Some weeks ago Pimax told me that they sent me a Crystal Super for testing. When the headset arrived, I was surprised to receive two units. The second headset was just a backup in case of issues - a nice touch, though I never needed it. After several weeks of testing, mostly in Assetto Corsa, here’s what I discovered:
First Impressions & Comfort
Compared to the Crystal Lightwhich I tested some months ago, the first thing I noticed was the build quality. The Crystal Super feels like a premium product: solid construction, excellent materials, and a more balanced weight distribution.
In terms of build quality they even added DMA earphones to the package, which can easily be attached to the Crystal Super and deliver great sound once mounted. (A small screwdriver was included in the box for this purpose 😉 )
Comfort is a huge step forward. The included thicker face foam (15 instead of 11mm) fit my head shape perfectly, allowing me to drive 90-minute stints without pressure points. An alternative head strap was also included, so you can perfectly adjust the Crystal Super’s comfort to your own needs. The automatic IPD adjustment was a welcome upgrade, meaning I could just put the headset on and get going.
Visual Clarity & Performance
This headset is all about visual immersion. With 3840×3840 per-eye QLED panels (up to 57 PPD) and glass lenses, the Crystal Super delivers razor-sharp detail. The eye-tracking dynamically optimizes rendering - when supported - and keeps the center of vision crystal clear.
In single-player races, I was running 72 Hz with smooth frame times. Cars, track textures, and even distant curbs looked lifelike.
But here’s the reality check: in full-grid races with 20+ cars, performance took a hit. My rig (Ryzen 7 5800X3D + RTX 4070 Ti) couldn’t hold frame pacing at higher refresh rates without dropping settings. Assetto Corsa doesn’t yet support true dynamic foveated rendering, so you can’t fully benefit from eye-tracked performance gains. Fixed foveated rendering (via OpenXR Toolkit) helps, but it’s no magic bullet.
Crystal Super vs. Crystal Light (Key Specs)
Feature
Crystal Super
Crystal Light
Resolution per eye
3840×3840 (QLED/Mini-LED)
2880×2880
PPD
50–57
~35
FOV (horizontal)
~127° (up to ~135° in Labs mode)
~115°
Eye-tracking
Yes, with DFR support
No
IPD
Motorized / Auto
Manual
Price
~US $1,700+
~US $900
What Others Are Saying
MRTV praised its “best-in-class clarity,” strong contrast, and wide FOV, while noting a slightly smaller sweet spot than pancake-lens headsets.
Boosted Media loved the sharpness and immersion but warned that you need serious GPU power for full grids or high settings.
Community feedback echoes this: the Super is “future-proof,” but GPU-limited users might be better off with the more affordable Light.
Tips for Sim Racers
Match your GPU to your ambitions. For large grids at high refresh rates, think RTX 4080/4090 or equivalent.
Use upscaling & fixed foveated rendering where possible - they help squeeze more performance from mid-tier GPUs.
Fine-tune your rig setup. Comfort adjustments (foam, straps, seating position) pay off in long sessions.
Watch for updates. As more sims support dynamic foveated rendering, the Crystal Super’s performance advantage will grow.
Final Verdict
For serious sim racers, the Crystal Super is an immersive powerhouse. The visual upgrade over the Light is undeniable - sharper, brighter, and more comfortable. But its full potential shines only if your PC can keep up.
If you have a high-end GPU and want the clearest, widest VR view available today, the Crystal Super is a compelling choice. For racers on tighter budgets (or with mid-tier GPUs), the Crystal Light remains a very strong option.
For reference > The article about my PIMAX Crystal Light test
Sure, there are other competitors in the market, but I only have direct contact to PIMAX. Therefore I decided to ask them and the above interview highlights the advantages of Pimax headsets.
THR has direct contat to PIMAX, cause months ago PIMAX asked us for a partnership. We show their logos on our Website and in our streams and they offer us support and an Affiliate Link which gives you a 3% discount and THR receives a small provision per order, which we use to run our servers, etc.
If you are interested in purchasing a new headset, you can use the following affiliate links to receive the 3% discount.
