Season 7 Championship

redlinederby Sunday, 12/11/2011
Site manager

Preview
This, the last championship of the year, will see this season's best cars put 'em on the glass while the battle on the leaderboard is as close as it has ever been.

Just 25 points separate 1st and 2nd place, and 3rd is within sneezing distance as well. But if there's one thing we've all learned this season, it's to expect the unexpected. JDC442 is on top right now but he's not resting on his laurels with Worpex blowing riding up his tailpipe. It should be noted that if JDC442 manages to win this will be his third championship belt! Of course, GSR Microracing is just waiting for one of those two to trip up so he can slide right on through to the top spot. It's going to be a nail biter.

Looking at the numbers along, the VW 181 has the highest rank going into this tournament with a 1315, followed closely Stockar FTE with 1310...but this will not be a tournament won by numbers, it will be won on gut instinct and a little bit of luck. Shadow Jet will most certainly be a favorite pick but lets not forget that Greased Lightnin' put on quite a display early in the season taking advantage of not only its speed, but its length. Of course, the Hot Wheels 500 and '92 Mustang put on some good shows this season as well.

This championship is dominated by Fantasy class cars but the real world has some good cars fighting for it including the rookie Lamborghini sedan and the smooth-as-glass 80s Corvette. But I guess we can't discount the ol' El Camino either, huh? It hasn't seen much action, but it's win record is pretty impressive.

It's hard to say what will go down next weekend but it's safe to say it will keep everyone on the edge of their seats. And when all the smoke clears we'll have our last champion of not only 2011, but the last champion to be crowned under the current system. Next year we'll be on a new playground with some new challenges and lots of new cars.

Place your bets now...and if you're JDC442, you might want to sacrifice some chickens or something. There are some very tough picks to make in this final tournament. Good luck!

Highlights and Results
The Season 7 Championship was what a tournament should be...close racing filled with drama but not without some following expectations. This tournament saw the best-of-the-best of the season go at it to decide not only the fastest car but the best fantasy league player.

I'm happy to declare (again) that JDC442 is the season winner but only by the narrowest of margins, a mere 25 points. Jim didn't win the actual tournament, that was handled by Clifford Shaw, but with a total 2135 points, JDC442 takes home the fantasy league crown yet again...this being his 3rd title. Congratulations, Jim, but the guys that have been chasing him all season shouldn't go without the honorable mentions. Worpex and GSR Microracing traded paint with JDC all season and in a season that was full of upsets and surprises, getting a score above 2000 was an achievement in itself.

For his outstanding ability to pick the winners this season, JDC442 will receive a prize pack of collector diecast cars from Tom's Diecast Cars. You can check out more cars for sale at http://www.tomsdiecastcars.com

So lets get to the racing!!

Complete results: http://www.redlinederby.com/fantasy/bracket.php?id=113

Round 1 didn't see much drama outside of a few match-ups, including the Lamborghini-Jaguar race and the Camino-Stockar race. The Lambo and tiny little Jag was an incredibly close match-up, and if you had the Jag winning you shouldn't lose any sleep because it was just that close...could have gone anyway. The El Camino...well, it was behind some serious drama the entire tournament, as you've probably already seen. Again, this was a battle between some serious rollers and the D-rating of the match could not be understated.

What started with the El Camino taking out the Stockar FTE would set the tone for the rest of the bracket. After Greased Lightnin' out-stretched the Hot Wheels 500 Indy car, it got a taste of 1968 as well in a race I wouldn't have believed if I hadn't seen it myself. I'm sure I'm not alone in expecting Greased Lightnin' to cruise on to at least the third round but the decked out El Camino had other plans. Once again, the Camino eeked out a back-n-fourth win and rolled on passed the Lamborghini to the final round.

Waiting for the El Camino in the championship race was Shadow Jet, which really shouldn't have surprised anyone. And yet again the '68 put on a display that wowed the crowd and had everyone on the edge of their seat. The Shadow Jet took a first race win by only a nose cone. Then the Camino responded by shifting the big block in the back into overdrive. That set the round at 1-1 coming down to the final heat. Both cars lined up giving each other some mean looks, and I think the driver of the El Camino even gave Shadow Jet a one-fingered gesture. The tree lit down to green and they were off. It was a super close race that had to be sent up to the replay booth for review but referees only confirmed what Team El Camino already knew...it had defied the odds and takes home the Season 7 Championship Cup.

Diecast Cars, Hot Wheels, Matchbox

The 1968 El Camino now joins the Hall of Hame along with the several Ferrari cars and last season's Turbolence. You didn't expect it and I didn't expect it, but that's the way the Hot Wheels roll. Congrats again to JDC442 for a great season of picks and big thanks to everyone that played this season. And I can't forget this season's major sponsor, Tom's Diecast Cars.

The fantasy league will now take a well-deserved break until Spring 2012 when we'll all return to the game with a few new features, a lot more cars and a lot more fun. But the racing doesn't stop everywhere! Stay tuned to the Redline Derby forums and Facebook for upcoming mail-in races from our partner racing clubs in Texas and elsewhere.


Discussion

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redlinederby 12/16/11
Site manager

Just an FYI that results probably won't get posted until later Saturday afternoon/evening. Wife is graduating with her masters Saturday midday.

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EconoCarl 12/16/11

Congratulations to Ms. Redlinederby!!!

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Jobe 12/16/11

Yes congrats to Jen!

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JDC442 12/16/11

Wow! Your baby will most likely be a genius with parents like you two. Congratulations on the masters degree Mrs. Vaughn!

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GspeedR 12/18/11

For me, the most surprising lesson learned from Season 7 is....The 'no joke.

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model40fan 12/18/11

congrats to mrs. v.... i see a very nice dinner in brian's future...

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