Round 2 of the Logitech G Pro Invitational qualifying series will cross the shores and head to the Hockenheimring to continue what has been an enthralling series to date.
The 17 corner 4.57 kilometre circuit located in Germany opened on the 29th of May 1932. Hockenheim has hosted many top level series, DTM, Formula 1, GP3, GP2 & the World Sportscar Championship to name a few.
2022 saw the Logitech G Pro Invitational series make its first journey to the Hockenheimring, Both Jarrad Filsell & Madison Down would share victory’s over the 2 race sprint format. With the qualifying series set to race on the 8th of February around this history filled circuit, we asked Shawn McNamara of 9ine 5ive SimSports to take us through his 5 key points around the Hockenheimring Circuit.
1. Braking Performance
Hockenheim has both extremes of braking to contend with, from the biggest stop into the hairpin, followed by the flowing sections that require a different braking technique. Finding that happy balance in braking performance will be critical.
2. Qualifying
Just like most tracks qualifying is important, but this is a track where you really do need to qualify well. A lot of time to be lost in the mid pack with heavy congestion in the opening lap. Risk is far higher of being caught or causing some carnage if you aren’t patient.
3. Commitment
This is track where you need to extract everything from yourself and car to achieve that lap time, finding the line between late braking and trusting the car in the high-speed turn ins through the middle of lap is the only way to move forward.
4. Be Smart
It’s easy to come unstuck around here, off tracks are everywhere so it is important to watch the incident limit. Adding to that, you want to make sure you pick your battles on track. This is a track that leads to close hard racing, but with high consequence. Collecting points should be the focus.
5. Strategy
Finding the right pit strategy along with executing both stops well. Much higher risk of a safety car at Hockenheim so that will certainly play a role. Along with tire degradation at this track, there will be a range of options on the table.
Tune in to the Logitech G Pro Invitational qualifying series as we head to the Hockenheimring which is sure set to be a blockbuster on the 8th of February.
Robert Gibbs stellar performance at Phillip Island may of come as a shock to some but for the Evolution Racing Team driver it’s the result of hard work over the course of the off season.
Making his debut late last year in the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series endurance cup, Gibbs returns in 2023 with his sights set on driving full time. After a performance that saw the driver of the #2 ERT Mustang challenge the likes of James Scott at Phillip Island, Gibbs will definitely continue to be the one to watch in coming rounds.
Speaking post race Gibbs wasn’t overly surprised with his performance, stating he has put work into preparing for the qualifying series ahead.
“I wouldn't say I was surprised with my result in the end as I've been working pretty hard to make sure that I give myself the best opportunity to perform but I wouldnt say that I was expecting to be fighting for the win either”.
With expectations now high on the ERT driver, lots have questioned how he will stay on top of the competition and continue competing towards the front of the field come Hockenheim.
"I've been working pretty hard to make sure that I give myself the best opportunity to perform"
“For me, personally, the key to maintaining my form is plenty of practice, making sure im as prepared as i can be. Second thing is to make sure that i stay out of trouble during the race because as we saw in round 1 there were a handful of guys that were top 10 runners get caught up in accidents and finish in the 30's“.
For Robert, Joining the Evolution Racing Team has given him access to some of the top drivers the country has to offer. It’s clear by aligning this talented young driver with the experience of the ERT setup, success will surely follow.
“Joining ERT has been massive for my improvement, having half a dozen teammates worth of data to compare against has really helped me become not just faster but more consistent“
Following on from Phillip Island we’re now set to see Supercars on track at Hockenheim, Asked about preparations leading into the event, Gibbs explained what the lead up has consisted of in between rounds.
"I feel like my preparation for Hockenheim has been pretty good considering it doesn't really suit my driving style. As a team I think we're going to really up the ante for round 2 and make sure we come prepared“.
Round 2 is fast approaching for the Logitech G Pro Invitational qualifying series, Can Robert Gibbs continue his recent form? Tune in on the 8th of February to find out!
2022 Logitech G Pro Invitational Series driver Luke Mitchinson has opened his qualifying series account in the best way possible with a 13th place finish at the opening round of the championship at Phillip Island.
2022 was a character building year for RACEONOZ driver Mitchinson, Difficult results lead to a underwhelming championship campaign finding himself outside the cutoff at seasons end in 30th position.
Returning to the series in 2023 through the qualifying series, Round 1 at Phillip Island has shown the potential Mitchinson has to offer.
Qualifying 18th for the 45 lap race, Luke would slowly make his way forward. Keeping his driving simple along with following a straightforward strategy yielded a solid opening result, Crossing the line in 13th position at race end.
