As the first endurance round of the Trueforce Cup component within the broader Logitech G Pro Invitational Series, anticipation was sky-high. The 500-kilometre challenge promised strategy, stamina, and split-second precision — and it delivered on every front.

The Stage - Phillip Island at Its Best

Few circuits test drivers like Phillip Island. Its high-speed corners, sweeping undulations, and notoriously abrasive surface create the ultimate proving ground for driver skill and team coordination. Add in a 500 kilometre distance, driver swaps, and tyre strategy, and you have the makings of a true endurance classic. With weather conditions stable and track temperatures moderate, the day was perfectly set for a clean but fiercely competitive race.

The grid featured 41 starters, each representing the cream of Australia’s sim-racing crop. While many teams brought experience and pedigree, others sought to make their mark in what has quickly become one of the most competitive esports racing series in the world.

Just .047 covered the top four on the grid, and amazing qualifying session where just 8 tenths covered the entire field.

From the time the lights went out, all eyes were on the formidable combination of Jarrad Filsell and Brodie Kosteki — a duo many pegged as pre-race favourites. Starting second on the grid, their pace was immediately evident. Kostekis opening stint was surgical: consistent, aggressive when needed, and perfectly measured in traffic. However, fortune is a fickle companion in endurance racing. An unfortunately timed safety car midway through the race would undo much of their hard work.

The caution bunched up the field just as the team were one lap short of a driver swap they lost critical track position. The setback forced the team to fight back through heavy traffic, showcasing both drivers’ resilience. Despite the setback the Filsell–Kosteki duo represented Lobs Esports 94 embodied redemption to drive through the top quarter of the field to take a demanding win.

Josh Anderson and Jake Burton had a consistent night throughout with their experience and raw speed. Starting third on the grid in an incredibly tight qualifying the TTR #36

Their success hinged on two key factors: consistent lap-times and flawless execution during pit sequences. Anderson’s opening stint was a masterclass in patience. Rather than forcing moves early, he focused on conserving tyres and maximising exit speed through the Island’s high-load corners. Once the first pit cycle began, the team’s strategy came alive. By perfectly timing their driver change and refuelling window, they gained multiple positions.

In the final stages, with less than ten laps remaining, the #94 machine found itself locked in a tense duel for the win.

The Return of a Veteran: Hamstead and Moloney on the Podium

Another major storyline came from the Trans Tasman camp, where Richard Hamstead made a long-awaited return. Partnered once again with long-time teammate Jake Moloney, the pair reminded everyone why they’ve been perennial contenders in top-tier sim racing. Their combination of experience and consistency paid dividends throughout the race.

Hamstead’s early stint was steady and precise, maintaining track position while avoiding the early-race chaos that claimed minor victims deeper in the pack. Moloney’s middle-race pace kept them within striking distance of the podium, and when strategy cycles shuffled the order late in the race, the TTR duo capitalised. Though unable to challenge for victory, their third-place finish marked a triumphant return to form and re-established their team as a force in the championship’s endurance rounds.

Drive of the Day: The TTR #22 Miracle Run

Every endurance race has its fairy-tale comeback, and at Phillip Island, it belonged to the TTR #22 — driven by Brady Meyers and Rehan Leyange. A mechanical issue during qualifying left them stranded in 39th position on the grid, a near-impossible starting point on a circuit where overtaking opportunities are notoriously limited.

Undeterred, the duo executed a near-perfect recovery. Meyers launched the charge with a blistering first stint, carving through the field with calculated aggression. Each move was decisive, each lap an exercise in controlled speed. Once Liyanage took over, strategy became the weapon. Running slightly longer stints to avoid mid-pack traffic, they leapfrogged competitors as the race unfolded. Their combination of raw pace and tactical brilliance delivered an astonishing 4th-place finish — a drive hailed by commentators and fans alike as one of the best performances in series history.

The endurance format also offered a glimpse of the next generation of talent, none more impressive than Ryan O’Sullivan. Partnering with Ethan Grigg Gault in the Evolution Racing Team #7, O’Sullivan’s Pro-series debut was remarkable. Displaying maturity well beyond his experience, he maintained composure under pressure and delivered consistently competitive lap-times against far more seasoned competitors.

Grigg Gault’s leadership helped guide the team through the race’s more complex phases, but O’Sullivan’s poise was the story. Together, they secured a strong 5th-place finish — a result that bodes well for Evolution Racing Team’s future in the Trueforce Cup

The Eclipse Team #17, led by Zach Rattray White, stunned the paddock by claiming a shock pole position in qualifying. Their pace over a single lap was extraordinary, proving that raw speed wasn’t confined to the established giants. However, in endurance racing, fortune can be cruel. When the safety car was deployed, the #17 found itself caught on the wrong side of the split — a situation that cost them dearly in track position.

Despite the setback, Rattray White drove with admirable composure. Rather than overdriving to recover lost ground, he managed tyres and maintained consistent pace, ultimately salvaging a well-earned 8th-place finish. While not the result they had hoped for, the performance underlined the team’s potential and marked them as ones to watch in future rounds.

A remarkable feature of this year’s Phillip Island round was the near-flawless reliability across the 41-car grid. Only a single entry — the Vermillion #458 — failed to see the chequered flag. Such mechanical and mental durability speaks volumes about the level of professionalism and preparation in the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series. In a 500-kilometre race, the margin between success and heartbreak is razor-thin, and to have 40 cars finish was a testament to the collective discipline of the field.

With yet another win, Jarrad Filsell still leaves Phillip Island with his championship lead intact — and indeed extended. Thanks to consistent scoring and the misfortunes of others, he now sits comfortably ahead of teammate Andrew Gilliam, whose Lobs Esports #201 entry, co-driven by Richie Stanaway, came home in 7th. With three rounds remaining, Filsell’s path to the championship looks strong, though the unpredictability of endurance racing ensures nothing is guaranteed.

The series now shifts focus to Sandown Raceway for Round 10 — the second leg of the Trueforce Cup. Known for its long straights, heavy braking zones, and limited overtaking areas, Sandown will present a different challenge altogether. Teams will need to adapt their setups for the circuit’s long straights and bumpy surface, while managing tyre wear and pit-stop timing with even greater precision.

Expect the rivalry between Lobs Esports and TTR to intensify as the championship battle heats up. With Filsell and Kosteki eager to maintain their Phillip Island form, and Anderson and Burton now going into the round with confidence, the stage is set for another unforgettable round.

Round 1 of the Logitech G Trueforce Enduro Cup and Round 9 of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series was everything sim-racing fans could hope for: unpredictable, strategic, and relentlessly competitive. Phillip Island once again proved why it’s revered as one of the world’s greatest circuits, and the drivers delivered a showcase of skill and endurance befitting that reputation.

From the emotional comeback of Hamstead, to the heroic charge of TTR #22, to the nail-biting finish that saw Lobs Esports 94 clinch victory by less than a second, the race encapsulated everything that makes virtual motorsport so compelling. The Trueforce Cup has set a high bar in its opening round, and if Phillip Island was any indication, the best may be yet to come.

Catch all the live action as the series continues at Sandown on October 31st, where the championship fight will enter its decisive phase.