Round 7 of the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup took to the streets of Detroit on Wednesday night for two back to back sprint races around the challenging circuit.

Qualifying around the concrete canyon proved to deliver a range of surprising results, mixing the 40 car strong field up and down the order.

In the early stages of the 20 minute all in qualifying session, it would be Synergy Sim Racing’s Jarrad Filsell on top of the time charts early, setting the pace ahead of Trans Tasman Racing’s Brady Meyers. Pursuit Sim Racing’s Andrew Gilliam would later join the party in the 10th minute of qualifying, finding improvements from his first run to jolt nip the order into second place, only a mere .008 away from the current pole time set by Jarrad Filsell.

Qualifying intensified with roughly 5 minutes to go, as drivers started to turn up the wick and deliver punches at the top of the order. Gilliam again would go on to improve, momentarily eclipsing the time of Filsell to sit on provisional pole, before being jumped by Championship leader James Scott only seconds later. It was looking like Scott would hold onto pole position, as drivers had maximised the track conditions at play, until Brady Meyers out of nowhere stole the show with a blistering lap in the dying stages of the session. Meyers time would go unmatched, securing pole position for round 7 of the championship. James Scott hung on to claim second in qualifying, followed by Gilliam, Filsell & Madison Down rounding out the top 5.

James Scott and Andrew Gilliam side by side

Race 1

As race 1 got underway, Brady Meyers would convert from pole position to lead the field through the opening sequence of corners on the run down to turn 3 with James Scott & Andrew Gilliam following behind. Jordan Ross was the only real mover in the lead pack on lap 1, making an early move on Evolution Racing Team’s Ethan Grigg-Gault out of turn 2, promoting himself into the top 6 in the early stages as the lead train looked to settle into a comfortable rhythm.

As Brady Meyers lead the way, it didn’t take long for drama to brew in the mid field, with lap 2 already sparking controversy on the exit of turn 7. The #47 of Kurt Stenberg found himself off line on the exit the corner, making contact with the concrete barrier lining the edge of the circuit. Evolution Racing Team’s Bailey Fridd was left with no escape, making contact with the ailing Trans Tasman Racing car of Stenberg on the run into turn 8. The incident sparked a flurry of chaos, with multiple cars being caught out in the incident.

Back at the front, Meyers continued to lead the field. The top 5 managed to form a breakaway pack ahead of Jordan Ross in 6th, who was being put under immense pressure by Ethan Grigg-Gault. Grigg-Gault made his move into turn 3 on lap 4, shuffling the #143 of Ross back to 7th place. Championship contender Jake Burton was quick to pounce also, as he attacked on the run into turn 4. Slight contact between the two saw the #8 Trans Tasman Racing car out of control through turn 4, ultimately gathering it up with little time loss. For Ross on the other hand, this sequence of racing saw the #143 fall outside the top 10 in this stage of the race.

Kurt Stenberg into the wall and collecting Bailey Fridd

James Scott would be the first driver to file into pit lane for his compulsory pit stop in race 1 on the 13th lap with teammate Jarrad Filsell in tow. Trans Tasman Racing’s Madison Down followed suit, with Josh Anderson, Jake Burton, Jobe Stewart & Jordan Ross all choosing to make their first stops.

Brady Meyers went the alternative route, opting to stay out leading the way ahead of Andrew Gilliam. This stop would prove critical for Meyers on lap 14, who found himself rejoining the circuit right behind James Scott on the run down to the infamous turn 3. Scott would push his luck however into turn 3, moving under brakes in reaction to Meyers attempted pass. The battle continued into turn 4, Meyers coming off second best after contact with the outside wall dropping the #22 of Meyers back down into 4th position. James Scott would later be penalised for his actions, resulting in a 5 second penalty to be served post race.

The winner out of all this though would be Pursuit Racings Andrew Gilliam, who made ground on the leaders in his pit stop. Gilliam promoted himself to second though the scuffle between Scott & Meyers, before applying the blow torch to the back of James Scott in the closing laps. Gilliam ultimately wasn’t under pressure to make the move due to Scott’s unserved 5 second penalty, but produced a pass down at turn 7 to take command of the race on lap 24.