Speaking with Luke in the garage regarding Round 1 post race, The feeling was although achieving a great opening result there may be more left to offer for this driver, The main focus still set on being consistent, With the key to success also being staying out of other peoples trouble.
“I was actually expecting to qualify a bit higher than 18th but I struggled getting the car turned in with the aero wash. The race went as planned however and I slowly made my way up the field. As tempting as it is to make big moves I know I have the pace for a solid result and decided not to risk anything in the first race. I’m confident in my current pace and feel like I’m only improving. The main threat is putting it in the fence or being put in the fence so I’ll be doing all I can to keep away from any incidents“
"As tempting as it is to make big moves I know I have the pace for a solid result and decided not to risk anything in the first race."
Mitchinson also highlighted the the help he has received from his teammates at RACEONOZ, Explaining their experience in Supercars has helped him make his own progression.
“The solid result was really down to the help from my teammates Tyler Blackburn and Justin Wallace who’ve got plenty of experience in the supercars. Practicing together brings out a friendly competition between us and with their help I’ve been able to improve my racecraft and find pace towards the end of a stint“.
With the 2023 series fast approaching, Luke will aim to make it through to the offical series.
“I’m simply aiming to make the cutoff to the main series through consistent results. The four round structure really keeps you on your toes where one bad result can send you out of contention in the blink of an eye. I’m looking forward to a good year of racing“.
As we prepare for the qualifying series to head Hockenheim on the 8th of February will Luke Mitchinson be able to continue his run of form?
Will Robert Gibbs break through for his first win? Can James Scott continue to dominate the series? Tune into the Logitech G Pro Invitational qualifying series to find out.
Logitech G Pro Invitational Series qualifying driver Aaron Borg had a roller coaster experience at Phillip island for the opening round of the season.
Being part of the opening qualifying group Aaron would manage only 39th on the grid. Although a poor qualifying from the #4 TTR driver, Racing proved to be his strong suit, The foresight to read the strategies along with the ability to preserve tyres across a long run enabling Aaron to progress up the field gaining 15 positions finishing a comfortable 24th.
An accomplished driver outside of the simulator, The Toyota 86 & duel SuperUte series champion has drawn comparisons to his time in the Toyota 86 Racing Series championship, Claiming the Logitech G Pro Invitational Qualifying Series has shown similarities to the competitiveness and technique’s seen in the championship.
“ There’s definitely some similarities in driving techniques but also a lot of differences. Biggest thing is the amount of time everyone spends doing laps, Which is limited in real racing. The competitiveness reminds me of the 86 series though, It doesn’t take much to be up the front or down the back “. -Aaron Borg.
"There’s definitely some similarities in driving techniques but also a lot of differences"
Also speaking post race in regards to his round one performance as a whole at Phillip Island, It’s clear Borg may feel he under performed. But with the help of his Trans Tasman Racing teammates & defending Supercars E Series champion Madison Down we may definitely see this National level racing talent translate his skills into the simulator also.
“I didn’t have the best of first rounds, messed up qualifying and then was up and down in the race. To be honest I’m just doing it for some fun and if I qualify that’s a bonus. I don’t get to do as many laps as many others do on the sim so anytime I can get on with the guys is good fun.
It’s great being part of TTR, they’re a great bunch of guys which makes getting on the sim even more enjoyable. I’ve done a bit with Mads, particularly in the eseries last year which was good fun. He helps me a lot with understanding how to drive on the sim quick so I’m slowly getting there”. Aaron Borg.
We are set to return to Hockenheim on the 8th of February for round 2 of the Logitech G Pro Invitational qualifying series in 2023. Will Aaron Borg be able to continue a strong run of racing form at Hockenheim in round 2? Tune in to the Logitech G Pro Invitational qualifying series on the 8th of February to find out!
Anticipation has been building for some time in recent months as to who would be the hot favourites in the qualifying series, A number of those names featured at the top of the time sheets in qualifying almost immediately. With qualifying split into two separate groups, Both would receive 15 minutes to set their respective times that would determine the grid.
Group one would be headlined by TTR’s Josh Muggleton in qualifying who set a 1:28.309 to sit on top of the time charts at the conclusion of their qualifying stage, Followed by Harrison Dengate & Sebastian Varndell who rounded out the top 3. Some drivers struggled to find their feet, The likes of seasoned veterans Michael Talijancich & Cameron Veacock finding themselves featuring a little lower in the standings than they would of liked.
