SEASON 4 PREVIEW ALONG WITH RACES 1 & 2

THE FIRST DOUBLE WORLD CHAMPION? OR A 4TH IN 4?

As we approach the start of a 4th season in F1 for Kent 360 racers we take a look at who's in the running for both titles and a look forward to the first two races. With Tempy303 and Hypno taking a break from racing and Adman AWOL, season 4 sees a reduced grid of only 5 teams. The usual suspects are there with a return to the grid for season 2 champion Bannbino after he pulled out 6 races in last year. He has teamed up with Satak0 for Katie Price GP. Some drama last week when it was announced the planned chassis of HRT fell through due to exhaust issues and have now signed up to use the Mclaren. Pre-season has seen Bannbino up there and is without doubt a favourite for the title having more podiums then any other driver on the grid despite missing most of last season. Last years team champions Easy Target are back for another bash with R0ckeye also collecting the drivers title last year. Season 4 sees them in the Black and Gold Lotus, though Easy Target no2 driver Squeak as missed all of pre-season so will probably need to take some time to get up to speed. Pre-season has seen R0ckeye put in some good times and again will be a challenger. Last years runner up and narrowly missing out DantheMan takes up the reins again with Villa John in the Force India. Coming off the back of winning the Forza summer saloon championship, Dan struggled initially in testing to re-adjust to F1. But recent lap times have proved that he will be knocking on the door again. Season 1 champion Sheepie UK again teams up with his brother bsheepie for Scuderia Sheepwash in the Ferraris. Sheepie UK hasn't won a race since Belgium back in Season 1 but has high hopes of mounting a serious challenge this year and also thinks the team title could be close. New boys on the grid are Pit Master Chiefs headed up by Marchin Sausage and Iregretnothing in the Red Bull. Iregretnothing has not been seen at all in pre-season due to coming down with an unusual virus called "Halo" and is doubtfull to be on the grid for Melbourne. Marchin Sausage on the other hand has shown good pace in testing and could be giving the seasoned drivers a run for their money.

So as we head to Melbourne and Malaysia for the opening rounds, it looks set to be quite an open season 4 in prospect.

RACE 1 = MELBOURNE

Season 1 Winner = Bsheepie
Season 2 Winner = Bannbino
Season 3 Winner = Bannbino

A temporary street circuit, with a mix of fast flowing corners and technical sections set amongst the trees and lakes of the park, its unique charm and challenge makes it ideal for its role as a curtain-raiser for the new season.

To their benefit, however, is the circuit's reputation for being relatively easy to learn, with few 'demanding' corners on the design. On the flip-side, there are also few straights of any considerable length, meaning that overtaking can be at a premium - although the introduction of a DRS zone along the pit-straight means that turn one is now a viable overtaking opportunity.

However, any driver who makes a move there can expect to be challenged on the run down to the slow-speed turn three.

As a temporary track, it takes a lot of time to 'rubber in,' as the surface tends to be greasy and dirty from track visitors. This means that the track is usually in its best condition on the final lap of the race.

More info on Albert Park here

RACE 2 = MALAYSIA

Season 1 Winner = Bannbino
Season 2 Winner = Bannbino
Season 3 Winner = Bannbino

A permanent fixture on the calendar since 1999, the Sepang International Circuit has proven to be that rarest of thing: a well-liked creation of F1's omnipresent and much-maligned designer Hermann Tilke.

A sweeping, fast-speed circuit, it is actually built on a 260-hectare swamp. Yet what sounds like a misfortune has, over the course of time, become a boon: with naturally-made bumps starting to emerge on the track, the circuit has gained a welcome unpredictability compared to the 'snooker-table surfaces' elsewhere.

Another natural advantage boosting the circuit's reputation and the racing on view tends to be Malaysia's predictably unpredictable climate - expect blisteringly hot sunshine one minute and a tropical monsoon the next. Cue the entertainment of a mad scramble in the pits as teams and drivers try to determine what type of tyre to use.

In any case - or indeed condition - the Sepang circuit presents a difficult balancing act for the teams to master.

Although its characteristic fast-flowing corners demand downforce - with precious tenths to be gained through the long turn three, the left, right flicks of turns five and six and the adverse-cambered turn 13 - a set-up balance must be struck between adding downforce and facilitating top-end speed.

The pit-straight leading into the turn one hairpin, for illustration, is almost a thousand metres long. Any team or driver failing to respect that obvious overtaking opportunity when determining their set-up will, inevitably, be made to pay during the grand prix.

Can Bannbino make it 4 wins here?

More info Malaysia circuit guide here

Good luck to all and see you on the grid