Race :: Round 24 - Into Barrböjen!

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Norway shifts down hard and takes the Barrböjen chicane, cutting across the narrow road between the tall pines. The Volcán glances over and is shocked to see the yellow Duesenberg of Belgium pull alongside! The Belgian driver, Victor Hugo Stéphane, waves his hand against the harsh and frigid wind, then reaches for the gear shift – his hands are nearly frozen with frost bite.

Meanwhile, Sebi Orsi lets the two leaders pull away, staying in 4th gear and biding his time. Perhaps he is too casual, for not far behind, the German, Godeschalk Hegkman, guns his little white Bugatti in a bid to catch the Italian's bright Maserati. Indeed, it will be a race into the Barrböjen chicane.

Back in Hårnålskurva, Monaco's Louis de Montignac presses around the outside of the curve, closely pursued by the British driver, John Milk. Both shift down hard to 2nd gear in a bid to avoid overrunning the curve, grinding their gearboxes against the over speed. Each driver manages to avoid a dangerous skid and both have lost momentum and slowed greatly.

The Britisher twists to look back, knowing who is closing in from behind. He sees the Czech Bugatti slide smoothly into Lekböjen. For Vitez Rychly, this was an all or nothing gambit – had he fumbled his gears just then, he would have likely undershot the curve. With that, he would have certainly wrecked the car into a snowbank nearby. Yet Rychly's touch on the gear handle remains sure. Once again, his driving is the epitome of control. Perhaps it is luck, perhaps it is fate, but without doubt, the Czech driver is now ready to challenge into the top five. He will likely overtake both the British and Monegasque cars before Barrböjen as they both struggle to build speed after the risky hairpin. But only if Rychly can also ace Hårnålskurva....

The Scot, Alastair MacDougall, rockets around the far lane of Storkurvan, perfectly positioned for the upcoming chicane. Farther back in the great curve, the Swiss Bugatti, the French Salmson, and the Portuguese Bugatti battle for position – they look over to the Monza driven by Sweden as it closes the gap and slides toward the apex, overtaking Gomes.

Finland skids out of the Höksböjen curve, setting up for Storkurvan. He has fallen off the pace but could once again challenge for the middle of the pack if he drives with abandon now. Perhaps the Finn's Chrysler is not performing well or perhaps Myrsky is merely biding his time – the race is only half way through and, with care, he stands a reasonable chance of finishing without too great a point penalty. He must choose now – a wild race or a careful one.

Race :: Round 23 - Mad Dash to Barrböjen!

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Norway presses on, fighting against the drag of his tire chains as he struggles to set up for the upcoming Barrböjen chicane. Despite his high gear, he cannot quite break away from the others, who press on stoically.

Belgium's Victor Hugo Stéphane cuts to the right to avoid the debris that litters the track, closely followed by Sebi Orsi of Italy. The sound of the big American Duesenberg overpowers the red Maserati's more refined purr. Orsi seems content to sit for now in third place. Among the leaders, it appears that the top three are a near certainty for the podium, though only half the race is done. Will none other challenge?

Germany slides gracefully into the Hårnålskurva hairpin, while both the Monegasque and British drivers fall short, crowding one another for position. Both will now have to shift down hard if they are to survive the curve.

Farther back, in Storkurvan, Vitez Rychly guides his Bugatti around in preparation for the run into the upcoming Lekböjen chicane. He is all alone, safely nestled between the two packs of cars – one pack of leaders ahead and the other pack of trailing cars falling off rapidly now behind. Only the Scottish Amilcar can possibly catch him, if he makes a mistake in the upcoming curve. Rychly eyes the upcoming curves.... Yes, if he times his gear selections correctly, he may yet overtake the John Milk of Britain and Louis de Montignac of Monaco as they soon race down the straight toward Barrböjen.

The Swiss Bugatti, in the capable hands of Petrus de Salvion Bernardus, literally flies out of Höksböjen and overtakes the French Salmson. Yet now, both are short of taking Storkurvan and are badly positioned. Each will likely suffer as a result.

The Portuguese driver, Pedro Gomes, misjudges and skids desperately out of the curve, barely in control. Still, he has a fresh car and he can afford the tire burn. With a laugh, he overtakes the Swedish Alfa Romeo Monza of Rutger Hägglund.

