Evolution Racing Team driver Robert Gibbs features on the bubble heading into the penultimate round of the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup round at Road America on the 25th of October.

A season of many highs and lows, Gibbs will look make the most of the final 2 rounds of 2023 with solid results to secure his automatic transfer spot for the 2024 season.

We sat down for a chat with Robert Gibbs as he prepares for Road America in little under a weeks time.

R: Robert, it’s been a baptism of fire for you in the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup. How have you found your season to date to be & have you performed as you’ve expected?

RG: My season so far has been very much an up and down one, started the season very poorly in the first 2 rounds not cracking into the top 20 at all. Have turned it around somewhat from Spa onwards, getting into the top 20 a couple of times and top 10 at Watkins which is where i think my true pace would put me. I think when i've stayed out of trouble my results have been in the ball park of what i was expecting going into the season but getting caught up in other people's mess has cost me quite a bit.

R: This season, you’ve shown pace capable of placing you at the front of the field on many occasions. How do you think you need to go about your racing to achieve consistency each and every week, enabling you to transition into a championship contender in the future?

RG: My biggest issue this season has been my lack of form in qualifying, constantly putting myself further back than i should be. This is probably then leading to pushing a bit too hard in certain moments and making mistakes. If i can get my head screwed on properly for qualifying and put myself up the front from the get-go, then the race results should follow, evidence being my results at Watkins Glen.

R: Evolution Racing Team have proven to be a major player in your development in the Supercars arena. Since your arrival to the team in 2022, it’s been clear that you have improved leaps and bounds in this discipline of racing. How have they contributed to your success, and why do you think they are so good at developing and improving drivers like yourself?

RG: Joining ERT has turned out to be a really great decision. The support from the team has been second to none since joining and the caliber of drivers that im now associated with is immensely talented. i think this just by itself is a large part as to why so many good drivers come out of ERT. Being able to compare data and setups with some of the fastest guys in supercars has been another huge aspect as to my own improvement as it gives you a completely different viewpoint as to what you might be doing right or wrong, and i think that for someone like myself, who is only 12 months or so into the supercars arena, this has been key.

R: Lastly, as you find yourself sitting on the bubble heading into the penultimate round at Road America, does it change how you approach the final 2 races?

RG: For me personally the approach doesn't change from the rest of the season. I'm still aiming to be as far up the front as possible and my position in the standings should then take care of itself. As always the goal is to win, which was my goal from the start of the season, but i think at this stage i would be happy with a couple of top 10's to finish the year. The remaining tracks are both ones that i enjoy and do well at so i see this as good opportunity to end the season on a high.

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James Scott & Shane Van Gisbergen have won the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup Bathurst 1000 for 2023 holding off the hard charging TTR duo of Madison Down & Brady Meyers in the dying stages.

Racing got underway at Mount Panorama Bathurst at 9am AEST with pole sitter James Scott leading the field to turn one followed by Andrew Gilliam & Ethan Warren. The field managed to file through the opening sequence of corners without issue, as drivers focused on finding their rhythm early, settling into the opening stint of the race.

Alexander Bird found himself under pressure early, tasked with starting Josh Anderson’s Trans Tasman Racing #51 entry. Bird found himself amongst the thick of the action, sliding to 7th before the beginning of lap 4, then re gaining his composure, before putting up an excellent fight against some highly rated primary drivers.

James Scott would continue to set the pace at the front of the pack, with Andrew Gilliam well and truely in tow, just 1 second from the lead. Ethan Warren continued to bring up the tail of the podium, putting in some solid times in Brady Meyers #22 Trans Tasman Racing commodore.

Down the field, Ric Kuznetsov was making headway early, charging his 9ine 5ive SimSports Commodore through the pack after missing the grid set procedure earlier in the morning. Kuznetsov would go on to make up a staggering 17 positions in the opening 11 laps, in what undoubtedly was one of the great opening Bathurst stints in series history.

