With the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup underway, the series turns its focus to Europe for the first time this season, as we journey across the seas to one of the most formidable circuits in the world, Spa-Francorchamps.

Located in Stavelot, Belgium, the Spa-Francorchamps circuit was first opened in August of 1921, establishing a 14.982 25 turn circuit consisting of public roads through the local townships of Francorchamps, Malmedy & Stavelot creating an incredibly fast, exhilarating experience for all drivers who were willing to conquer it. The circuit has undergone considerable changes in the post war era, now established as a permanent 7.004 kilometre circuit consisting of 20 corners including the famous Eau Rouge, Raidillon & Blanchimont corners.

This week, championship leader and TTR stalwart Jake Burton takes us through what it takes to master one of the most demanding circuits on the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup calendar.

1. Setting a valid Qualifying Lap

Across a lap at Spa there are so many places where you’re penalized for exceeding track limits. There are sizable gains at La Source, Eau Rouge, No Name, Pouhon, Stavelot and Blanchimont in opening the steering and exceeding the track limits, but doing so in qualifying will invalidate your lap. Such a long lap means you won’t get many opportunities to set a time, so ensuring you do a fast lap but importantly, a clean lap, will prevent a disaster in qualifying.

2. Striking a balance with wing angle

Across the last 12 months, we’ve seen many drivers and teams starting to play with rear wing angle to develop a straight line advantage in their setup. Spa has many long straights where you could certainly benefit from running a low-drag setup, but also has many high load corners such as Eau Rouge, Pouhon and Blanchimont where you want maximum downforce. Finding the ‘sweet spot’ between drag and downforce will be critical to developing a fast but agile racecar around this track.

3. Using the draft

There is a huge gain to be found at Spa in tow. Up to 0.5 seconds in qualifying, which can mean the difference between mid pack and the front. It’s difficult to balance however, as in some of the faster corners later in the lap, being too close to the car in front creates huge aero-wash. The drivers who maximize the use of the tow, will be the ones who leave enough gap to not catch the car in front, but also not too far so there is no tow benefit. You also need to depend on the car you’re following being fast enough to pull you along and not make any mistakes - this will benefit larger teams.

4. Fuel saving

With so many long straights and braking zones, accompanied with a strong tow from the draft, fuel saving will play a big element in this race. Don’t be surprised if you see drivers not wanting to lead early in the race, as the draft is too powerful to drive away, and punching a hole for everyone else will just leave you swamped when it’s time to pit. It’s also critical that if you save fuel the whole race, you take enough to drive home from your last stop at full tilt. This is an easy way to get caught out and one that I’ve learned the hard way.

5. Defense

When it gets to the last few laps of the race, the draft is so strong that it’s pretty easy to pass even if you’ve got worse tyres and less pace. If you’re leading the train you’ve got to be ready to put your car in the right place and pull other people up at the apex and stop them from getting an overlap on the inside. It’s so easy to lose 2-3 spots in one corner by getting freight trained due to the long corners at this track, so not letting anyone get past will be key in the dying stages.

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As we head into the 3rd round of the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup, we took time to sit down and speak with Marcello Rivera, who’s returning to Spa-Francorchamps for the first time after an excellent display of driving which saw the #21 Evolution Racing Team Commodore take pole position for last years event.

The 2023 season has proven to be a difficult one to date for Rivera, although having plenty of pace onboard his ERT Commodore, conversion has seemed to elude Him over the course of the opening rounds of the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup.

With a best result of 15th in the opening race of the Watercraft Performance Centre Phillip Island super sprint, Marcello will look to put his championship campaign back on track at a circuit where he’s shown he can race against the elite.

R: So Marcello, It’s been a difficult start to your championship in 2023, the results don’t reflect the pace you’ve been able to show. As we head to round 3 at Spa, does the difficult start you’ve experienced change the way you approach Spa?

MR: My first 2 rounds have been disappointing results, however I’m happy with my pace so I’ll just have to stay positive and the results will come.

R: Last year you took a breakthrough pole position at Spa. As we return this year, do you think you can replicate your heroics from last year’s qualifying session?

MR: Last years pole was a great achievement for me. Im hoping my pace this year around spa is also good but I’m certainly not putting any extra pressure on myself to replicate last year.

R: Finally Marcello, you know what it’s like to race against the best drivers in the series, what do you think it will take it win in a field full of tough competition?

MR: For me to win a race in this series I would need to have a near perfect round. Top 3 in qualifying followed by a mistake free race would be the bare minimal if I was to win a race.

R: Thanks for your time Marcello, we look forward to seeing you up the front in contention for the race win at Spa-Francorchamps.