Porcu’s complete campaign, Masse’s relentless consistency, and FMG’s fightback define a vintage year
Six weekends, two continents, and one of the most enjoyable seasons the THR paddock has staged. From Monza’s old‑school draft battles to the concrete canyons of Long Beach and the high‑commitment sweepers of Watkins Glen, the 1979 calendar asked everything of the drivers: precision, race‑craft, patience and pace. With the drop‑score rule in effect (each driver’s worst finish discarded) and the 40‑37‑34‑31‑30‑29… points system, the title picture swung back and forth until the American finale.
The big picture
Champion: Simone Porcu — 194 pts Porcu’s season had the ring of inevitability about it: wins at Monza, Jarama, and a title‑sealing masterclass at Watkins Glen, backed by second places at Hockenheim and Monaco. His Long Beach DNS became the perfect drop. The clincher came in the U.S., where he led from the front and signed off with the poise of a champion.
Runner‑up: Florian Masse — 176 pts No wins, but competitive everywhere. Back‑to‑back seconds to open the year (Monza, Long Beach), a podium at Hockenheim, and resilient scoring across the calendar—only Monaco (DNF) interrupted the rhythm. The hallmark of his year was pressure without waste: he was almost always the first car in the leader’s mirrors.
Third overall: FMG — 166 pts A season of momentum. After a zero in Italy, FMG rebuilt with a podium at Jarama, a statement win at Hockenheim, and solid points in Monaco and Watkins Glen. On raw pace he often matched the title protagonists; the difference was the early stumble he ultimately had to drop.
Fourth & fifth: gilvil77 (160 pts) and Richard Rossier (142 pts) gilvil77 was the story-maker—front‑row pace and a door‑to‑door edge, capped by a Monaco podium and a superb run to second at the Glen. Rossier, meanwhile, was the quiet constant: smart race management and clean execution kept the Swiss Buddy Racing driver in the top five at year’s end.
Round‑by‑round: how the title was won
Monza – Porcu draws first blood Calm from pole, fastest lap for emphasis, and a decisive response when the elastic stretched mid‑race. It set the tone: if you wanted this title, you had to beat the No. 1 on merit.
Long Beach – Jayden HW arrives with a bang A street‑racing clinic from pole to flag. Masse kept him honest, and the first hints of the year’s patterns emerged: Porcu’s DNS became his drop, Masse banked big points, and FMG’s P4 steadied the ship.
Jarama – Porcu’s precision A race that rewarded rhythm. Porcu executed it perfectly under shadow from Masse, while FMG pieced together the tidy podium that put him into the title conversation.
Hockenheim – FMG’s day Pole, control, and the nerve to resist Porcu’s fastest‑lap charge over the final tours. The victory knotted the chase behind the leader and confirmed FMG’s late‑season form.
Monaco – Jayden again; gilvil77 stars Clean air wins in Monte Carlo; Jayden made no mistakes and set the tempo. Behind, gilvil77 fought through the chaos for the podium while Porcu banked second‑place championship points.
Watkins Glen – The coronation Porcu’s wire‑to‑wire authority settled the math and the mood. gilvil77 and Masse finished line‑astern behind, but the No. 1’s control was never in question.
By the numbers
Winners: Porcu (3), Jayden HW (2), FMG (1).
Most podiums: Porcu & Masse.
Comeback drive of the year: gilvil77’s recovery runs at Monza and his robust podium in Monaco.
Title margin (after drop‑score): Porcu by 18 over Masse; 10 from Masse to FMG.
Congratulations & thanks from THR Orga
On behalf of THR Orga, congratulations to our championship podium: 🥇 Simone Porcu — 1979 THR F1 Champion 🥈 Florian Masse — Runner‑up 🥉 FMG — Third overall
A heartfelt thank you to every driver who turned laps with us this season—whether you contested every round or dropped in for a few, you made the grid deeper and the racing better. Your racecraft, patience with traffic, and good humour in the voice channels are what make this series special.
From Monza to Watkins Glen, you gave us six weekends of exactly why we race: close fights, clean respect, and just enough chaos to keep the stories coming. We can’t wait to see you back on the grid for the next chapter. Until then - keep it pinned, keep it tidy, and see you in the warm‑up!