Finland pulls to the right and gently eases the big Chrysler around the outside of the curve – it is looking almost hopeless for the Finnish ice racer and indeed, many of the fans from Helsinki are already cursing, shouting at him to press on with greater speed. Surely, Finland, the most renowned of the Scandinavian ice racers, will not hang in last place through the race!

Race :: Round 22 - The Volcán Erupts!

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Norway's famed ice racer, Teide Sorolla-Ledaal, explodes out of the backfield in an aggressive launch to take the lead. This is why he is known as the “Volcán!” The Bugatti's engine screams as he shifts up into 6th gear for a dash down the straightaway toward the Barrböjen chicane. With this he may well establish a commanding lead over the others.

Meanwhile, Belgium's Victor Hugo Stéphane glances to the right to watch the Volcán pull ahead, but he is in lower gear – can he stay the course and keep in the running or will he shift down and take a pit stop? One and a half laps remain and most believe that this is realistically the last likely time for any of the cars to take a pit stop and repair.

Italy's Sebi Orsi is also in lower gear and now he cannot shift to 6th and try to stay the course with the Norwegian, despite the power and light weight of his Maserati. Yet Orsi seems pleased – his red scarf snaps in the breeze as he puts the pedal down, willing the damaged Maserati forward.

Germany's Godeschalk Hegkman overtakes Monaco. Britain is in trail and together they race toward the hairpin at Hårnålskurva. All three do not shift up, somehow willing to sacrifice the chance at the podium for the moment – although a long race is still ahead and anything can happen.

Back at Storkurvan, Vitez Rychly fishtails his car as he enters the curve. Immediately behind, falling just short, the Scottish Amilcar comes up, yet MacDougall has yet to close the gap much against the Czech Bugatti.

In Höksböjen, France and Switzerland both cut to the apex of the curve, still locked tightly together. Frances skids, but the Swiss car jams the back of the big Salmson racer, damaging both cars. At these speeds, real damage is done. Indeed, five of the remaining thirteen race cars are badly damaged now. How many will fail to complete the race? Will any take a pit stop to repair the damage? Will Aristide La Fontaine manage to make it into Storkurvan before the Swiss driver? If so, this will give him the breathing room he needs to advance against the Scot just ahead, and ensure that the Swiss car doesn't hound him as closely.

Portugal breaks ahead and closes the gap on Sweden into Höksböjen. Finland, however, falls off the back of the pack and finally loses the match with Portugal for last place – for the moment at least.

Race :: Round 21 - Germany Overtakes Britain!

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At the lead, Belgium's Victor Hugo Stéphane continues to dominate, but is too slow to take the upcoming hairpin – is he planning a pit stop? It is hard to tell.

Behind, at Lekböjen, Norway, Italy, Monaco and Britain cruise into the chicane. Yet Germany surprises the field and leaps forward in a slingshot out of Storkurvan. Hegkman overtakes Milk's British Amilcar! The white Bugatti T51 is showing its merit!

Vitez Rychly presses forward, but falls just short of entering Storkurvan, while behind, Scotland tears through the debris field without sustaining any damage. MacDougall sets up to advance, hoping to close the gap on the Czech Bugatti as the two cars race through Storkurvan.

Farther back in Höksböjen, France's Aristide La Fontaine slides to the right and cuts off the Swiss Bugatti. The two cars are tightly spaced, the Swiss nearly touching the rear of the big blue Salmson. Petrus de Salvion Bernardus grits his teeth. If he is to overtake in the curve, he will have to cut to the left and run through the debris field – yet what other option will there be? Only the outside lane is free.... Or, no.... In a flash, he recognizes another option is available, even as he realizes that the tilt of the French driver's head means that he also sees it....

Sweden continues forward while behind, both the Finn and the Portuguese drivers race one another through the curve, still side-by-side after nearly a half lap running near neck and neck in a tie for last place.

Race :: Round 20 - Belgium Soars!

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Belgium's Victor Hugo Stéphane presses ahead, suddenly putting a gap to the field. The great yellow Duesenberg claws forward across the ice-covered surface of Laxforsen. Norway presses out of Storkurvan but can't seem to get enough power out of the Bugatti to make it to Lekböjen.