Ric Kuznetsov was making headway early

Calm would only remain for a further few laps, with the first Safety Car intervention coming on lap 16 for the stranded car of Michael Healey. Partnering with Richard Hamstead, Healy found himself in trouble at the exit of the dipper, loosing control and firing into the fence as a result. Although still operational, the #28 was wedged in the fence, unable to get out. Drivers would take this first Safety Car period to make the first of their pit stops, many taking this opportunity to complete their first driver swaps of the day also. Winning the race off pit road, James Golding would strap into the #201 Altus Esports entry for the first time, with Brady Meyers & Shane Van Gisbergen both also taking the reins of their respective vehicles.

Green flag racing would resume on lap 20, with Golding leading the field into turn 1. Brady Meyers didn’t waste any time making his dash for the lead, quickly offloading Golding into turn 2, followed by Van Gisbergen who made his way past into 2nd before the completion of the 20th lap of the race.

Drivers again were tasked with finding their rhythm’s as teams headed closer to the middle portion of the race. Meyers lead Van Gisbergen followed by Madison Down, Dylan Rudd, Dylan O’Shea, Ethan Grigg-Gault, Wayne Bourke, Harley Haber, Tom Freer & Josh Anderson who rounded out the top ten after the completion of the 35th lap.

Michael Healey made heavy contact resulting in an early safety car

It wouldn’t take long for the Safety Car to be called upon again, Coby Jones detonating an engine in the chase on lap 40, putting an end to both his & Jordan Ross’ day. Many again took this as an opportunity for a driver change, as team’s began funnelling into the lane for their second unscheduled pit stop of the day. Ethan Warren would jump back into the #22, winning the race out of pit lane ahead of James Scott & Corey Shepherd.

Warren would resume in the lead on lap 42, with Scott & Shepherd behind.

It didn’t take long for Chaos to ensue behind in the mid pack, Joshua Thomas finding himself rotated on the exit of the chase on lap 45, involved in an untimely incident with Alexander Bird in the #51 entry. Bird would be penalised for the infringement, later serving his penalty.

Ethan Warren continued to impress at the front, leading the train of cars as teams started to approach the half way point of the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup Bathurst 1000. James Scott continued to sit 2nd with Corey Shepherd in a comfortable 3rd, onboard the championship leading car he was sharing with Madison Down.

Coby Jones blows an engine and the day is over for #143

Corey Macfarlane was also a driver showing signs of form, similar to the form he displayed at Sandown onboard the #19, keeping himself in touch with the lead along with Stablemate Dylan Rudd, both putting on an excellent display for 9ine 5ive SimSports.

Again drivers would see the return of the Logitech G Safety Car on lap 57. This time though, many opted to keep their non primary drivers in the car, with the hope of clearing the 54 lap minimum required. Fuel and tyres for most, it would be Corey Shepherd cycling to the front with an excellent pit stop, jumping from third position. Warren would drop into second followed by Shane Van Gisbergen in 3rd, taking over from James Scott.

Leading the field to green on lap 60, Corey Shepherd would set about maintaining the lead for Madison Down, working well with Ethan Warren behind to stay in front of Van Gisbergen.

Andrew Gilliam meanwhile was back on the move onboard the #201 Altus Australia entry, lifting himself back up through the order, reaching the top 10 by lap 73. Although back on the march, Gilliam would find himself hit with a 15 second penalty moments later, for contact on lap 69 with the Moloney/Mugford entry entering the chase. With work still to do, Gilliam kept his eyes forward, picking off as many cars as he could before having to serve his penalty.

Contact from Andrew Gilliam sees the #29 have a huge moment at the chase

Lap 78 would prove to be critical, with the #269 Synergy Sim Racing Machine of Jamie McKnight bringing out caution number 4 of the day. Many took the chance to dive in for fresh fuel & tyres, with teams forced to keep their drivers in for another stint due to drive time requirements.

Out of sync Glen Postlethwaite would lead the field back to green on lap 80, quickly being swallowed up by both Ethan Warren & Shane Van Gisbergen. The restart wasn’t without drama, Richie Stanaway finding contact with the rear of the #201 Altus Esports entry of James Golding, causing damage to multiple cars in the process. Uncharacteristic for Stanaway, he’d be forced to serve a drive through penalty for the infringement.

