Motorsport: Flames and Lames Tue Jul 19

Nick Cassidy in action. Photo / Supplied

Flames

Nick Cassidy
The Kiwi Formula 3 driver claimed a maiden series win in the second of three races held at Circuit Park Zandvoort near Amsterdam over the weekend. The former Toyota Racing Series star has had and up and down season so far in Europe but his race win and two second place finishes in the Netherlands has catapulted him up to fourth in the championship. He opened the season with an impressive showing in France but has been dogged by bad luck since. His climb up the ladder is timely though with just four rounds and 12 races left in the season.

Marc Marquez
The MotoGP championship leader extended the gap between himself and the chasing pack with victory at the Germany Grand Prix over the weekend. The Honda rider has completely dominated the German round of the world championship - greeting the chequered flag there on seven consecutive years across different categories. His mid-race tyre gamble paid off as the Spaniard opened up a 48 point gap atop the standings.

Will Power
The Australian IndyCar driver got a massive break of luck when he ducked into the pits just prior to a safety car being deployed late in Monday's race in Toronto. While many of his rivals, who were in front of the Team Penske driver at the time, were forced to wait behind the safety car, Power was able to complete his stop and join on the back of the field all while under yellow. As the rest of the field was forced to take a final stop Power moved to the front of the standings and was able to hold on for an unlikely victory.

Lames

Scott Dixon
The Kiwi's luck just doesn't seem to with him this season. Dixon looked certain for victory in Monday's race on the streets of Toronto. The defending series champ dominated qualifying and looked in complete control of the race throughout until he was caught out by an ill-timed safety car during the final round of pit stops. Dixon was forced to pit under yellow and relinquished his lead and track position to those that had managed to stop just prior to the safety car being deployed. He salvaged eighth to remain in fourth in the standings but will be ruing what might have been.

Jorge Lorenzo
Spaniard Lorenzo was forced to watch championship rival and countryman Marquez race off to win the Germany Grand Prix and extend his championship lead to 48 points as the Yamaha rider could only manage 15th. Lorenzo struggled all weekend in the often wet conditions and admitted himself that he knew he was never going to be in the fight for a win. After closing the gap to Marquez in recent rounds, Lorenzo has seen the gap open up again with a poor weekend.

Erebus Motorsport
Fresh off an impressive showing from lead driver David Reynolds in Townsville Erebus Motorsport have found themselves in the headlines again for all the wrong reasons. Driver Aaren Russell and major sponsor Fitness Plus have walked away from the organisation. Russell, who essentially leased the Racing Entitlements Contract from Erebus, paid all the costs for his drive in the series. But a breakdown in the relationship saw the 24-year-old walk away from the deal and his major sponsor Fitness Plus followed suit. Erebus must find a replacement driver and a willing sponsor ahead of this weekend's round at Ipswich otherwise they face a fine of $300,000.