Meanwhile, Italy and Monaco stay close and come around the outside of the curve, while the British racer cuts to the inside and lines up to overtake the two in the dash to the upcoming chicane.

Germany's Godeschalk Hegkman slows through Storkurvan, falling badly behind. Despite shifting up, the Bugatti does not advance. Hegkman's only advantage is that no other will likely put his single seat Bugatti T51 at risk of a collision. From this point, just in trail of the lead pack, he can sit on his perch, waiting for disaster to befall those ahead and then, perhaps in the third lap, press to rejoin the group and hammer out a podium finish. It is a hopeful plan, given the extraordinary performance of the Belgian's Duesenberg and Vitez Rychly's cunning advance from behind.

Farther back, the Czech racer continues to dominate the middle of the pack, now setting his sights on the white Bugatti ahead. Rychly is taking each curve with extraordinary precision, the very picture of driving art as he hits every apex, every curve, time after time with amazing accuracy.

The Scot, Alastair MacDougall, comes into the Höksböjen curve. He eyes the orange Bugatti and takes the racing line, despite the risk of damage from the debris that now litters the track.

France's Aristide La Fontaine presses past the Swiss Bugatti into the approaches to Höksböjen. Both cars steady themselves in preparation for the challenge of the icy turn.

At Fiskekroken, Sweden slows and gingerly takes the curve while both the Finn and the Portuguese drivers press into the entrance of the curve, side-by-side.

Race :: Round 19 - Sweden Suffers Badly

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Belgium's Victor Hugo Stéphane continues to dominate in the lead position. The great American Duesenberg racer roars around Storkurvan with perfection. Norway, Italy and Monaco hold position, taking a conservative line, while the British racer overtakes Germany on the inside to come up alongside de Montignac.

Farther back, the Czech racer, Vitez Rychly, shifts down and brilliantly slides into the inside lane of the Höksböjen curve, neatly cutting past the Scot, Alastair MacDougall. The saltire-painted Amilcar falls short and MacDougall watches sadly as the orange Bugatti dashes past, continuing his climb back toward the lead pack. Over the past half lap, Rychly has steadily moved up, challenging and overtaking multiple cars as he continues to press forward, his tires and brakes fresh from the recent pit stop.

Back at Fiskekroken, Switzerland and France maneuver through the curve as they come back onto the ice. Both drivers shift up in hopes of pressing to the following curve, only inches separating their tires.

Meanwhile, the Swede, Rutger Hägglund, struggles forward on his tire chains, clattering into the entrance of the curve from behind. It is a daring move, however, given the amount of debris littering the track. Terrible luck befalls the Swede as his car takes extreme damage to the under body! In an instant, the race has now changed for the Hajen. Risking another run through more debris will likely spell disaster for the badly damaged Monza.

Finally, the Finn and the Portuguese continue their race for last place, finishing the chicane as they prepare for the dash to Fiskekroken.

Race :: Round 18 - Belgium Leaps Ahead!

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Belgium's Victor Hugo Stéphane leaps past Norway to take the lead, driving deep into Storkurvan. Norway slides left to take the curve with perfection, while behind, Orsi calmly positions himself for third place, sacrificing the lead for the moment. Monaco skids dangerously out of the Höksböjen curve, barely in control, shredding his tire spikes and burning brakes as he struggles to avoid spinning out, such is the speed he carries. Germany's Godeschalk Hegkman smoothly exits the curve, with Britain tucked in close behind. Farther back, Scotland and the Czech driver, Vitez Rychly, storm out of Fiskekroken, vying with one another for the lead. Switzerland and France shift down hard and come into the center of the curve, back on the ice. The Swede steadily advances while the battle for last place continues between the Finnish racing hero, Tavho Myrsky, and Portugal's sheep-frenzied driver, Pedro Gomes.

Race :: Round 17 - Denmark Crashes!

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Coming out of the Höksböjen curve, Diederik Olsen of Denmark struggles at the wheel. His Alfa Romeo Super Sport narrowly clips the snowbank to the right and slides toward the center of the track – the Dane corrects, but the front tire twists and the car spins to the left, out of control. Realizing it is hopeless, the Dane braces himself for a crash. The car flips onto its side as it spins. It skids to a stop at Storkurvan. The Dane is uninjured. He scrambles clear.

