Classics Round 13: Bugs in Mexico City

Classics Series – Round 8: The Battle of the Bugs

Mexico brought the Classics back down to earth — literally — as Shane and Tiara traded in their sleek Gatsby Mk1s for a pair of humble yet mischievous 1966 Volkswagen Beetles. Identical in every way but color, the cars promised a return to simplicity and driver finesse. What followed was anything but calm.

From the very first lap, tension was high. Tiara, frustrated after a messy start, pushed too hard to recover, her impatience getting the better of her on the long front straight. A poorly timed brake check on Shane set the tone — and fate wasted no time responding. Just six corners later, karma struck back as she looped the car in the tight infield, spinning out and ceding the lead she had fought so fiercely to protect.

From there, Shane settled into one of his most disciplined drives of the season. Lap after lap, his 1966 Bug ran flawlessly — steady, consistent, and smooth through the rhythm of the Mexico circuit. His 7.745 best lap stood unmatched as he built a commanding lead that only grew as the minutes passed. Tiara’s recovery was spirited but ragged; even as she found pace late in the race, her 8.213 best and 8-lap deficit told the story.

After 71 laps of mechanical harmony, Shane crossed the line victorious, further extending his advantage in the Classics standings. The round proved that even in the simplest machinery, control and composure win out over emotion and aggression.

Next stop: Brazil, where the Classics will take a wild detour into history’s fastest lane — a surprise F1 showdown between Shane and Tiara in open-wheel machinery.

Shane now leads 8–5 in Classics victories