in constructors standings with Ferga Burga's two points from today. The Dune Surfing Motor Company and Liam & Co Racing are now in separable only a single point behind. Fourth is occupied by the Island Racing Settlement who failed to take advantage of their advantage in today's GP. Next week, Fergustan, with their permission, will hold the fifth round of the FMR season as we head inevitably to the pointier end of the season. Thanks to our sponsors and see you at the next grand prix.