Not looking back, Gilliam would go on to produce his first race win in the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup, leading home Jarrad Filsell & Madison Down who rounded out the race 1 podium.

Andrew Gilliam en-route to his maiden victory

Race 2

Race 2 saw Andrew Gilliam convert from his pole position grid box, executing the perfect launch to lead the field into turn 1 & 2. As the field filed through, Marcelo Rivera & Brady Meyers made contact on the exit of turn 2, finding the wall & setting off a chain reaction. A number of front running cars found themselves involved in the turmoil, putting an end to their respective nights and bringing out the first caution of the round.

Carnage on the opening lap of Race 2

The Logitech G Aston Martin Safety Car leads the field

This ruling would see those who opted to transit the lane forced to make a second stop over the 28 lap event. Madison Down was a winner from this, vaulting to the lead under caution after making the correct call. This would also see Ethan Grigg-Gault, Josh Anderson, Brady Meyers & Adam Briggs all promoted into the top 5 ahead of the race restart.

Madison Down lead the field back to green flag racing on lap 4, commanding the race on the run through turns 1 & 2. Drivers such as James Scott, Jake Burton & Jarrad Filsell all were advancing their way through the field until turn 7, which saw yet another multi car pileup as a result of contact between Filsell and the turn 7 concrete barrier. Contact with the barrier forced Filsell back across the circuit into the #19 of Dylan O’Shea, with Jake Burton also being a contributor to the incident. This would ultimately put an end to Jake Burton’s night, as well as denting his 2023 championship campaign.

A huge incident involving Filsell, Burton, O'Shea and more

Madison Down meanwhile was out front controlling the pack, withstanding the pressure that Ethan Grigg-Gault was applying the the rear bar of the #77 TTR commodore. Lap 13 would see the safety car called for the second time in race 2, many of the lead cars choosing to transit the line to complete their pit stops for the night. With a cleansed field, Down would again lead the field to green, controlling the pace of the cars behind.

Jarrad Filsell’s night went from bad to worse, again being caught in controversy over a move on Matthew Bowler on lap 15. Filsell was penalised for his conduct with a drive through penalty. Ending what started as a promising night.

A wounded Filsell makes contact with Matt Bowler of ERT

Racing at the front of the field quietly died down in the closing laps, Madison Down taking full control in the back half of the race over Ethan Grigg-Gault ultimately crossing the line on lap 28 to claim the checkered flag for the 2nd time in his 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup campaign. Ethan Grigg-Gault continues his consistent streak, claiming yet another podium in second, followed by Josh Anderson, securing his first podium of the 2023 season. Jack Boyd would bring home 4th, followed by Briggs, Gilliam, Veld, Scott, Meyers & Thomas Freeman rounding out the top 10 for race 2 of the evening.

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The Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup continues to March towards the 2023 endurance cup beginning In September. But first, drivers tackle Belle Isle & the super sprint format.

This week, Evolution Racing Team’s Robert Gibbs takes us through the key points to one of the most challenging circuits available on the iRacing service.

Currently 18th in the 2023 standings, Gibbs is one of the drivers currently on the rise within the competitive Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup. Recent results have shown the amount of skill Gibbs possess, finishes such as 7th at Watkins Glen a little over month ago just a glimpse of what this talented driver can achieve.

Without further ado, Robert Gibbs key points for Belle Isle presented by Panta Racing Fuels.

Qualifying

Getting as far up the grid as possible to avoid the mayhem of the midpack off the line.

Track position

Being a street course passing will be more of a challenge and defending will be easier, being in front early will be a big benefit.

Stay off the walls

Pretty self explanatory, stay off the walls and don't damage the car.

Strategy

Ties in to track position, make sure you don't shoot yourself in the foot as it will be tricky to get the spots back.

Car setup

Having a setup that rides the bumps well will make your day all the more easier.

Stay up to date with all the latest @https://supercarsproinvitational.com.au
 

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Round 7 of the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup takes us back to the USA for another thrilling ride around the Belle Isle park circuit.

