Logitech G Pro Invitational Qualifying Series driver Andrew Dyson has highlighted the importance of qualifying as we head to Sandown for the penultimate round of the championship.

Dyson who’s had a stellar season to date, Currently finds himself at the top of the standings after two rounds, a mere 12 points ahead of 9ine 5ive Simsports driver Dylan Rudd.

Impressive race pace has been the story of Dyson’s season so far, finding ways to advance through the field in both races at Phillip Island & Hockenheim. Most recently at Hockenheim, the driver of the DPR racing #41 Mustang found himself outside the top 10 in qualifying, Starting from 13th position. This was no problem for Dyson though, delivering a strategic masterclass along with strong race pace which saw him slice and dice his way through the field to a second consecutive podium and the points lead.

Things seem to be going in the right direction across the pond at DPR Racing, having found a competitive balance between its drivers that only will see the trajectory of this team on the way up.

Speaking with Dyson in preparation for the upcoming round at Sandown, it’s evident the team at DPR Racing have found it beneficial working alongside one another, attempting to unlock the pace we have seen from them in the recent past.

“We've been working together focusing on our 1 lap pace. If we can all qualify well, then the races, and the results we need to make the top 20 in points, will come to us.

With Chris in particular, we're trying to pass on small things that Dylan and myself have picked up through our experience to help him bolster his already capable arsenal. He has great pace and I can only see him improving his game all round”.

When referring to Sandown in general it’s clear Dyson and DPR have their eyes firmly set on perfecting qualifying, the 3.104 kilometre circuit providing a challenge to pass, qualifying well is half the job done.

“Its important to qualify well at Sandown. Passing is tough, and racing in the pack is tight and nose to tail in the slow stuff. I'll need to do a better job in qualifying than I have been so far. From there, I'd expect a high likelihood of safety cars, so making the right strategic calls and staying out of trouble at any restarts will be huge”.

Dyson’s season as a whole personally has been impressive, Although qualifying hasn’t been as strong as he would like, there’s plenty to be happy with. Leading the championship into the final two rounds provides Dyson and DPR with an opportunity to put their mark on the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series well before it begins, And make it known they are here to win. Winning the championship isn’t the priority for Dyson, but it definitely would fire a early warning shot to his competitors.

“There's a whole bunch of guys lining up to be that guy. For me, its not a priority, although if I can keep getting some nice finishes, then maybe I could give it a shake. I think generally I race better than I qualify. For the last two races, I've been able to stay out of the wheel to wheel stuff and focus on keeping it clean as well as pitting out into clear road. Phillip Worley has been a big help in that department for O'Shea and Ireland as well“.

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The mid point of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series has been reached, Hockenheim marking the occasion. Although towards the top of the championship it seems relatively straight forward, As we turn our attention to the midfield, things are different.

Only 2 rounds remain in the Logitech G Pro Invitational Qualifying Series, all drivers aiming to be the one progressing through to the main series set to kick off in March.

This week Michael Angus of Fishy Motorsports finds himself sitting in 20th position after our most recent round at Hockenheim. The driver of the #205 Fishy Motorsports Mustang has seen a Consistent campaign to date, Most notably finding himself sitting on the bubble in each stage of qualifying so far. Leaving prequalifying as the final seeded driver in 45th, Michael has proven he has the ability to race forward. Securing 20th place results in both the Phillip Island & Hockenheim rounds.

Thanks for joining us Michael. To date you’ve shown great consistency across the opening two rounds, having pre qualified in 45th, are you surprised to see yourself 20th in the standings?

To be honest with you, yes and no. Initially I was going to be missing two of the four qualifying races due to work commitments, so in the back of my mind I was really approaching the qualifying series as a bit of a ‘just get out there and see what happens’. The two opening rounds I have jumped in on race day without putting down any laps prior and just tried to keep it clean, and surprised myself a little with the end results. In saying that, the depth of the field and the desire for so many people to make the series definitely adds an element of pressure, where mistakes can happen. I have had some luck go my way with a few others making errors, so keeping my nose clean has meant my results so far have probably exceeded my actual race pace. However, with two rounds to go which I am now available for, both at familiar tracks where the team have done a heap of running, the race pace should be there and I will be doing my best to finish inside the top 20. So far, the bubble is working and I am happy to ride it for as long as I can!

You have been a member at Fishy Motorsports for some time now, Have they played a role in how your season has progressed? If so, What do you think it is that makes Fishy Motorsports a vital part of your development?

To be honest with you, the people that make up Fishy Motorsports is what makes it a great place to go racing. I know it sounds like a cliché answer, but the guys really do work incredibly well together both on and off the track, and you can see that in the results both this season so far, and over the last 12-18 months. What Michael Whiting has built in a racing team is a network of guys that genuinely look out for each other, and celebrate the wins together just as much as lifting each other up after a loss. The names in the team like Whiting, Delaney, Dike, Freeman, Kirby, Warwick, McGuire, Coleman that feature in some of the higher ranked Supercar series we almost expect to get out there every race and be competitive and chase wins, but it’s the results we are now starting to see from the guys knocking on the door of those series like Munday, Simpson, Whitaker, Griffiths, Delaney Jnr, Thomas, Hollis that really is so cool to see. If you thought there was a lot of Fish in the field before, just give us another 12 months!

Currently in the final transfer position (20th) with 2 rounds remaining, how important is it to you to make it into the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series for 2023?

I would love to make the series, and it would really put a nice stamp on the progress in racing I have made over the last 12 months. A year ago I recall looking at some of the names featuring in the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series and thinking ‘how the hell do they do that’. To now be rubbing doors with them on a weekly basis is rewarding and all I have ever wanted to get out of sim racing. In saying that, if I happen to miss out, I will be the first one there supporting the Fishy boys that hopefully make the field and ensure we get a team car as high up the standings as possible. We embrace going in as the underdog, so anything is possible!

Finally Micheal, How have you enjoyed being a part of the inaugural Logitech G Pro Invitational Qualifying Series?

I have. The team have consistently spoken about the level of detail and effort that we as drivers can see has gone in to the series from a management side of things. I think what is being created up here will become the blueprint for Supercar series going forward, and I look forward to being involved in it in any capacity I can be.

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Dylan Rudd continued his rich vein of form during round 2 of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Qualifying Series at Hockenheim, securing a well earned victory come the end of the 44 lap encounter.

After failing to secure automatic acceptance into the 2023 Logitech G Pro Invitational series over the course of the 2022 season, Dylan has returned, showing exactly why he deserves his place to race against the very best. Although a consistent top ten contender in 2022, missed rounds and bad luck hampered Rudd’s campaign.

Speaking in the post race press conference, Dylan, currently sitting 2nd in the championship standings, was asked about his focus moving forward.

“I’m more focused on securing a promotion into the series, but come the final round, If I find myself on top of the points it would be a cool bonus”.

The second round of the championship was also highlighted by a wonderful battle between Rehan Liyanage and Dylan, when speaking about the battle, Dylan would go on to state he felt it was a fair battle against the Pursuit Sim Racing driver.

“The battle against Rehan in the closing laps was a very hard but fair battle. It Was very enjoyable to battle and race against Rehan as there was respect given from both sides to run side by side for majority of the final lap”.

As proceedings were being wrapped up at Hockenheim, conversation moved towards Sandown. Having already hosted an event last year which saw Dayne Warren & Jarrad Filsell take the prestigious Sandown 500 crown, Sandown will be a great equaliser for some who have already had a taste of the Victorian circuit during the 2022 endurance cup campaign including the likes of Dylan Rudd. When asked about Sandown, Rudd seemed quietly confident he could get the job done.

“Sandown is a track I enjoy driving at. I’ll be shooting for a top 5,anything can happen on the night and there are plenty of fast guys out there”.

Dylan Rudd’s recent form should be cause for concern for the drivers in the Logitech G Pro Invitational qualifying series, A driver who is seemingly on his game, will be hard to beat come race day at Sandown.

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Round one of the Logitech G Pro Invitational qualifying series delivered close quarters racing of the highest quality and Round 2 proved to be no different at Hockenheim.

In an interesting qualifying session, It would be Dylan O’Shea setting the pace early, posting a 1:37.982 with seasoned veteran Josh Muggleton close behind on a 1:38.009. But ultimately it would be youngest competitor Rehan Liyanage taking his first pole position of the series by sessions end. The Pursuit Sim Racing young gun setting the time sheets alight with a staggering 1:37.824 securing pole by only .060 over Synergy Sim Racing stalwart Damien Johnstone. A big moment for Liyanage, cementing his place as a true force amongst the qualifying series contingents.

Robert Gibbs would stay true to form in qualifying, Placing a 1:37.961 to secure 3rd on the grid. Dylan O’Shea would line up 4th with Dylan Rudd of 9ine 5ive SimSports rounding out the top five. Impressive performances from the likes of Sebastian Varndell & Chris Ireland would also see them line up inside the top ten for the first time this season.

