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Full Throttle at the Home of Horsepower: Sandown 500 Preview

Could this be the final time an Endurance race heads to the famed “Home of Horsepower” for the Logitech G Pro Invitational? The race on every calendar that brings out the best in the “Retro” liveries in call backs to eras gone by. There’s a reason this one attracts so many eyeballs to the sport.

2025, what does this have in store for us though? A new car, a new era, how are the drivers going to call back to years gone by and through the best shine on the new generation?

We’ve already seen a few livery reveals with the Eclipse stable running their callback to Vodafone styled Triple Eight cars of the mid naughties. We’ve also seen the brilliant Caterpillar and Ingall liveries sported by 9ine 5ive simsports run in the Phillip Island 500, but what does the Sandown section of the Truforce Endurance Cup bring us?

Cast your eyes over to Beau Albert and Rayner Costello’s 2006 Betta Electrical Triple Eight Falcon (ported over to the Mustang of course) and the wow’s already begin.

The Evolution Racing Team #06 among those sporting a retro livery for Sandown

Then there’s the entries from Synergy Sim Racing. Brady Baldwin and Jamie Stovold harken back to the Jack Perkins 2007 Commodore that is just eye-catching in all the darkest of colours! Tag onto that the Brenton Hobson and Tom Freer “Gatorade” styled livery that looks to take the mickey out of another Australian Commentator’s words as they’ve been labelled Synergy Energy Drinks.

Again, Sandown is a round that for me is a requirement to stay on the calendar just to trouble the Spotters and Commentators as we try and pick out all of the newly minted cars. Trust me, it's not as easy as you think!

With all the talk of the legacy of the race, let's walk through moments of the last few years and our race winners.

The one that stands out to me (probably because it was my first race commentating this series) was the 2023 Sandown 500. Luke Rosella and Harley Haber were quick and had their run of luck. When the Safety Car came out in sight of home they had a quick choice to make. Defend on old tires, or trust the speed they had been displaying all day to get them through. Fresh tires and a gritty drive to the front showed what these guys had and made for an exciting finish to boot!

  • LPIS R 10 P 88

  • LPIS R 10 P 111

  • LPIS R 10 P 07

  • LPIS R 10 P 17

More retro liveries on track in the pre-race practice session on Wednesday Night

2024 gave us the one that got away for Jarrod Filsell and Brodie Kostecki. The driver pairing to watch due to the fact they had (and still do have) the closest times between a driver pairing. Critically they made a mistake on the strategy, when they had to do a driver swap late in the day when fuel didn’t cover the swap. They’d throw the thing over kerbs like a kid being thrown around a rollercoaster! Not to be and Griffin Gardiner and Dylan Birse would show a classical ‘Griff’ drive and just be quick but clean and accurate to take his best result. What about Dylan Rudd, clean drive to P2 and a big swing of points to put pressure on the title. This was so important to his Championship in 2024.

Then back to the original, 2022 Jarrad Filsell’s only successful year in the Enduro’s. Dayne Warren would partner him on the way to utter dominance in the Endurance Cup winning both the 500 and the 1000 that year. Well… Only successful year until 2025.

All of this is very important to remember before the new era of old begins.

What about 2025?

Well our first attempt at 500km around a Melbourne based circuit we’re getting its best display of true Melbourne weather.


Throughout Practice and Qualifying we’re going to see an ever increasing chance of rain. Forget the jumpers, I’d go straight to the weather proof jackets with air temps expected to be roughly 19°C for the bulk of the day. Yeah, right…. I’m sure the locals will tell you that it's likely to be a “Four Seasons in One Day” type event.

The good news for us as race car fans though is that it's going to provide the type of tricky prospect that the actual Bathurst 1000 was this year in reverse. Rain up front, worsening towards the middle and maybe drying off by the end. Likely to be the slowest average speed of any Sandown 500 on the sim to date.

The next factor then becomes fatigue. For the younger denizens of the field they’re likely to be in fine form, but for anyone with a 6am start time for work on Friday is probably going to want to not run the final stints. 

The forecast is indicating rain is likely for the race this week

Light rain could see us lose 5-10s worth of pace per lap, heavy into the 15-20s range and all of that changing lap to lap with the grip levels. Tie that in with fuel and driver time management as well as crossover lap times means managing the strategy at the backend of the race becomes brutal. Look to offer yourself some strategy flexibility and running a co driver longer in the middle of the race to open up the option to get off the wets at the crucial time is going to be the key.