You want to dig in deeper?
Find all the Championship Information, Livestreams, RaceReports and Stats following this link:
Simone Porcu arrived at Watkins Glen needing only to avoid drama to wrap up the 1979 crown — and instead delivered a champion’s flourish. From pole, the PRC Racing Team driver controlled 60 minutes of green‑flag running, winning the 39‑lap finale in 60:50.014 with a best lap of 1:32.062, a dozen seconds clear of the pack.
The start & stint one
The front row — Porcu and gilvil77 — got away cleanly and immediately gapped Florian Masse. With clear air, Porcu sat in the low 1:32s and never looked back, his rhythm defining the race’s upper pace window. gilvil77 matched the leader on outright speed (best 1:32.596) but didn’t have the raw delta to threaten; he settled into a measured chase in P2.
Masse’s TH Racing entry held P3 throughout the opening phase, circulating a safe few seconds back of gilvil77 (best 1:32.866). The leading trio ran nose‑to‑tail on strategy — flat‑out sprints punctuated only by traffic management as the hour wore on.
Mid‑race movers
The one place change inside the top five came from FMG, who started fifth and rose to fourth, then consolidated with a tidy, no‑mistakes stint. His best of 1:33.060 and an aggregate 61:21.977 kept him in touch with the podium train but out of reach of a top‑three shootout.
Behind, Richard Rossier made the most headway. Eighth on the grid, the Swiss Buddy Racing driver picked off midfielders in the opening run, then profited when others faded to bank P5. He finished one lap down in 61:28.275 (best 1:35.451), beating pitman by just over five seconds among the 38‑lap finishers.
The hard luck story
Davide Saiu qualified on the second row and looked the only likely disruptor to FMG for fourth, clocking a sharp 1:33.038 early on. His run ended abruptly after 26 laps — a retirement that turned the top five into a stalemate to the flag.
The run to the flag
Porcu’s lead stretched to 12.178s at the flag over gilvil77 (61:02.192), with Masse a further 7.766s down in third (61:09.958). FMG locked P4 (61:21.977), and Rossier completed the top five one lap in arrears. pitman (P6) and kuanza (P7) also finished 38 laps; Vinz took P8 on 37 laps after slipping behind during the closing traffic cycles.
Top five — official (39 laps)
Simone Porcu — 60:50.014, best 1:32.062.
gilvil77 — 61:02.192, best 1:32.596.
Florian Masse — 61:09.958, best 1:32.866.
FMG — 61:21.977, best 1:33.060.
Richard Rossier — 61:28.275 (38 laps), best 1:35.451.
Fastest of the non‑finishers:Davide Saiu 1:33.038 before retiring on lap 26.
How the finale shaped the Championship (drop‑score applied)
Champion — Simone Porcu (194 pts): Wins at Monza, Jarama and Watkins Glen, plus podiums elsewhere, make the drop round (a DNS at Long Beach) irrelevant. Watkins Glen’s victory adds a full 40 points and puts an emphatic stamp on the title.
Runner‑up — Florian Masse (176 pts): P3 here nets 34 points and secures second overall.
3rd — FMG (166 pts): The Hockenheim winner’s P4 at the Glen adds 31 more to lock third.
4th — gilvil77 (160 pts): A strong P2 (37 points) ends the season just shy of the top three after an earlier DNS meant his drop score was already spent.
5th — Richard Rossier (142 pts): P5 in the finale (29 points) caps a consistent closing stretch.
Reporter’s notes
Pole to flag: Porcu converted qualifying domination into a wire‑to‑wire win; his best race lap (1:32.062) was marginally faster than the chasers’ peaks — the decisive edge across a long run.
One mover in the top five: FMG’s rise from P5 to P4 was the only change among the leaders on merit; the other shake‑up came via Saiu’s retirement.
Traffic discipline: With lapped cars entering the equation after the half‑hour mark, Rossier’s measured pacing (and minimal errors) were key to nailing fifth among a trio of 38‑lap finishers.