Behind, Norway's famed Volcán cuts across the apex of Höksböjen, overtaking Sebi Orsi for the lead. He cuts through the debris that litters the track, damaging the underside of his Bugatti in the press for advantage. Nonetheless, he skids out of the curve into the lead. The Volcán glances back to see Orsi's Maserati pull around.

The Belgian driver, Victor Hugo Stéphane, follows the Norwegian closely, cutting past Orsi into second place as the three cars line up. The yellow Duesenberg has run through the debris field as well, damaging to the car.

Germany and Monaco fall in behind, with the British driver, John Milk, taking the curve with great skill, his Amilcar perfectly positioned.

At Fiskekroken, the Scot cuts to the inside as Vitez Rychly, clearly back in the race after his pit stop, cuts left across the French car, blocking the way. With a laugh, Rychly tears off one of his gloves and flings it at Aristide. The French driver ducks and cuts in behind, but for an instant, he loses control of the great Salmson and it clips the Czech Bugatti from behind, damaging both. Finally, the Swiss driver cuts into the mix, crowding the corner dangerously.

Sweden's Rutger Hägglund maneuvers through the Barrböjen chicane, avoiding the debris that litters the track on the right side, all alone. Meanwhile, farther back, Portugal and Finland accelerate, positioning themselves for the upcoming Chicane in a race for last place.

Race :: Round 16 - Denmark on the Edge!

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Sebi Orsi slides into the Höksböjen curve, willingly sacrificing his lead position to the two cars who follow. Denmark's Diederik Olsen realized too late his predicament and is now suddenly caught in too high gear and carrying too much speed into the curve. He struggles to hold the car as it skids forward. In a flash, he races past Orsi, who salutes Olsen as the Dane goes by. Olsen cuts left to take the apex of the curve, hoping that the Alfa Romeo Super Sport will live up to its reputation. He barely holds on as the car skids back to the right through debris on the track. He is far too fast! Olsen can feel the car sliding away as he comes to the edge – in a flash, he recognizes the inevitable. There is no escaping a crash now. A snowbank looms to the right. He must hold it onto the track. The long skid begins....

Norway's famed Volcán follows, watching the Dane's car in horror. Yet the Norwegian is in better control. He noses out Orsi for the position. Behind, the Belgian driver, Victor Hugo Stéphane, pulls into the curve in complete harmony with his great American car. The yellow Duesenberg purrs as it moves into position to soon challenge for the lead.

Behind, Monaco's Louis de Montignac skids and slides his way out of Fiskekroken, tearing the spikes and tread off of his tires. The Alfa Romeo Tipo B holds together – it is a desperate ploy, but it works, putting de Montignac back into the hunt. Germany's Godeschalk Hegkman presses ahead too, skidding his way down the start straight, his white single seat Bugatti blending in nicely with the snow and ice. Behind, John Milk takes his Amilcar through the rest of the curve. He glances over to nervously eye the Scottish nationalist, Alastair MacDougall, who presses in. Yet MacDougall has miscalculated. He fumbles his gear change and falls short of the curve, giving the Englishman some needed breathing room.

The French driver shifts down hard completes the chicane. He is surprised to see Vitez Rychly's orange Bugatti pull past to edge out the position, but the Salmson racer is not to be so easily overcome. Behind the pair, the Swiss driver comes forward in hot pursuit, while even further back Sweden's Rutger Hägglund shifts down and takes the Barrböjen chicane. His Alfa Romeo Monza is showing its dominance now as the Swede begins to close the gap on the middle of the pack.

Finally, roaring out of the pits, Portugal's Pedro Gomes slips his clutch and slows the Bugatti, despite an earlier near perfect restart. Tavho Myrsky instead shifts up and rams his foot to the floor, passing the Bugatti with aplomb. The huge Chrysler's engine strains and roars as Myrsky laughs, enjoying the pursuit. While these two cars are in last place, their tires are fresh and the damage is repaired – if they can drive well now, they know that they will end the race in good position.