Who are my choices to win it? Sorry… I’m going to go with the form guide again and say Filsell/Kostecki. They overcame a strategic error with enough oomph in the car to frazzle James Anderson and Jake Burton. That drive from Phillip Island cannot be ignored and is the biggest statement we’ve seen all year. It’s one thing to launch from pole, lead every lap and win it by a landslide, but to overtake that many cars with a risky strategy call and sit there confidently soaking it in afterwards. Yeah, that grabbed my attention.

The thing is, rain is the real equaliser. An absolute game changer. A monster of a mix up to meter out mayhem.

Friday night who will be tasting victory from the skies? Will the heavens open on a new pairing to write their name into Truforce Endurance Cup folklore?

For me, if the rain does come down, this will be the 500 to remember. See you then!

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by Scott Rankin

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On the Bubble with Beau Albert

The 2025 Logitech G V8PRO Series has been a wild ride for Beau Albert of Evolution Racing Team, with a mix of potent speed and potential, alongside technical issues that sidelined him for multiple races.

No doubt coming into this year, Beau would have set a high bar with his expectations for the season, but to enter the 10th Round of the Championship this week in position 20 is far from where he would have expected to be. There's been no shortage of speed from the #06 Mustang, and regularly across the championship, he has looked the most potent of the ERT stable.

We had the chance to sit down with Beau and discuss the year that's been and get his thoughts about where he sits at this point of the season:

R: You've had a rollercoaster of a year, with everything that's happened early in the season. With that in mind, are you happy to be where you are in the standings with 3 rounds remaining?

BA: All things considered , I'll definitely take where I am currently. I came into this season pretty set on chasing a Top 10 in the points, and thoroughly believe I could have achieved that, however fate (and my motherboard) had other ideas! A big PC failure meant after four rounds, I had a single Top 15 from Sebring, and then 2x Did Not Starts and a P32 on a borrowed Sim rig. Not exactly what I had in mind going into the season, and seeing how well Robbie especially was running sorta twisted the knife a little for me. So to already be back in the twenty in my mind is a fantastic recovery drive that I can be proud of, even if it's not what I'd hoped for the season. My pace has been really strong overall, and execution has been much, much better than last year for me... if you ignore Road Atlanta! So all in all, I'm positive about my season.

R: With only 3 races left, what are your goals before the end of the season?

BA: Sandown and Bathurst in particular I'm super keen for, alongside Rayner, I think it's the strongest Enduro lineup I've been a part of in a Supercar! We've got mega pace between us and despite getting stuffed by the Phillip Island Safety car and the risky strategy we took, I'm sure we were comfortably on for a Top 10. I'm unsure what my future with ERT looks like going into 2026, so I'm just going to try and maximize every race and hopefully give back to the team that's given me so much. I expect the final round to be at The Bend, which I'm a big fan of, so that'll hopefully let me finish on a high note this year.

R: Your speed at times this year has been impressive and probably the best of all the ERT drivers. How has the team found the new challenge of Gen 3 Supercars this season?

BA: The team and I have loved it! A lot of people have been a little critical of the car but I'm really enjoying it! The setup is a tricky one to develop as you can make wholesale changes to this car and not get anywhere, but there is still a secret sauce to it that we're all chasing. The gap to Jarrad and co obviously isn't all in the set-up, they're the class of the field for a reason, but I think we still have room to develop our equipment to help close the gap. From a driving perspective, this car is leaps and bounds better than the old car for me though.

R: How important is it for you to maintain your top 20 position and lock back into the grid for 2026?

BA: It's super important honestly. I love this series and how competitive it is, so being on the grid is my primary goal. If I do manage to execute in these last three races, it's a big advantage to start 2026 fresh, and not burnt out from the brutality of that qualifying series! But regardless of how things go, you better believe I'll be giving it my all to be on the grid for Sebring next year!


Thanks to Beau for giving us a few minutes of his time to chat about the year so far. The next race of the season is at Sandown this Friday Night for the second round of the 2025 Trueforce Enduro Cup and Beau will be back alongside Rayner Costello in a special tribute livery which you can see below. Tune in friday from 7pm AEDT at Simspeed TV to catch all the action!

