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The Stardust Circuit played host to an unforgettable Grand Prix, filled with tactical brilliance, collisions, and the kind of narrative arcs that only motorsport can write. Across 34 intense laps, the 16-car grid delivered a race of attrition, audacity, and high-stakes action.

meisterJaeger’s Tactical Masterclass

Driving a Shelby Cobra 289 Hardtop, meisterJaeger launched from P2 and wasted no time settling into a rhythm. While SDH-M ~ HappyKojot led the opening seven laps from pole, meisterJaeger remained glued to his rear bumper. In lap 8, he found the perfect opportunity and sliced into the lead, executing a calculated overtake that would define the next phase of the race.

But his reign at the front wasn’t uninterrupted. On lap 10, Adam Celárek, at the wheel of a snarling TVR Griffith Series 200, mounted a stunning charge and briefly took over the lead. Yet meisterJaeger stayed composed. It took another ten laps, but in lap 20, he reclaimed P1 – and this time, he never let go. From that point on, his Cobra was untouchable, cruising to victory with surgical consistency.

HappyKojot: Strong Start, Epic Finish

Behind the leader, SDH-M ~ HappyKojot, piloting also a Cobra, looked dominant in the opening laps, confidently leading from pole position. After dropping to P3 mid-race, he fought back hard in the final stint.

The closing laps of the race saw the birth of a legendary three-way battle: HappyKojot, Nat Stevenson (Cobra 289 Hardtop), and Adam Celárek swapped positions multiple times in a breathtaking display of side-by-side racing, bravery under braking, and clean wheel-to-wheel combat. The three ran nose-to-tail for several laps, trading P2, P3, and P4 through both straights and technical sectors.

In the end, it was HappyKojot who held firm and crossed the line in second, fending off late dives and switchback attempts in what can only be described as the highlight battle of the race.

Nat Stevenson: Calculated Brilliance Under Pressure

Stevenson, calm and sharp behind the wheel of his Cobra, played the long game. While he never led the race, his strategy and composure in the closing battle allowed him to capitalize on Celárek’s small missteps and take P3 on the final lap.

Celárek’s Rollercoaster: From Glory to Grief

Adam Celárek, in his distinctive TVR, was one of the fastest cars on track. He briefly held the lead, fought for the podium, and engaged in one of the race’s fiercest battles. But it wasn’t all clean: his race was peppered with minor collisions, including a tangle with Kasperi Sirén in lap 4, and later with Stevenson and HappyKojot in laps 34 and 35. These incidents ultimately cost him the podium, leaving him in P4, but his aggressive spirit left an impression.

Notable Incidents & Position Drops

  • Kasperi Sirén, driving a Bizzarrini GT 5300 Corsa, lost two positions in lap 4 after a collision with Pedro Ramada.

Quiet But Efficient: Felix789 & FMG

While the spotlight shone on the front-runners, Felix789 and FMG quietly climbed the field with well-managed stints. Felix789, in particular, avoided all major incidents and delivered a clean drive, eventually finishing in the top third of the field.

Final Top 5

  1. meisterJaeger – Strategic, composed, and dominant after lap 20. (Shelby Cobra 289 Hardtop)
  2. SDH-M ~ HappyKojot – Pole starter, strong recovery, and podium savior. (Shelby Cobra 289 Hardtop)
  3. Nat Stevenson – Smart, patient, and clinical under pressure. (Shelby Cobra 289 Hardtop)
  4. Adam Celárek – Fierce and fast, but troubled. (TVR Griffith Series 200)
  5. Kasperi Sirén – Consistency rewarded. (Bizzarrini GT 5300 Corsa)

Conclusion

The Stardust Grand Prix was everything fans hoped for and more: overtakes, strategy, collisions, and a final-lap showdown for the ages. While meisterJaeger emerged the winner, it was the closing duel between HappyKojot, Stevenson, and Celárek that stole the spotlight.


Detailed Race Results
https://simresults.net/remote?result=http%3a%2f%2f5.75.183.156%3a8772/results/download/2025_3_23_22_13_RACE.json

GTC US TOUR – Race Weekend 1/6

Riverside, USA – In a stunning display of grit and strategic mastery, Nat Stevenson clinched an exhilarating victory at the challenging Riverside Long Circuit. Behind the wheel of his Shelby Cobra 289, Stevenson snatched the win in dramatic fashion during the closing stages, finishing the intense 32-lap battle in just over an hour.

Late Drama: Stevenson Seals the Victory

The battle for first was fiercely contested, with meisterJaeger initially dominating, leading 20 laps and clocking the race's fastest lap (1:53.433). However, Stevenson, demonstrating impeccable consistency (99.50%), capitalized on a late-race mistake by meisterJaeger to seize the lead, maintaining his position for 12 of the final 13 laps. Stevenson crossed the finish line just 0.592 seconds ahead, delivering a gripping finale.

Podium Thrills: Sirén Holds Off Pursuers

Kasperi Sirén put on an impressive performance with his Bizzarrini 5300, fighting fiercely to hold onto third place, finishing only 4.945 seconds behind Stevenson. Right on his heels was FMG, showcasing the Ferrari 250 GTO's potential, finishing a mere 8.070 seconds off the lead. Valentin Knechtel, driving the Ferrari 250 GTO Series 2, rounded out the top five, 11.836 seconds behind.

Climbers and Tumblers: Battles Throughout the Field

The race was filled with standout performances. Hayley Smith showed aggressive style, gaining lot of positions after an early crash. HappyKojot also showcased resilience, powering from a lowly 23rd on the grid to 8th at the finish line.

However, not all racers found fortune on their side. Adam Celarek, driving his Ferrari 275 GTB Competizione, faced considerable difficulties throughout the race, slipping from a promising 9th place on the grid to eventually finish in 14th position.

Incidents and Close Calls

The intense competition led to a significant number of incidents, with contacts throughout the race. Riverside proved unforgiving, testing drivers’ skill, composure, and machinery endurance.

Race Statistics and Highlights

  • Laps Led: meisterJaeger (20 laps), Stevenson (12 laps)
  • Fastest Lap: meisterJaeger (1:53.433)
  • Highest Consistency: Nat Stevenson (99.50%) – showcasing ultimate control.
  • Close Finish: Top two drivers separated by just 0.592 seconds.
  • Notable Climbs: Emil Magnusson (P21 to P13), Hayley Smith (up 4 positions at start)

Championship Battle Intensifies

With Stevenson’s victory shaking up the standings, anticipation is surging for the next thrilling round. As the championship moves forward, one question dominates: will Stevenson maintain his newfound momentum, or will his rivals return stronger than ever? The stage is set for more classic racing excitement in the ongoing GTC US TOUR!