The temporary street circuit, built on the Detroit River, Belle Isle, has hosted numerous racing series since opening for the first time in 1992. Series such as the IMSA sportscar championship & Indycar series have regularly featured on the 2.35 mile, 13-turn circuit through the years.

located on the picturesque island minutes from downtown Detroit, The digital replica created by iRacing of the 2.35 mile ( 3.782km) racing precinct highlights the surrounding landscape, most notably turns 9 through 10, featuring the all famous James Scott Memorial Fountain.

The racing surface at Belle Isle has a relatively unique layout, featuring a smooth concrete surface, along with new and old asphalt making up the 13 turn precinct. The multiple surface types challenges drivers as they discover where they can push the limits, push to hard & it’s easy to find one of the many concrete barriers that line the circuit.

Multiple surface types challenges drivers

Returning to Belle Isle for the first time since November 2022, drivers are set to tackle the 2.35 mile ( 3.782km) circuit on Wednesday the 9th of August for 2 x 28 lap sprint races featuring a compulsory pit stop in each race.

The grid will be determined by a 20 minute qualifying session, with progressive grids setting the grid for the second race of the evening.

Join us on the Australian Sim Racing Group YouTube channel from 7:30pm on the 9th of August to catch all the action from Round 7 of the Motorsports Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup at Belle Isle. Who will reign supreme?

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Shawn McNamara finds himself as the Turn In Race Apparel driver “on the bubble” heading into round 7 of the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup round at Belle Isle on the 9th of August.

2023 has been a tale of ups & downs for Shawn, but the pace of the 9ine 5ive SimSports owner driver has been evident.

An average finish of 22.5 sits Shawn directly on the cut line as we approach a crucial point of the season, all his efforts now turning to achieving a great result at Belle isle to help further his championship campaign.

We spent some time with Shawn earlier in the week to discuss his season so far, how he plans to improve in the back half of 2023 & what he can achieve with the 9ine 5ive SimSports team behind him.

R: Shawn, you’re currently the driver “On the bubble” in 20th position as we approach round 7 of the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup. Can you give us a quick overview of your season to date and how you think you’ve performed?

SM: It’s Been an average season to date, race pace has been good, but in such a strong field qualifying is everything and I just haven’t performed when it counts. Sebring started ok, Phillip Island was a real missed opportunity for me, and Spa being my bogey track showed with my worst result. Red Bull Ring was more a show of what I can do with a P10 in qualifying, but again small mistakes in the race cost me a few spots there in the race. Every position is critical when you are on the bubble and really can’t afford to make those mistakes.

R: For everyone reading, what does your preparation before a race weekend look like? Does your championship position change the way you prepare?

SM: Like everyone, laps, laps, and laps. As a team we spend a lot of time doing what we can to get the setup in the window early. That gives us a chance to turn bulk race laps and get comfortable. Being apart of a team that has a decent number of drivers, we can get a field together to really focus on genuine race laps. Being the team owner, I also spend a lot of time making sure the drivers are supported, spotters have all the information they need, and we are prepared as well as we can be.

R: As you currently sit 20th in the standings, what do you think is the key to improving your championship position over the next few rounds? Will the endurance season play a major role in charging back up the championship order?

SM: 100% Qualifying stronger! From there it’s about race management. There are some quick guys behind me in the championship standing and they will continue to climb the ladder. With “draft” style tracks behind us, I feel from Belle Isle on I’m much more suited to these driver style tracks so I’m hoping I can start pushing into the Top 15 over the coming rounds and just continue to collect points. Also focusing a little more on me as a driver vs me as a team owner, Red Bull I went back to full focus on my driving and performance, and it made a huge difference to have that full focus.

R: Finally, your surrounded by an excellent team that you’ve built over the last few years. How do you find the vibe within the team? Does it contribute to results?

SM: We have a great bunch of guys in the team, the vibe is great and the want to succeed is only getting stronger. We have gone from being over the moon with a top 10, to know breaking down what held us back from being in the top 5 this race. That want to succeed is what I’m excited about for the future and really looking forward to the rest of 2023 with our eyes on 2024!

There’s no doubt Shawn McNamara is capable of excellent results in the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup l, will he continue his championship climb at Belle Isle in 2023?

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