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Beau Albert and Rayner Costello will be sporting a special tribute livery this Friday night

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Enduro Cup Begins with a Bang at Phillip Island

The 2025 Logitech G Trueforce Cup roared into life at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit with the perfect mix of blue skies, light breezes, and a grid packed with the finest virtual racing talent in Australia.

As the first endurance round of the Trueforce Cup component within the broader Logitech G Pro Invitational Series, anticipation was sky-high. The 500-kilometre challenge promised strategy, stamina, and split-second precision — and it delivered on every front.

The Stage - Phillip Island at Its Best

Few circuits test drivers like Phillip Island. Its high-speed corners, sweeping undulations, and notoriously abrasive surface create the ultimate proving ground for driver skill and team coordination. Add in a 500 kilometre distance, driver swaps, and tyre strategy, and you have the makings of a true endurance classic. With weather conditions stable and track temperatures moderate, the day was perfectly set for a clean but fiercely competitive race.

The grid featured 41 starters, each representing the cream of Australia’s sim-racing crop. While many teams brought experience and pedigree, others sought to make their mark in what has quickly become one of the most competitive esports racing series in the world.

Just .047 covered the top four on the grid, and amazing qualifying session where just 8 tenths covered the entire field.

Zach Rattray-White claimed an impressive maiden Pole Position

From the time the lights went out, all eyes were on the formidable combination of Jarrad Filsell and Brodie Kosteki — a duo many pegged as pre-race favourites. Starting second on the grid, their pace was immediately evident. Kostekis opening stint was surgical: consistent, aggressive when needed, and perfectly measured in traffic. However, fortune is a fickle companion in endurance racing. An unfortunately timed safety car midway through the race would undo much of their hard work.

The caution bunched up the field just as the team were one lap short of a driver swap they lost critical track position. The setback forced the team to fight back through heavy traffic, showcasing both drivers’ resilience. Despite the setback the Filsell–Kosteki duo represented Lobs Esports 94 embodied redemption to drive through the top quarter of the field to take a demanding win.

A mid race safety car caused headaches for Lobe Esports

Josh Anderson and Jake Burton had a consistent night throughout with their experience and raw speed. Starting third on the grid in an incredibly tight qualifying the TTR #36

Their success hinged on two key factors: consistent lap-times and flawless execution during pit sequences. Anderson’s opening stint was a masterclass in patience. Rather than forcing moves early, he focused on conserving tyres and maximising exit speed through the Island’s high-load corners. Once the first pit cycle began, the team’s strategy came alive. By perfectly timing their driver change and refuelling window, they gained multiple positions.

In the final stages, with less than ten laps remaining, the #94 machine found itself locked in a tense duel for the win.

The Return of a Veteran: Hamstead and Moloney on the Podium

Another major storyline came from the Trans Tasman camp, where Richard Hamstead made a long-awaited return. Partnered once again with long-time teammate Jake Moloney, the pair reminded everyone why they’ve been perennial contenders in top-tier sim racing. Their combination of experience and consistency paid dividends throughout the race.

Hamstead’s early stint was steady and precise, maintaining track position while avoiding the early-race chaos that claimed minor victims deeper in the pack. Moloney’s middle-race pace kept them within striking distance of the podium, and when strategy cycles shuffled the order late in the race, the TTR duo capitalised. Though unable to challenge for victory, their third-place finish marked a triumphant return to form and re-established their team as a force in the championship’s endurance rounds.

Moloney and Hamstead are one of the most experienced pairings in the field

Drive of the Day: The TTR #22 Miracle Run

Every endurance race has its fairy-tale comeback, and at Phillip Island, it belonged to the TTR #22 — driven by Brady Meyers and Rehan Leyange. A mechanical issue during qualifying left them stranded in 39th position on the grid, a near-impossible starting point on a circuit where overtaking opportunities are notoriously limited.

Undeterred, the duo executed a near-perfect recovery. Meyers launched the charge with a blistering first stint, carving through the field with calculated aggression. Each move was decisive, each lap an exercise in controlled speed. Once Liyanage took over, strategy became the weapon. Running slightly longer stints to avoid mid-pack traffic, they leapfrogged competitors as the race unfolded. Their combination of raw pace and tactical brilliance delivered an astonishing 4th-place finish — a drive hailed by commentators and fans alike as one of the best performances in series history.

The endurance format also offered a glimpse of the next generation of talent, none more impressive than Ryan O’Sullivan. Partnering with Ethan Grigg Gault in the Evolution Racing Team #7, O’Sullivan’s Pro-series debut was remarkable. Displaying maturity well beyond his experience, he maintained composure under pressure and delivered consistently competitive lap-times against far more seasoned competitors.

Grigg Gault’s leadership helped guide the team through the race’s more complex phases, but O’Sullivan’s poise was the story. Together, they secured a strong 5th-place finish — a result that bodes well for Evolution Racing Team’s future in the Trueforce Cup

Brady Meyers calving his way through the pack

The Eclipse Team #17, led by Zach Rattray White, stunned the paddock by claiming a shock pole position in qualifying. Their pace over a single lap was extraordinary, proving that raw speed wasn’t confined to the established giants. However, in endurance racing, fortune can be cruel. When the safety car was deployed, the #17 found itself caught on the wrong side of the split — a situation that cost them dearly in track position.

Despite the setback, Rattray White drove with admirable composure. Rather than overdriving to recover lost ground, he managed tyres and maintained consistent pace, ultimately salvaging a well-earned 8th-place finish. While not the result they had hoped for, the performance underlined the team’s potential and marked them as ones to watch in future rounds.

A remarkable feature of this year’s Phillip Island round was the near-flawless reliability across the 41-car grid. Only a single entry — the Vermillion #458 — failed to see the chequered flag. Such mechanical and mental durability speaks volumes about the level of professionalism and preparation in the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series. In a 500-kilometre race, the margin between success and heartbreak is razor-thin, and to have 40 cars finish was a testament to the collective discipline of the field.

With yet another win, Jarrad Filsell still leaves Phillip Island with his championship lead intact — and indeed extended. Thanks to consistent scoring and the misfortunes of others, he now sits comfortably ahead of teammate Andrew Gilliam, whose Lobs Esports #201 entry, co-driven by Richie Stanaway, came home in 7th. With three rounds remaining, Filsell’s path to the championship looks strong, though the unpredictability of endurance racing ensures nothing is guaranteed.

An extraordinary recovery drive helped Filsell extended his Championship lead at Phillip Island

The series now shifts focus to Sandown Raceway for Round 10 — the second leg of the Trueforce Cup. Known for its long straights, heavy braking zones, and limited overtaking areas, Sandown will present a different challenge altogether. Teams will need to adapt their setups for the circuit’s long straights and bumpy surface, while managing tyre wear and pit-stop timing with even greater precision.

Expect the rivalry between Lobs Esports and TTR to intensify as the championship battle heats up. With Filsell and Kosteki eager to maintain their Phillip Island form, and Anderson and Burton now going into the round with confidence, the stage is set for another unforgettable round.

Round 1 of the Logitech G Trueforce Enduro Cup and Round 9 of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series was everything sim-racing fans could hope for: unpredictable, strategic, and relentlessly competitive. Phillip Island once again proved why it’s revered as one of the world’s greatest circuits, and the drivers delivered a showcase of skill and endurance befitting that reputation.

From the emotional comeback of Hamstead, to the heroic charge of TTR #22, to the nail-biting finish that saw Lobs Esports 94 clinch victory by less than a second, the race encapsulated everything that makes virtual motorsport so compelling. The Trueforce Cup has set a high bar in its opening round, and if Phillip Island was any indication, the best may be yet to come.

Catch all the live action as the series continues at Sandown on October 31st, where the championship fight will enter its decisive phase.

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2025 Trueforce Enduro Cup Spotters Guide

The wait is over! The 2025 Trueforce Enduro Cup is here, and with it comes three of the biggest races of the V8PRO Invitational calendar. The Phillip Island 500, Sandown 500, and the iconic Bathurst 1000 will see solo specialists pair up with co-drivers in the ultimate test of speed, strategy, and endurance.

To help you follow all the action, we’ve put together the official 2025 Trueforce Enduro Cup Spotter’s Guide. Below, you’ll find the full entry list with every driver, co-driver, team, car number, and livery you need to know before the green flag drops. Whether you’re backing a favourite, following a team, or just want to know who’s lining up where, this guide is your one-stop companion for the biggest stretch of the season.