Pressure was boiling at the front of the field, with a slight mistake for Ethan Warren opening the door for Van Gisbergen to attack on lap 90. With the gap down to less than a second, spectators were settling in for the epic showdown to come. The move for the lead would come on lap 102, with Van Gisbergen completing the pass on Warren into Griffins Bend. Taking the lead of the race with 59 laps remaining.

Warren responded to this move laps later, filing into the lane to hand his car over to Brady Meyers. Van Gisbergen followed suit on lap 105, followed by Corey Shepherd. A blistering Outlap from Brady Meyers saw the #22 Trans Tasman Racing driver re take the effective lead, with James Scott re joining the circuit in second. Dylan Rudd would sit third after pit lane transitions, followed by Madison Down & Marcello Rivera rounding out the top 5.

Racing intensified at the front on lap 109, James Scott surprising Brady Meyers with a lunge at Griffins Bend, bringing Dylan Rudd back into the fight heading towards the cutting. Brady would hang strong, re establishing track position behind James Scott, setting about continuing the fight for the race lead. Madison Down managed to make a move on Rudd stick a lap later, moving himself into third position behind Meyers.

Meyers again would bid for the lead on lap 112, replicating James Scott’s move from earlier, plunging his #22 Commodore down the inside at Griffins, also allowing Down to slip through into second, displacing Scott on the run to the cutting. Meyers set about building the gap behind, with Down on the other hand choosing to return the favour to Scott, backing the #088 up, saving some fuel in front. This strategy working perfectly, Meyers was able to focus on maintaining his lead, eventually building a gap up to four seconds total.

The lead though wouldn’t eventuate for Meyers, with a late race caution being called on lap 124 with Drivers opting to pit for fuel and tyres. Meyers would win the race off pit road, followed by Trans Tasman Racing stablemate Down, with Scott filing into 3rd position for the restart. Rudd & Grigg-Gault made up the top 5.

James Scott on a charge late in the race

Pushing towards the closing stages, it was clear it would be a shootout between the front 3 cars. Scott chipped away at Meyers, all while dragging Down along for the ride. Closing to the bar of Meyers on lap 144, Scott would throw a high risk move heading into Murray’s corner, diving down the inside of Meyers. Contact was made between the pair, Brady finding himself dislodged at the apex and fed out wide. This allowed Madison Down through to second, beginning his pursuit of the #088 Synergy Sim Racing Commodore.

With final pit stops being made in the closing segments of the race, all three leaders found themselves within a second of one another heading into the final laps of the race, Scott would lead, with Meyers jumping to second after the final stop, followed by Madison Down. It was clear, nobody was willing to back down in their pursuits of Australia’s greatest Sim Race.

Lap 150 provided heart stopping entertainment, Meyers throwing it all on the line in the chase, going for a chance move on race leader James Scott, contact between the pair was made in the chase, Scott finding himself out of control on entry to the braking Zone. Amazingly, Scott was able to re gain control, only to shoot off the circuit and through the grass. Somehow avoiding a massive incident, He was able to rejoin the circuit ahead of Meyers, maintaining the race lead. Down managed to get past Meyers on lap 155, now setting his sights on chasing down a Bathurst 1000 crown.

Heart stopping contact between Meyers and Scott at the chase

James Scott first to the flag after 161 laps

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Ethan Grigg-Gault will be preparing to do battle as he heads to Bathurst on Sunday with the Evolution Racing Team, still well and truely in the hunt for the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup title.

Grigg- Gault’s form has been nothing short of impressive in 2023. 3 podiums along with pure consistency finds the Victorian in sight of the championship lead, just 67 points adrift.

With a bank of 400 points still available at Bathurst, this title fight is well and truely alive. And Ethan Grigg-Gault, is in for the fight.

We sat down with Evolution Racing Team’s Ethan Grigg-Gault to talk about all things racing, his title battle, Bathurst success & more.

Reporter: Your still well and truely in the battle for the championship, only 67 points from the lead. What for you personally, will be the key to maintaining your championship challenge across not only Bathurst, but the final few rounds following?