Jayden HW tames the streets as Porcu extends his title grip
The glamour and peril of Monaco once again delivered a drama-laden spectacle. In a race defined by millimetres from the guardrails and relentless pressure, Jayden HW claimed his second win of the season from pole. Championship leader Simone Porcu followed home in second to consolidate his advantage, while gilvil77 nursed his machine to third after a bruising afternoon that saw multiple rivals clipped by the barriers.
Qualifying & grid Jayden HW planted his car on pole with Simone Porcu alongside and Florian Masse third. Behind them sat gilvil77 in P4, FMG in P5 and Eetu Karjunen in P7. On a street circuit that punishes over‑reach, the front‑row starters already had the one commodity everyone else wanted: clean air.
The start and early laps
Jayden’s launch was crisp and, save for a light brush with the guardrail in the opening minutes, he never looked flustered (minor wall kisses are logged for the pole‑sitter at 1756671812 and again seconds later, both without consequence).
Behind, the fight for the final podium place flared immediately. Three separate touches between gilvil77 and Florian Masse—first in the early sequence and again around the harbour area a few minutes later—frayed tempers and front wings. Those contacts proved decisive for the order behind the top two and ultimately compromised Masse’s afternoon.
Jayden checks out
Once clear of the first stint of traffic, Jayden settled into a relentless rhythm. He recorded the race’s fastest lap at 1:27.378, a marker of how comfortably he was operating on the limit. By the flag his total elapsed time was 61:07.873 for 41 laps, enough to win by +43.014 s over Porcu (41 laps in 61:50.887).
The podium fight
Porcu didn’t have an answer for the leader but drove with championship smarts, keeping the walls at bay and banking maximum damage‑limitation points in P2. Behind, gilvil77 emerged from the early sparring to secure P3 on the road—41 laps in 62:29.973, +82.100 s to the winner—after surviving further scrapes while clearing traffic.
Best of the rest
Eetu Karjunen ran a quietly excellent race. Starting outside the top five, he kept it tidy, avoided Monaco’s usual booby traps and rose to P4, one lap down (40 laps in 61:44.925). Stefano Bucci brought it home P5 (40 laps in 62:29.191), completing a disciplined day for the midfielders who kept their noses clean.
Just outside the top five, Richard Rossier (39 laps in 61:43.063), pitman (39 laps in 61:51.988) and FMG (39 laps in 62:12.736) filled P6–P8 after trading places through traffic in the final third.
It was tougher for two of the headline names: Florian Masse retired early after 26 laps (40:02.461)—the earlier contact never fully shook out—and kuanza parked it after six laps.
Official top five (Monaco)
Jayden HW — 41 laps, 61:07.873 (FL 1:27.378).
Simone Porcu — 41 laps, 61:50.887 (+43.014).
gilvil77 — 41 laps, 62:29.973 (+1:22.100).
Eetu Karjunen — 40 laps, 61:44.925.
Stefano Bucci — 40 laps, 62:29.191.
(Selected incidents: Jayden’s early wall rubs; multiple gilvil77–Masse contacts that shaped the P3 battle.)
Championship implications (drop‑score applied)
The points system pays 40–37–34–31–30–29… downwards. With the single drop race rule (each driver’s worst score to date discarded), Monaco tightens the fight behind the leader:
Simone Porcu extends his lead with P2 at Monaco: 154 pts from the first five weekends (40 [Monza] + 40 [Jarama] + 37 [Hockenheim] + 37 [Monaco], dropping the Long Beach DNS).
Florian Masse stays second on 142 (37 + 37 + 34 + 34; drops Monaco’s zero).
FMG rises to 135 (drops the Monza DNF/zero).
gilvil77 moves to 123, the Monaco podium erasing his earlier DNS.
Eetu Karjunen’s P4 pushes him into the top five on 117.
Jayden HW, brilliant again with a second win from limited appearances, sits on 80 (two wins, three DNFs/DNS), a headline figure that underlines just how decisive full‑season attendance is under drop‑score rules.
Verdict
This was classic Monaco: the guardrails framed the story, and discipline decided it. Jayden authored the perfect street‑race script—clean air, controlled pace, one electric fastest lap—and Porcu banked the kind of second place that wins titles. The podium shoot‑out between gilvil77 and Masse, punctuated by repeated contact, was the flashpoint; Karjunen and Bucci were the day’s quiet over‑achievers.
If the Principality proved anything, it’s that the championship will likely be settled by who combines outright speed with streetwise prudence—traits Porcu showed in abundance even as Jayden stole the show.
Hey THR, as many of you know, I’ve been using the HP Reverb G2 for a long time. Since Microsoft discontinued support for Windows Mixed Reality, I’ve been asking myself what this means for the future - especially because I haven’t yet upgraded to Windows 11 in order to keep my G2 fully functional. To get clearer answers and share them with you, I decided to take these questions directly to Rica, one of my contacts at Pimax. Rica is the Community Representative from the Overseas Marketing & Sales Department. Here’s the interview we had for you.
[THR] pitman: Hey Rica, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. Rica (PIMAX): No problem. It´s a pleasure to have this direct contact to you and your THR community.
pitman: Hey Rica, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. I’ve been using the HP Reverb G2 myself for quite some time, and I know many other sim racers still rely on it as well. It was a huge step when I bought it and replaced my Lenovo Explorer Headset. The sharp visuals and the easy setup gave me a wow-effect from the first moment on. But Microsoft officially ended development of Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) in 2023. As a G2 user, I’m really wondering how to deal with this change. So far, I haven’t upgraded to Windows 11 because keeping my Reverb G2 fully functional was more important to me. What does this situation mean for users like me? Rica: That’s a crucial concern. While it’s still possible to run the G2 using SteamVR bridges and manual runtime installations, WMR is no longer being developed. This means future Windows updates - particularly after 2026 - could break compatibility. So G2 owners are facing uncertainty.
pitman: Yes, that´s the reason why I think of replacing my G2. Pimax kindly provided me with a Crystal Light for testing, and I’ve already shared my impressions in this article: https://thracing.de/racing-in-vr-is-like-putting-on-a-helmet-with-the-pimax-crystal-light-its-crystal-clear/. But to get your perspective, what do you see as the main reasons why the PIMAX Crystal Light is a good alternative now? Rica: There are several major advantages:
First, it runs on our actively developed Pimax Play platform, which has native OpenXR support and ongoing updates.
Second, it’s a big leap in visual quality: the G2 offered 2160×2160 pixels per eye, while the Crystal Light delivers 2880×2880 - a 72% increase. Plus, it uses QLED panels with MiniLED local dimming, which means richer colors, deeper blacks, and much higher contrast.
And third, it integrates smart rendering features like Fixed Foveated Rendering and Quad-View Rendering, which help maintain performance without overloading the GPU.
pitman: Speaking of visuals, during my own test I was especially amazed by the clarity of the graphics on the Crystal Light compared to the G2. One common complaint about the G2 is the limited sweet spot and lens artifacts like god rays. How does the Crystal Light improve on this? Rica: Exactly. The Reverb G2 used Fresnel lenses, which produce glare and have a narrow sweet spot. The Crystal Light uses aspheric glass lenses instead. These deliver a much larger clear viewing area, with minimal glare and distortion. This makes the experience more natural and comfortable, especially during long races.
pitman: Comfort and audio are also important for sim racers. To be honest, my own experience was mixed at first: while I always found the G2 very comfortable, the Crystal Light initially pressed uncomfortably on the bridge of my nose - probably due to my head shape. Only after Pimax sent me a thicker 15 mm foam insert did the comfort improve significantly. How would you compare the two headsets in terms of comfort and audio? Rica: Ah, that’s interesting. Comfort can definitely vary depending on head shape and fit, and that’s why we provide different face foams to adjust the experience. As you noticed, the thicker foam can make a big difference. The G2’s off-ear speakers were very well regarded, and we wanted to provide flexibility. With the Crystal Light, you can either use your own headphones through the 3.5mm jack, or opt for our DMAS off-ear speaker modules, which deliver immersive spatial audio comparable to — and in some cases better than - the G2. In terms of overall balance, the Crystal Light is slightly heavier, but its improved weight distribution reduces facial pressure for many users, making longer sessions more comfortable once the right fit is achieved.
pitman: Ok. What about compatibility? Do G2 users like me need to change their setup or accessories? Rica: Not at all. If you’re used to the G2, you’ll feel right at home. The Crystal Light offers a native DisplayPort connection, full SteamVR compatibility, and supports both inside-out and Lighthouse tracking. You can continue using the same accessories, games, and sim profiles. The workflow stays familiar - but the overall experience is significantly upgraded.
pitman: Final question, how have other G2 users responded after making the switch? Rica: The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Many say the Crystal Light feels like the most natural upgrade - offering sharper visuals, better comfort, and peace of mind knowing they’re no longer tied to WMR. For a lot of sim racers, it’s the logical next step in their VR journey.
[THR] pitman: Rica, thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions today. Rica (PIMAX): You’re very welcome, it was a pleasure.
Sure, there are other competitors in the market, but I only have direct contact to PIMAX. Therefore I decided to ask them and the above interview highlights the advantages of Pimax headsets.
THR has direct contat to PIMAX, cause months ago PIMAX asked us for a partnership. We show their logos on our Website and in our streams and they offer us support and an Affiliate Link which gives you a 3% discount and THR receives a small provision per order, which we use to run our servers, etc.
If you are interested in purchasing a new headset, you can use the following affiliate links to receive the 3% discount.
FMG holds his nerve to claim first win as Porcu’s charge falls short
The vast straights of Hockenheim’s forest section promised a slipstream battle, and the race delivered a tactical thriller. FMG, starting from pole, controlled the pace with metronomic precision, fending off a relentless Simone Porcu. At the flag just 1.9 seconds split them, with Florian Masse completing the podium after surviving a bruising start.
Qualifying: FMG lays down a marker
Saturday saw FMG stamp authority on proceedings, taking pole with a 1:53.256, ahead of Porcu (1:53.624) and Eetu Karjunen (1:53.675). Masse, fourth with a 1:53.908, had the pace to be in the fight but needed a clean first lap to capitalize.
The race
Start and first-lap fireworks When the lights went out, FMG got away cleanly, Porcu slotting into his slipstream. Behind, chaos: Eduardo Beninca, Masse, and Nat Stevenson all tangled in the stadium section within the opening minute, scattering debris and unsettling Masse’s rhythm. Stevenson’s afternoon would unravel further—an off into the barriers at minute 4 left him nursing damage before retiring mid-distance.
Porcu applies pressure The duel for the win crystallized by lap 5. Porcu, his Lotus-liveried Prc Racing Team car visibly trimmed out for top speed, shadowed FMG at every split. On lap 10, Porcu set the fastest tour of the day: 1:54.447, underlining the Italian’s intent. But FMG never cracked—his lines through the second chicane and Ostkurve exit consistently rebuilt the gap before the stadium.
Masse rebuilds, Karjunen hangs on Shaken from the early contact, Masse steadied himself. A string of 1:55-lows re-established his podium claim, eventually gapping Karjunen. The Finn briefly threatened in the first stint but couldn’t match Masse’s consistency.
Meisinger impresses Quietly, Simon Meisinger delivered one of his sharpest drives yet, staying with the leaders’ pace. His best lap, 1:54.807, showed he had the outright speed, and fifth place with over an hour of error-free running was reward for precision.
Late incidents Drama wasn’t confined to the start. Around the 50-minute mark, Ramen Grosjeant clashed with Karjunen in the stadium, both limping home with battered machinery. Beninca, after his early clash, retired after just 4 laps, while Stevenson and Grosjeant joined the non-finishers’ column later on.
Provisional classification – Top 5 (32 laps)
FMG — 61:47.550 (best lap 1:54.488)
Simone Porcu — 61:49.498 (+1.948s, fastest lap 1:54.447)
Florian Masse — 62:13.674 (+26.124s)
Eetu Karjunen — 62:46.220 (+58.670s)
Simon Meisinger — 62:48.858 (+1:01.308)
Championship picture (drop-score applied)
With the scoring system (P1 40, P2 37, P3 34, P4 31, P5 30, P6 29…), the standings after Hockenheim and the drop-race rule are:
Porcu retains the lead thanks to two victories, but FMG’s Hockenheim triumph vaults him level with Masse. The championship narrative is now clear: a three-way fight, with Porcu’s consistency giving him the edge, but FMG and Masse armed with both speed and momentum.
Reporter’s notebook
FMG’s metronomy: 20 of his 32 laps were within three-tenths of each other.
Porcu’s chicane conundrum: consistently gained on straights but lost vital tenths through the second chicane.
Masse’s grit: salvaged a podium after lap-one chaos; those points may prove golden in the title chase.
Unsung hero: Meisinger’s 1:54.8 best lap was on par with Porcu; a podium looks within reach if attrition swings his way.
We could not have wished for a more sensational start to the 2025 season of historic simracing at THR. Once again, we embarked on a grueling 6 hour race - this time with three classes - around a period-correct representation of the world's most famous endurance race track. Using a quadruple time progression multiplier, our participants got a compressed taste of what it could have felt like to participate in the world's most famous 24 hour race in the 1960s.
With a record crowd of 135 drivers from 10 communities sharing 52 historic Prototype & GT race cars from the mid-1960s, the THR 6 Heures du Mans 2025 has surpassed last year's edition as the biggest endurance race in THR history. Unbelievably, the entry list had run out of vacant slots within just 3:40h of opening the registrations, rapidly necessitating the addition of a waiting list.
Welcome to the official report of a race for the history books.
Expression of Gratitude
None of this would have been possible without the dedication and enthusiasm of drivers, teams, and countless supporters. We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who took part in this event. Whether you were behind the wheel, supporting a team, or simply watching and cheering from the sidelines, you played a vital role in making this event a success.
A special thank you also goes out to our incredible commentators (PirateLaserBeam, Akashic, Guido, Thomas, and Jascha), who brought the race to life with their expert analysis and engaging coverage. Their efforts made both the English and German live broadcasts highly enjoyable for our audience. Additionally, we are especially grateful to GPLaps, who not only participated in the race but also streamed the event from his Matra's cockpit, bringing the excitement of historic endurance simracing to an even wider audience. Syndicate Motorsport's team Hawk additionally provided a front-row seat into their early hour-long fight for 2nd place, livestreaming from the cockpit of their #98 Chaparral 2F.
These streams combined had amassed an incredible 26,000 views within just a week and eclipsed more than 30,000 views at the time of this report's publishing, highlighting the strong appeal of vintage sim racing and the growing interest in this genre.
Seeing such enthusiasm and engagement is truly fantastic!
We also want to thank our generous sponsors for their amazing prizes that were raffled after the victory lane interviews with the podium finishing teams:
Here comes the full report to tell the story of this amazing event, featuring plenty of screenshots & videos provided by the participants. Sit back, grab your favourite beverage of choice, and enjoy the read!
For the last several years we have run time trials during the Summer Break to keep our drivers entertained. This year we have decided to do something different and have created a fun championship.
Building on the interest in the Clio Rookie Trophy that Valentin ran as a support series to the TTM last autumn, we have created the 'Toyota AE86 THR Academy'. This will be used after the summer break on Friday evenings for a fun support series, aimed primarily at any new, inexperienced or improving drivers - although normal members will also be welcome.
For the Summer Cup however the focus is on FUN here over outright racing - as a result we will use the 1980's road compound for the tires. They don't have much grip but you can rescue yourself from some pretty daft angles with much more ease. Going fast also requires a great deal of care and balance, drifting is fun - but it's also not very fast! As the server will be automated to save on admin both the saturday practice race and the Sunday main event will feature 2x 30 minute races with the second race having a top 10 reversed grid. Due to the way that server manager works this means qualifying will have to be performed immediately before the races 'on the night'.
I want to thank @fmg.122 for bringing up this idea and his research! We hope you join us for some summer fun!
Porcu converts pole; title picture tightens behind him
Jarama’s short, coiled ribbon often rewards precision over bravado, and on Sunday it produced exactly that kind of race. Pole‑sitter Simone Porcu made it look almost clinical—absorbing pressure in the opening minutes, then edging away to win—while Florian Masse shadowed him to the flag. Behind them, FMG stitched together a measured recovery to complete the podium, with Richard Rossier and Max Solmyr rounding out the top five.
Qualifying: a low‑1:20s shootout
The top ten in qualifying set the tone: Porcu on pole with a 1:20.377, just ahead of gilvil77 (1:20.530), Ali Rıza Tuncel (1:20.583) and Florian Masse (1:20.598). Solmyr, Rossier, Nat Stevenson, Dale Ballweg, Aitor Montero and FMG completed a grid that promised elbows‑out racing into Turn 1.
Start and first‑lap chaos
Jarama rarely lets an entire field tip‑toe through Lap 1, and this start was no exception. Within the first 0:03–0:05, Dale Ballweg and Max Solmyr clashed twice in the Turn‑1/Turn‑2 sequence, Ballweg also nudging the barriers—classic accordion contact as the pack pinched together.
Seconds later—still on the opening lap—kuanza, Solmyr, and FMG traded paint in a three‑way chain reaction as the field climbed the hill, a brief scare that everyone somehow survived.
The first lap continued to bite: around 0:46–0:47, Florian Masse brushed the outside and Nat Stevenson met the wall one corner later, both incidents minor but momentum‑sapping.
Porcu vs. Masse: pressure without payoff
Once the race exhaled, Porcu settled into a metronomic rhythm in the low‑1:21s. He even stamped in the race’s fastest lap—1:21.305—mid‑distance, just as the tires and fuel burn hit their sweet spot.
Masse never let the elastic snap. For long stretches he hovered a couple of seconds back, close enough to keep the leader honest and far enough to preserve his fronts in the long, loaded right‑handers. The pair’s duel had the shape of a chess endgame rather than a knife fight—Jarama’s narrow lines and matching pace making the difference more about millimetres than moves. (Official timing lists Porcu ahead of Masse in the final classification. )
The podium fight: FMG’s tidy rebuild
Starting outside the front rows, FMG had work to do after that lap‑one squeeze. Once the field spread, his laptimes stabilized in the 1:21–1:22 bracket and he picked off rivals steadily. By the second half he had clear air, managed the tires, and protected third all the way to the chequer. His stint included several tidy laps in the 1:21.8–1:22.4 window (e.g., 1:21.859 around mid‑race), the sort of consistency Jarama rewards.
Richard Rossier (P4) and Max Solmyr (P5) survived that bruising first lap to bank heavy points. Rossier’s day wasn’t spotless—he was in the thick of the opening skirmishes too—but his average pace and traffic management were enough to keep Solmyr behind when it mattered.
Fastest lap and notable retirements
While Porcu owned the win, gilvil77 was frequently the quickest car not named Simone—clocking repeated low‑1:21s (e.g., 1:21.541 and 1:21.710 while chasing in clean air).
A handful of would‑be scorers fell away:
Dale Ballweg retired early after 5 laps, his race ending around 7:31.892.
Nat Stevenson was out after 19 laps (about 27:11), his Turn‑2 wall strike from the opening minutes foreshadowing a short afternoon.
Ali Rıza Tuncel, so sharp in qualifying, lasted 32 laps (roughly 46:55), then parked it—promising pace that never translated.
Provisional top five (Jarama)
Simone Porcu — lights‑to‑flag control (fastest lap 1:21.305).
Florian Masse — pressure without a passing lane.
FMG — calm rebuild after Lap‑1 contact.
Richard Rossier — tidy damage‑limitation drive.
Max Solmyr — recovered from the opening‑lap scuffle.
What it means for the championship (drop‑score applied)
With the series scoring 40‑37‑34‑31‑30‑29… and a drop race rule (worst result discarded), the table after Round 3 shakes out like this for the leading group:
Richard Rossier — 57 pts (Monza 26, Long Beach 26 [one 26 dropped], Jarama 31)
In short: Porcu’s second win from three puts him clearly in command once the DNS is dropped; Masse stays within one result; FMG launches himself into the frame with a podium; and steady scoring keeps gilvil77 and Rossier in touch as the tour heads to Hockenheim.