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Enduro Season Begins: Phillip Island 500 Launches the Trueforce Cup

You might be sitting down and thinking it’s time for another Wednesday’s worth of the best Australian Supercars competition that Sim Racing has to offer. On most other race weeks, you’d be right!

But things are a little bit different at this time of year.

Welcome to the endurance season, where part of the challenge is a super late night of racing on Friday night. 500 kilometres of gruelling, tire burning, challenging endurance racing bring fatigue to the forefront of race dynamics.

Taking a look at our regional time differences, the green flag will drop at approximately 10.30pm NZST as their clocks took a step forward over the weekend, whilst on the western side of the ditch, the race will be kicking off at 5.30pm.

Think about that in terms of driver fatigue. Damon Mulqueen made the step up into main game duties and will be the only primary driver currently affected by this, but we also see several co-drivers who will have to make the struggle for both Phillip Island and Sandown.

The championship is going to be decided by the Trueforce Endurance Cup, of that there is no doubt. Jarrad Filsell was looking confident after taking four of the first five rounds, but his issues back at Jerez have left the door ever so slightly ajar.

This is all going to come down to the Co-Drivers and how they step up to the plate.

Phillip Island host the opening round of the 2025 Trueforce Enduro Cup

Brodie Kostecki has been the best of the Co-Drivers year after year. Largely regarded as not just one of the best driving talents in the country, but also a leading force in the engineering side of things; his abilities to understand the car, data and mechanical componentry has been the difference between Lobs Esports and the rest of the field.

So from a racecraft perspective, do you chase the TrueForce Endurance Cup? Or after the last few years of drama, does someone like Filsell make the decision to lock his focus on the bigger championship picture?

Don’t forget the added spice in double points to come our way for the next three races. This story is not over by any stretch of the imagination.

  • 2022

    Sprint Format (60 laps)

    Pole - Madison Down - 1:28.114

    Winner -  Brady Meyers

  • 2023

    Super Sprint Format (2x 23 laps)

    Pole - Madison Down - 1:26.910

    Race 1 - Jake Burton

    Race 2 - Jarrad Filsell

  • 2024

    Sprint Format (57 Laps)

    Pole - Jarrad Filsell 1:27.237

    Winner - Jake Burton

2025

Endurance Format (113 Laps)

iRacing themselves say it, but I think it's never been more true: “Racing isn’t easy”.

There’s another light chance of rain for both practice, qualifying and the very earliest elements of the race. If we do see rain, it shouldn’t last any more than the first stint. It's a low chance, but the chance is there all the same.

Race management and Co-Driver management will be key. Clearing the Co-Driver time efficiently is going to be the most critical part of the process. Tyres are wearing excessively with the long loaded corners as well, so this is looking like Jerez Round 2!

Fuel mileage is in the realm of 33-36 laps depending on burn, with the potential rain threat standing to extend that if the penny lands the right way. The critical lap to get home is Lap 47 for the Co-Driver swap, then Lap 80 to get home.

Additionally, reports are coming in that Brenton Hobson will be on the injured list as well. He will be putting in minimum hours and is relying on Tom Freer to put the drives together that he has shown to be capable of over the last few years.

There are a number of intriguing driving pairings to keep an eye on too, where the co-drivers are easily capable of being in the series in their own right. 

James Scott’s outside the box recruitment of Sam Blacklock is one not to look past.

Brady Meyers has managed to recruit Ethan Warren, but at this stage Thomas Freeman is on standby duties for Phillip Island just in case. 

Wayne Bourke will be looking to leverage Broc Feeney as the Supercars Sprint Cup Champion makes his Pro Series debut. 

Damon Woods has been starting to put consistent results together, and if Gianni Lutzu shows the pace we all know he has, this could be another matchup that can win with a bit of luck.

Lastly, my dark horse for the race is Josh Anderson and his partner Jake Burton – especially given Burton won this race last year.

Regardless, it’s going to be a slogfest of looking after the equipment, the drivers, track and marbles.

Join us on Friday night at 6.45pm AEST as we get the TrueForce Endurance Cup underway!

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by Scott Rankin

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