Group 2 rolled out for the final 15 minutes of qualifying. The tone was set early, James Scott immediately making his presence felt. The likes of Dylan Rudd, Robert Gibbs & Ric Kuznetsov would challenge James at the top of the timesheets, Rudd finding himself only 7 thousands shy of pole position at the conclusion of the session. Impressive times saw the top 4 only separated by 5 hundredths of a second in total with the top ten separated by a staggering .268 of a second.
With gridding procedures complete, James Scott would lead the field into turn one closely followed by Dylan Rudd & Robert Gibbs. An uneventful opening account to the race for most, Drivers all choosing to take a balanced approach to the start of the race. Andrew Dyson found positions early, gaining 2 positions in the opening laps to move up into 7th. Rehan Liyanage, Adam Briggs & Damien Johnstone formed 8th through to 10th in one of the early battle packs that formed inside the top 10.
"The tone was set early, James Scott immediately making his presence felt"
With two compulsory pit stops required across the 45 lap event, this opened up a variety of strategy selections. Andrew Dyson would be the first to transit the lane pitting at the conclusion of lap 9. This manoeuvre set of flurry of pit stops. Adam Briggs would be the first to follow suit on lap 10 with the likes of Brian Borg, Rehan Liyanage & Damien Johnstone all heading to the lane on lap 11.
With a majority of the field now making the decision to tour pit lane for the first of their compulsory pit stops, This left James Scott, Robert Gibbs & Dylan Rudd out front still setting the pace.
Adam Briggs and Andrew Dyson worked well together, Making their way through traffic comfortably as they tried to gain an advantage with their early pit stops.
After the first round of pit stops where completed it would be Robert Gibbs leading the field, his lap 16 pit stop provided him with ample opportunity to undercut Scott, who chose to run long.
Further down the field , Sebastian Flock along with Matthew Bowler were in a fight for the top ten, Closely followed by 2022 series competitor Luke Mitchinson who was having a strong showing in the opening round of the qualifying series.
A difficult first round of pit stops for Shawn McNamara saw the 9ine 5ive SimSports driver and 2022 competitor fall well outside the top ten after running as high as 6th early in the race. He was being trailed by Henry James Racing driver Thomas Hinns & ERT’s Bailey Fridd.
Lap 31 would mark a critical point of the race, Drop Bear Motorsports driver Tyson Broad pulling his ailing ZB Commodore off the circuit at Southern Loop triggering the first and only safety car of the race. Pit lane went into frenzy with a number of drivers making a visit to the lane to complete their final mandatory pit stop. A scintillating stop from Kurt Stenberg saw the TTR driver climb into 4th position under caution, Behind Andrew Dyson who stayed out on 9 lap old tyres having already completed his mandatory stop requirement prior on lap 24. Briggs would slot himself into 5th followed by Jobe Stewart, Dylan Rudd, Brad Rattew, Rehan Liyanage & Ric Kuznetsov who would round out the top 10. Gibbs and Scott would both also visit the lane under safety car, Gibbs retaining his lead for the restart.
Lap 35 would see green flag racing resume and it wouldn’t take long for fireworks to begin. Turn 4 again would provide arguably the biggest incident of the night, Brian Borg & Sebastian Varndell coming together at Miller corner setting off a chain reaction on corner entry with multiple cars being caught up in the scuffle.
Kurt Stenberg’s night also came unstuck at Miller corner on lap 41. After a brilliant run through the field to be comfortably in 4th, a late drama under brakes saw Stenberg miss his apex by a tight margin and get turned around by the pack of cars behind which included Briggs, Stewart & Dylan Rudd. Stenberg was able to rejoin the circuit in 23rd position though unfortunately would find himself demoted to 32nd by race end.
"Pit lane went into frenzy with a number of drivers making a visit to the lane to complete their final mandatory pit stop"
Further up the front Robert Gibbs and James Scott were trading blows. Gibbs putting up a fruitful defence showing he can race against the best there is. Scott though managed to find a way past on lap 40 at Doohan corner with a bold and assertive move up the inside. Gibbs would continue to apply the pressure but ultimately it would be James Scott who crossed the line for the win by .5 of a second over Gibbs. Dyson would put on a clinic to finish on the podium in 3rd followed by Briggs & Liyanage rounding out the top 5. Stewart, Kuznetsov, Rudd, McNamara & Damien Johnstone would round out the top 10.
Round 1 of the Logitech G Pro Invitational qualifying series sure has delivered some exciting racing. James Scott has set the benchmark during race 1. The question is who of the 45 field of drivers will step up and knock him off.
