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Andrew Gilliam: 5 Keys to Success at Spa

As the drivers and teams return from the Mid-Season Break, we take a look at the venue that will host Round 5 of the championship. Andrew Gilliam analyses some key considerations for success at one of the most historic venues on the calendar, Spa Francorchamps.

Abusing track limits:

With asphalt and AstroTurf run off lining the track, it invites you to push the limits and open the corners to maximise apex speed. However, with strict track limits enforced in qualifying, those who push the limit too far will have a tough time even getting a lap on the board.

Tyre degradation:

The Holden and Ford Supercars are big, heavy, low downforce, overpowered beasts that desperately cling to the asphalt on a track designed for the highest level of speed and technical innovation. The tyres slide and protest through just about every corner causing some of the highest thermal degradation on the calendar. Managing the aggressiveness of the setup and driver will be key to having a chance to battle it out in the closing stages.

Slip stream:

With an incredibly high average speed and long straights the gains from a slip stream are huge at a track like this. With the high level of skill throughout field, the fastest driver could still struggle to make the top half of the grid if they miss out on the draft in qualifying. In the race it’s imperative you do not lose touch with the leaders, and when you are ready to battle it out, just remember those front tyres are going to go through hell and back to get you to the finish line.

Commitment:

These supercars don’t have anywhere near enough grip to take corners like Eau Rouge and Blanchimont flat out, however, there are huge rewards for those who push the limits and land millimetres from the strict track limits on the other side. You need to absolutely clobber the kerb at the top of Eau Rouge or expect the pack to fly past you down the Kemmel Straight.

Pit Stop Strategy:

With high average full throttle time and tyre degradation, the driver can make the difference in pit stop stationary time and the overcut/undercut strategy will be make or break for setting up the fight to the flag. Expect the race to be won or lost in the pits.

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2023 Qualifying Series Details Confirmed

Think you have what it takes to be amongst the very best drivers that Australia/New Zealand have to offer?

Think you can get amongst the best racing that is on offer?

For the many that have been Asking “How do I get involved?” then this is for you.

Starting February 1st, 2023, the Logitech G Pro Invitational hosts its first qualifying series to set the 2023 grid.

Four races in four weeks with the top 25 getting through to compete in the leading Supercar Sim action.
With an expanded grid, the racing in 2023 promises to be even better than this year’s drama we have already had.

Four exciting tracks that promise tight racing with plenty of passing opportunities.

We start at Phillip Island on the first of February, 44 laps of Australia’s best permanent track and home of the MotoGP.

A week later, on the 8th we head to the Brickyard, Indianapolis Road course for 35 laps of high-speed action at this iconic venue.

The home of speed, Sandown, gives us 54 laps of tight racing with round 3 on the 15th of February.

And finally, Bathurst, the most iconic circuit in Australia and the breeding ground for the V8 beats. 28 laps will decide who are the lucky ones that will compete in the 2023 Logitech G Pro Invitational Series.

How do you get involved? Keep an eye out here for all your information.

Reckon you’re good enough? The time for talking has stopped, time to start testing.

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TTR Stablemates Clash

Rule number one of racing, don’t run into your team mate! Rule number two of racing, don’t run into your team mate especially if it’s your team boss!

Well that’s exactly the situation TTR found themselves in with Madison Down and Brady Meyers.
To be fair, it was a clumsy mistake by Down, in the process of passing Meyers on lap 47 into the second chicane, clipping the inside kerb and forcing Brady into a no win situation of having to serve a slowdown by cutting the track, or contact with his team boss.

In the end, Meyers and Down would finish in the same positions as prior to the incident in fifth and sixth respectively. But it sure added excitement for the rest of us, we would have liked to have been in the TTR post-race debrief to see how it was handled, that’s for sure.

When you have a fleet of top drivers fighting for valuable results, these things will happen. Tune in for round 5 of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Supercar Series on August 31st to see TTR go at it once again!

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Stanaway Struggles at Monza

Richie Stanaway entered the series at Red Bull Ring for round three of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Supercar Series, and he made an immediate impact. 

Featuring near the front in all practice sessions, and close to netting a top 10 result on debut, you got the feeling Stanaway was going to have to be reckoned with.

When we got to Monza however, Richie was buried in the field, unable to make any real impact on the race. As a single car entry for SimBlacks, the New Zealander failed to nail his setup and qualifying position, ultimately relegating him to fighting in the mid pack all night. 

"Finishing 23rd, over a minute off the lead will motivate Richie..."

Finishing 23rd, over a minute off the lead will motivate Richie, and the 2017 Sandown 500 winner will be working hard to vault back up the field and make a real impact in the coming races.

Richie will be back, he is one of the most credentialed drivers in the series. Watch out for Richie when the series resumes August 31st from Belgium.

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Gardiner Ruing Wrong Setup Direction

Griffin Gardiner had become a staple of top ten results so far this season, featuring at the front part of the field in all rounds up until Monza. 

But Gardiner will be ruing a more conservative approach to setup by running more rear wing than most which hampered his speed trap numbers.

After Qualifying, Gardiner was still within striking distance of retaining his perfect record in the top 10, but it would ultimately slip away after an early race battle with Gilliam, neither happy to let the other lead their pack. The battle left their draft pack too far back from the cars in front, and when Griffin lost the draft, his straight line speed was insufficient to maintain his lead.

Once the Vendaval driver had to battle at the end of the race, his straight line speed really hurt his ability to finish stronger than 16th. Still maintaining a strong sixth in the title chase, Gardiner will be looking to resume his mortgage on a top 10 result when the series resumes at Spa on August 31st!

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