Qualifying didn’t go without controversy though with teammates Adam Briggs and Kenneth Latter from Synergy Sim Racing colliding at the exit of turn seven in the final 15 minutes of qualifying. Both cars yet to set a competitive lap time, Briggs & Latter would both be forced to start from the rear of the grid in positions 39 & 40. To add insult to injury, Briggs would be slapped with a pit lane drive through penalty to be served under racing conditions as a result of the incident.

Liyanage would convert the start to lead the field into turn one, followed by Robert Gibbs & Dylan O’Shea. Front row starter Damien Johnstone had a troubled start to the race, unable to convert from the front row of the grid. Difficulty getting away saw the driver of the Synergy Sim Racing #033 commodore get tangled up at turn one with Trans Tasman Racing’s Josh Muggleton. Damien’s day would go from bad to worse receiving a drive through penalty which would ultimately ruin his chance of any competitive result.

It didn’t take long for the action to begin, Brett Loxton & Bailey Fridd being being the first drivers caught up in a tangle at the turn 5 hairpin.

Meanwhile at the front of the field, Liyanage would control the pack for the opening lap before relinquishing control to Robert Gibbs through the Parabolika on lap 2. As drivers settled into a early Rhythm Gibbs would continue to lead with Liyanage close in tow, Rudd, O’Shea and Rattew would make up the top five.

Early movers saw the likes of Kurt Stenberg climb his way up the standings, gaining 7 positions in the opening six laps of the race to sit just outside the top ten. A welcome start to the race for Stenberg, looking to make up for misfortunes that took place during the opening round at Phillip Island.

The pack would remain relatively line astern for the laps that followed until Andrew Dyson dived to the lane at the conclusion of lap 9 to be the first of the lead competitors to take one of their compulsory pit stops. Many of the top competitors made the decision not to react, opting to continue setting the pace from the front of the field. Dyson’s DPR teammate Dylan O’Shea would eventually be the next to follow suit pitting at the conclusion of lap 12, this setting off the beginning of the opening pit stop cycle. Rudd, Liyanage & Rattew would make their first journey to the lane at the conclusion of lap 13 leaving Robert Gibbs out front controlling the field. Gibbs would box entering lap 16, A fuelling mishap causing the ERT driver to over fuel ultimately taking him out of contention for the race win. Gibbs would re join 14th behind Bradley Rattew and look to salvage a result.

As the first round of stops came to a close, Pole sitter Liyanage would take control of the race leading by 5.2 seconds after a short fill saw him re gain his original starting place. O’Shea would comfortably sit second, followed by Rudd & Dyson. DPR’s Dyson was a clear winner after the opening round of stops, climbing his way into a competitive 4th place.

Brian Borg & Hayden Veld would provide a wonderful spectacle over the mid point of the race, A brilliant door to door battle between the two resulting in Hayden eventually coming out on top on lap 27. Other battle packs featured inside the top ten, The battle between Christopher Island, Ric Kuznetsov, Kurt Stenberg & Bradley Rattew over 7th providing much needed entertainment during the long period of green flag running.

Dylan Rudd Would be the first of the front Running competitors to pit on lap 29, A decision that would prove to pay off late in the race. Other drivers would soon follow, with all the front running cars completing their compulsory pit stops by the conclusion of lap 35.

As the field settled into its effective order in the closing laps It was clear it would be a two horse race at the pointy end of the field. Dylan Rudd took the effective lead ahead of Rehan Liyanage in the dying stages, only half a second separating the two heading into the final laps.

As the white flagged waved on lap 44 we were treated to the best battle of the season to date, both Rudd & Liyanage going toe to toe for the race victory. After spending the entire lap side by side trading blows It would come down to the final three corners. Exiting the stadium section side by side for the final time neither driver was willing to give an inch, resulting is Rehan finding the grass on entry and receiving a slow down penalty. Dylan Rudd would claim the victory, his first of the season, followed by Andrew Dyson in 2nd & pole sitter Rehan Liyanage rounding out the podium for Hockenheim. The remainder of the top 5 consisted of Dylan O’Shea & Ric Kuznetsov followed by Robert Gibbs, Shawn McNamara, Sebastian Varndell, Josh Muggleton & Thomas Hinns rounding out the top 10.

At the conclusion of two rounds, Andrew Dyson takes control of the championship over Hockenheim race winner Dylan Rudd with Robert Gibbs, Rehan Liyanage & Ric Kuznetsov rounding out the top 5 in overall points.

With another fantastic round of racing complete in the Logitech G Pro Invitational qualifying series Attention will now turn to Sandown for the pinultimate round of the championship.

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