Ethan: I think the most important thing at the moment is to stay focused. We've had a really good run this year, apart from a couple of the early rounds. But just staying on top of my testing routine and maintaining the run of form we've been having. Hopefully we can close in on the championship through Bathurst, but it'll definetly be a tough job clawing back points from the likes of Madison Down and James Scott. There's also a posibility I wont be able to make the round at Road Amercia as i'll be driving to Perth for the Excel Nationals that week, which is a bit of a shame after the year we've had, but there's not much you can do about date clashes.

Reporter : You’ve tasted success in multiple series around Mount Panorama Bathurst, including a podium in last years Bathurst 1000 event alongside Bradley Vaughn. What are your thoughts & feelings heading into this years event alongside the experienced Ian Ford? Do you think you both could prove to be a winning combination?

Ethan: I think both me and Fordy will head in with a lot of confidence. It's a track that both of us seem to click with and we've always had really good results there. But Bathurst always throws up its own challenges through the race. If we can keep the car clean throughout the day and really get on top of the setup, I definetly think we are a genuine contender for sure.

Reporter: Vs 2022, this year has proven to be a return to form for yourself in the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup. What do you think has been the difference for yourself in 2023 that has allowed you to consistently be in contention for wins and now of course the championship?

Ethan: I made quite a few changes to my sim in the off season. I had a very old Direct Drive base that was made before simucube was even a thing, so I think that may of been holding me back a little bit. Decided to bite the bullet and upgrade to a Simucube 2, and to be fair, it doesnt feel a whole lot different, but small improvements especially at this level can be very beneficial.

But I would say the biggest factor would be car setup. I was still stuck to the old way of building setups that I had gotten used to during the VF and FG era, and I hadnt really done much work with this car prior. We started the year pretty much the same as last year. We we're in the back half of the top 10 at Sebring, but were still lacking car pace during the race, and then I built what I thought was a good setup at Phillip island only to get completely obliterated in the race.

After that, Brad Ryan and I started working out what the car actually wants to be fast, and not my previous mentallity of what should be fast. And ever since then we've been pretty damn close to the ballpark most of the time. Still a bit of work in the setup and my own driving itself, but what we've been able to manage this year has been really promising.

One of the greatest drivers Australian Sim Racing has seen, there is no doubting Ethan will perform in this years edition of the Bathurst 1000. Can Ethan get the job done at Bathurst & chase down the championship lead?

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Mount Panorama Bathurst will set the scene for round 9 of the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup, with drivers set to tackle the 6.213 kilometre circuit this coming Sunday, the 1st of October.

This week, 9ine 5ive SimSports Co driver Griffin Gardiner takes us for a look through the Mount Panorama Circuit, explaining the key to maximising performance around the difficult & demanding race track.

Griffin Gardiner’s “5 key points” presented by Panta Racing Fuels Australia.

Saturday

Saturday Qualifying at Bathurst is one of the biggest moments of the year. With 1000km the next day it can seem insignificant at times but with multiple mid pack incidents being common in the first part of the race, qualifying at the front is important.

Strategy

After the green flag drops, strategy will immediately come into play, with teams trying to execute their plans around safety cars and other teams. Late race safety cars are expected at Bathurst so teams will have to decide whether track position or fresh rubber with 15 to go is superior.

Co Drivers

As seen at Sandown, having a fast and consistent teammate is a big advantage. Consistency being the more important factor for bathurst, with Co Drivers generally expected to start the race and follow up in the middle part of the 1000km. Keeping it clean and maintaining position is a minimum standard for the Co Drivers but a few extra spots towards the front early on could make all the difference by lap 161.

Across the Top

The top of the hill at Bathurst is the most difficult section of the track and also happens to be the setup for overtakes at forest elbow, down conrod and into the chase. Drivers will be squeezing every hundredth of pace out of their cars whilst trying to stay off the fence, ultimately setting up passes or making time in clean air. This section is the key at Bathurst.

Pace

With a 161 lap race, a lot can happen, safety cars, pitstop errors, technical issues etc. The one thing in control of the teams and drivers, is pace. No matter how clean and mistake free you are all day, being at the front of the pack with 15 to go, with a car that has pace, will be the winning formula.

Which of these 5 key points do you think is the most important?

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