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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:

  1. HappyKojot – 114 pts
  2. Nat Stevenson – 108 pts
  3. Adam Celárek – 102 pts
  4. Kasperi Sirén – 92 pts
  5. FMG – 89 pts
  6. 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

GTC US Tour (RW 3/6)

Laguna Seca, California — It was a sun-drenched afternoon filled with thunderous roars and tire smoke as round three of the US GTC Championship rolled into the legendary Laguna Seca Historic circuit. With a gripping championship battle already shaping up, fans gathered expecting fireworks - and they weren’t disappointed.

Qualifying: A Tight Duel for Pole

Saturday’s qualifying saw SDH-M ~ HappyKojot in his Shelby Cobra 289 Hardtop clinch pole position with an astonishing 1:13.978, narrowly edging meisterJaeger by just 0.089 seconds. