GTC US Tour (Race Weekend 4/6)
The picturesque yet perilous Paramount Ranch played host to Round 4 of the GTC Legends Championship, where American muscle clashed with European flair on the historic, undulating tarmac of Southern California. With the championship hunt tightening and the track’s reputation for punishing even the smallest mistake, drivers were in for a demanding 60-minute showdown.
Qualifying Recap: Tight Margins at the Top
Qualifying set the tone for what would become one of the season’s most dramatic races. SDH-M ~ HappyKojot (Side Heart Motorsports) snatched pole in his Shelby Cobra 289 Hardtop with a blistering 1:28.302. Adam Celárek followed just 0.054s behind in the nimble TVR Griffith, while meisterJaeger lined up third in his Cobra Hardtop, only half a second off the pole. The session showcased the remarkable parity across the grid, with five drivers within a second of the lead.
The Race: Hawkin Takes Command in Chaos-Filled Classic
From the green flag, it was clear that Paramount Ranch would live up to its reputation. The narrow confines and technical layout saw drama unfold across the field.
Brandon Hawkin emerged victorious with a commanding drive from P3, capitalizing on pace and racecraft to outlast the chaos. He completed all 41 laps in 1:01:06.051, set the fastest race lap (1:28.663), and showed that he would have been a championship contender if he would have participated in all races.
HappyKojot, despite starting from pole, had a turbulent race involving no fewer than 14 collisions. Still, the Shelby driver held on for second, finishing 4.17 seconds behind Hawkin and preserving his championship lead.
Adam Celárek rounded out the podium. Though he matched the frontrunners on pace - even posting the fastest individual lap of the race at 1:28.018 - the Czech driver was caught up in 13 separate incidents. He crossed the line 5.468 seconds adrift of the lead.
Behind them, Nat Stevenson delivered the cleanest race of the frontrunners. Holding his 4th position from start to finish, Stevenson recorded just one collision all race - a key detail that may prove decisive as the season progresses.
One of the most thrilling moments of the race came during the middle stages, where Felix789, Kasperi Sirén, Rolf Biber, DriK, and FMG engaged in a ferocious five-car battle that lasted over 25 minutes. The group swapped positions numerous times, often running side-by-side through the tight and twisting sections of the circuit, showcasing both aggression and remarkable car control. Ultimately, Felix789 and Sirén emerged ahead, while the intense fight contributed to DriK’s eventual retirement.
Standout Performances: Movers, Survivors, and the Unlucky
Felix789 (Big Fat Racing) was undoubtedly the day’s most impressive mover. Starting 14th, he charged through the field to finish 6th, a net gain of 8 positions. His aggressive but controlled style saw him tangled in six incidents - yet it was enough to make a serious mark.
Valentin Knechtel finished a solid 5th, while Kasperi Sirén clawed up to 7th from 11th, despite a bruising 14-collision race. Rolf Biber, CoVid_Man, and FMG (who slipped from P7 to P10) rounded out the top 10.
Max Solmyr, Falling Falcon and Stefan Roess managed to finish 11th, 12th and 13th respectively, the last of the classified drivers to complete the full distance.
Meanwhile, six drivers failed to finish. Among them, DriK endured a nightmare race - dropping 9 positions before an early retirement. Others like Ryan Pandiscio, and Marko Ristic succumbed to Paramount’s punishing conditions, many suffering high-speed impacts with the environment.
Lap Pace: Consistency Wins the Day
Brandon Hawkin didn’t just win with raw pace — he won with consistency. His average clean lap was a class-leading 1:29.159, just ahead of HappyKojot (1:29.299) and Celárek (1:29.343). The top four — including Stevenson — were separated by less than three-tenths on average, showing just how competitive this grid has become.
Championship Standings: Three-Way Battle Intensifies
With just two rounds to go, the standings have tightened dramatically:
- HappyKojot – 114 pts
- Nat Stevenson – 108 pts
- Adam Celárek – 102 pts
- Kasperi Sirén – 92 pts
- FMG – 89 pts
- Valentin Knechtel – 86 pts
Hawkin’s win catapults him into the top ten, while the battle for the podium is now a matter of a single result swinging the tide. The title fight remains wide open.
Looking Ahead: Round 5 – Watkins Glen
Next up is Watkins Glen, where the sweeping esses, the notorious bus stop chicane, and long straights will challenge both driver skill and setup discipline. The championship's top three are separated by just 12 points, with Sirén, FMG, and Knechtel still within striking range.
Given the high incident count at Paramount Ranch, drivers who can balance aggression with survival — as Nat Stevenson proved — may find themselves on the better end of the result sheet. With GTC cars, unpredictable dynamics, and a high-stakes title chase, Round 5 promises fireworks.
Detailed Race Results:
https://simresults.net/remote?result=http%3a%2f%2f5.75.183.156%3a8772/results/download/2025_4_20_21_15_RACE.json