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Race 1 of the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup at Phillip Island looked like it went to plan for Trans Tasman Racing with a dominant 1-2 finish which saw Jake Burton collect the win ahead of hard charging teammate Jake Moloney. 

In Race 2 luck would dry up for the TTR stablemates, most notably, contact between Jake Moloney & Brady Meyers which would set the tone for a difficult end to the Watercraft Performance Centre Phillip Island Super Sprint for TTR.

Jarrad Filsell would win the launch for race 2, splitting the front row of Moloney & Burton on the run into turn 1. Brady Meyers also managed a solid getaway from his 5th position grid slot. But unfortunately Contact would ensue on the entrance of turn 1 between Meyers & Moloney, catapulting Moloney down the order to the rear of the field, left wondering about what could of been.

The incident between Meyers & Moloney ultimately would go without investigation until post race, later being reviewed and correct penalties being applied.

The incident between Meyers & Moloney sparked debate amongst the paddock, some questioning why penalties weren’t delivered during live racing action, saving the post race debacle. Although the incident wasn’t reported, it was known to have taken place, leaving some surprised to see the result changed under post race review.

We speculate Nobody would be more frustrated than team Owner Madison Down though. Having a difficult night himself, this would only inflict more pain on Trans Tasman Racing’s championship charge, leaving Filsell to ultimately cruise to victory in race 3 of the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup relativity unchallenged.

It’s not all bad news for the Trans Tasman Racing outfit though, with post race penalties now confirmed, Jake Burton has taken over the lead of the championship, making an impressive statement early on in the series.

With a difficult round 2 of the championship now in the books for TTR, attention will now move towards the upcoming round at Spa, set to be held on Wednesday the 10th of May.

With the talent within the Trans Tasman Racing lineup, there is no doubt they will rebound in a timely fashion ahead of Spa, as they look to return to showing they are the best team in the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup.

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Round two of the Mortorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational cup has provided one of the feel good moments in the championship, with 9ine 5ive SimSports duo Dylan Rudd & Ric Kuznetsov delivering their maiden podiums in the series at the Watercraft Performance Centre Phillip Island super sprint on Wednesday night.

Results of 6th & 7th in race 1 set the pair up nicely, charging through in race two crossing the line in a remarkable 2nd & 3rd positions.

This marks a massive milestone for the 9ine 5ive SimSports team, who have firmly shown they are one of the top flight teams in the business.

We took the time to sit and speak with both Ric Kuznetsov & Dylan Rudd during the week to get their thoughts and opinions after their breakout round at Phillip Island.

R: A wonderful moment at Phillip Island for the both of you and the whole 9ine 5ive SimSports team, it must be a great feeling to be able to collect your first podiums. What where your thoughts as you crossed the line?

DR: “I was relieved once I saw the checkered flag as it was very intense and a lot of pressure being up the front, but at the same time I was stoked for Ric and myself to come home for our first podiums”.

R: And for Yourself Ric? I’d imagine you would be feeling quite proud?

RK: “It Was an unreal feeling seeing two 9ine5ive cars on the podium together. Super proud of the 9ine5ive team for how far we come”.

R: And what about the display of car speed you where able to show Dylan. Where you surprised by the pace you had around Phillip Island?

DR: “I was not surprised by my pace around the island as it’s always been one of my better tracks. I knew If I could execute a couple of clean races that a good result was possible”.

R: Ric, I’d imagine you’d very much echo the comments of Dylan, but for you how was the race car? You definitely looked fast and comfortable. Did you expect to be fighting up the pointy end this early in the championship?

RK: I knew we had a fast car after winning SCOPS but didn’t expect to be fighting for the top step of the podium in the Logitech G Pro invitational Cup. The boys at 9ine5ive have been working super hard and it shows with the recent results we have achieved together, so massive thank you to them!

R: So Dylan, After a dominant display of pace which saw you challenge the likes of Jarrad Filsell, what are your expectations moving forward heading to Spa?

DR: Although I’m coming off a good result my expectations will remain the same looking for top 10 results. I missed spa round last season so unsure of how my pace will stack up against others. The team and myself will continue to put in the hard work to hopefully keep the momentum going into the next round.

R: Lastly, Ric, track on track you and the 9ine 5ive team keep getting stronger. What is the expectation now? What do you focus on?

RK: The expectations will be to keep trying to improve and be able to fight the likes of Jarrad Filsell at every track we race at. To be fast on one track is great, to be fast at every track will be the goal.

R: well thanks to the both of you for your time. It’s been great to see what the both of you achieved at Phillip Island, I wish you nothing but the best for the upcoming rounds.

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