The 2023 season officially kicked into gear last week with the Turn in Race Apparel Sebring Sprint and a handful of drivers stood out with notable performances on the bumpy Florida track.

1. Madison Down

Madison Down’s performance perfectly sums up how quickly things can change in the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup. After a power outage put an end to his hopes at Sebring in 2022, Down would return in 2023 with a dominant display of driving sweeping both pole position & the race win. If his form from round 1 is anything to go by, we expect Madison Down to be ruthless in his pursuit of a championship in 2023.

2. James Scott

First full time start, first podium. Pretty solid first day in the office for James Scott. Although he will be seething he couldn’t get the jump on the TTR duo of Madison Down & Brady Meyers, a podium is a solid way to being the long haul in 2023. With a result on the board early in the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup, Scott will only look to get better from here.

3. Jake Moloney

Jake Moloney is no stranger to clinical drives through the field, but Sebring was a sensational statement from the TTR stalwart. A difficult qualifying saw Moloney in 20th, but it was clear from the moment the flag dropped his race pace exceeded his turn of pace in qualifying. Constantly moving forward, Moloney made the move for 6th in the closing stages, holding off Wayne Bourke & Ethan Grigg-Gault in a thrilling battle.

4. Jack Boyd

If you looked at the qualifying standings, Jack Boyd would of been a name that looked rather out of place in 40th. But it didn’t take long for the Synergy Sim Racing driver to turn the tables with a scintillating drive through the field to claim 20th position at the line. A great drive for Jack showcased what he is capable of when under pressure to perform, one would wonder what was achievable with a better grid position.

5. Thomas Freeman

A somewhat dark horse entering the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup, Thomas Freeman showed he was a driver to watch over the course of the 44 lap encounter at Sebring. Qualifying 38th, it looked like it may be a difficult night for the Fishy Motorsports driver, but driving through the field to 21st by end of the race, it’s highlighted the potential this driver has to offer. Keep an eye out for Freeman in round 2 at Phillip Island to see if he can keep moving forward.

6. Blake Worboys

With arguably the most competitive Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup field in recent times, Blake’s performance on his return to the series in 2023 is a great springboard for the season ahead. A fairly clean day in the books coming home 17th is nothing to be unhappy about for Worboys, who for the most part was mixing it in and around the top 15 for the majority of the race.

7. Luke Rosella

After finishing 5th in the 2022 instalment of the series, there were high hopes for the Synergy Sim Racing driver heading into 2023. Although finishing in 19th and a penalty may not look like the greatest result, digging deeper you’ll find it doesn’t tell the whole story. Qualifying an outstanding 3rd, not only would Rosella start at the front, he looked like a genuine contender early on. Although things didn’t go to plan, his efforts at round one of the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup haven’t gone unnoticed.

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The Anticipation has been building for the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup. Questions became answers on Wednesday night as the strong field of 45 drivers took to the track at Sebring for the Turn In Apparel Sebring sprint.

Qualifying proved to be hotly contested, only .255 of a second separated the top 10 at the conclusion of the 20 minute qualifying session. Madison down continued his form from Practice, putting his Virtual Racing School TTR commodore on pole position for the opening round of the season setting a blistering 2:01.002. James Scott would follow suit, placing the #088 on the front row next to Down. Luke Rosella had a stand out qualifying session to start his season, placing in third on the grid alongside defending series champion Jarrad Filsell & Marcello Rivera who rounded out the top 5.

The flag would drop for 44 laps around the 6 kilometre circuit with Madison Down converting from pole position leading the field into turn 1. Rosella would also have a strong launch, jumping James Scott into the first corner with Scott settling into third ahead of series champion Filsell. Brady Meyers made the most of the start, jumping from eighth to fifth by the time the field reached turn 3.

Meyers would set out and go to work in the early stages. showing intent, the #22 TTR driver would find his way into second position behind TTR stablemate Madison Down by the end of lap three.

The race wouldn’t settle into a rhythm for long, lap seven would mark a turning point early in the race. As Madison & Brady controlled the field working together from the front, Rosella & Rivera were disputing over the third. Side by side through Sunset Bend Marcello found himself on the outside upon corner exit. Both cars fighting tooth and nail, Rosella & Rivera would come together resulting in Rivera finding the outside tyre barrier. Both cars would obtain damage. Filsell would also find himself caught out in this incident, picking up serous aero damage that would hinder him for the remainder of the night.

By lap eleven the ailing car of Jarrad Filsell formed the lead of a battle train that carried all the way from seventh position down the eighteenth on the road. Filsell, continuing to fight on with a wounded car, would manage to put on a solid defensive display keeping the likes of Ethan Grigg-Gault, Dylan Rudd & Jake Maloney at bay. Jarrad would manage to hold off the attacks until lap 15 which saw both Grigg-Gault & Maloney find their way through into Sunset Bend. Jarrad finally loosing out on the battle would make make his first transit of the lane for his opening pit stop.

As the first of the two compulsory pit stops started to be completed for a number of cars another major incident took place on lap 17. Battling for a place inside the top 30, Jordan Ross careered his Watercraft Performance Mustang into the side of 9ine 5ive SimSports driver Bradley Rattew. The incident set off a chain reaction, also seeing Robert Gibbs become involved in the incident picking up heavy damage. For Ross, unfortunately this wouldn’t be the only incident he’s caught in for the night, picking up a range of penalty’s in a race that will one to forget.

Meanwhile, Down would continue to lead the race as pitstops continued to flurry. Building a impressive gap back to stablemate Meyers. James Scott & Andrew Gilliam would make their first trip to the lane on lap on lap 18, being the first of that crucial lead group to make the journey. Down continued to lead until his first stop on lap 21. Pitting last, Down would rejoin the circuit in second position behind Luke Rosella, who pitted as early as lap 12 with a short fuel stop.

The race would remain quiet for the time being, drivers staying line astern ticking off the laps.

The caution would fly for the first time in 2023 on lap 28, Jarrad Filsell finding himself stranded after being involved in yet another accident. A night to forget for the defending champion, he will look to bounce back.

With the caution flying, pit lane would be sparked into action again, with the entirety of the field pitting to serve their second compulsory pit stop of the race.

Madison would win the race out of the lane, re taking the effective lead of the race ahead of Brady Meyers. James Scott slotted into third, followed by Andrew Gilliam & Jake Burton rounding out the top 5. Rosella would find himself sitting in 6th position exiting the lane, contact from teammate Wayne Bourke under safety car ultimately putting a competitive end to Luke Rosella’s night, the driver of the #55 commodore managing a damaged car home for the remainder of the race.

Green flag racing resumed on lap 31, Down converting the restart perfectly. The top five would form a break away pack early, all five drivers creating space back to Ethan Grigg-Gault, Wayne Bourke & Jake Maloney.

The battle between Wayne Bourke, Grigg-Gault & Jake Maloney would come to a head on lap 43. Bourke managing to get alongside the outside of Grigg-Gault heading into Tower Corner. Contact in the middle of the corner saw Bourke run off the road on the exit, Allowing Freer to move into eighth position.

Back at the front, Madison Down would lead the field home to take the victory in the Turn In Race Apparel Sebring Sprint, his second career win in the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup. Brady Meyers would follow his TTR teammate home with James Scott rounding out the podium. Gilliam would complete a brilliant drive from outside the top ten in 4th, Burton 5th, Maloney 6th, Grigg-Gault 7th, Freer 8th, Rudd 9th with Brenton Hobson rounding out the top 10 for the opening round of the season.

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The opening round of the 2023 Logitech G Pro Invitational series is set to be held around Sebring on the 22nd of March.

Opened in 1950, the 6.019 kilometre circuit provides the ultimate challenge for drivers, who have to muster all of their skills to tame the 17 corners the track throws at you.

2022 winner Brady Meyers takes us through the key points to look out for at Sebring, highlighting what will have to be achieved to walk away with a decent result around arguably one of the most demanding circuits on the 2023 calendar.

1. Turn 1:

Tough corner and easy to mess up. Turn 1 is critical in setting up your lap. Get it right and you will be able to carry a lot of speed through the first sector of the lap. Get it wrong and it's hello Mr Concrete wall. Brake earlier than you think!

2. Turn 7, the hairpin:

After the update to the track there is a change in track surface on the run up to the hairpin. This will incentivise people into having a lunge. However for the overambitious this will also be a hotspot for chaos to occur.

3. Alan's Corner:

Affectionately known as Alan's Corner, this is another hotspot for incidents to happen. Deceptively tight and very easy to overshoot on the braking approach, it encourages competitors to have a dive. Getting power down out of the left-hander will be paramount for both laptime and tire life. Very easy to excite the right rear into wheelspin.

4. Back Section of the Track:

Knowing your track limits is important. The slowdowns here can bite viciously, especially at the start of the race.

5. Sunset Bend:

Another very deceptive corner. It is very easy to both overshoot and underdrive this section, especially under the rear wing of another competitor. The inside fence juts out at the first part, preying on the unwary. Traction and ride control out of this corner is key, very easy to burn the left rear.

Sidenote: Fuel.

Make sure you have enough. It can be the difference between winning and finishing fourth!

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Turn In Race apparel joins forces with the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series for Sebring.

Turn In Race Apparel has come onboard as the naming rights sponsor for the opening round of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series set to take place at Sebring International Raceway.

Turn In Race apparel provides a wide range of custom apparel for race teams, E sport teams, Race leagues you name it!

With Turn In Race Apparel’s custom designs you have the ability to select from a wide range of colours, Accessories & styles to suit your vision.

Teams who already are using Turn In Race Apparel within the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series include 9ine 5ive SimSports & Synergy Sim Racing, will you be the next in line?

For 10% off your Turn In Race Apparel order be sure to mention the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series at checkout!

We look forward to working alongside Turn In Race Apparel at Sebring on March 22 as we prepare to go racing in 2023.

Be sure to check out Turn In Race Apparel at: https://turnin.store

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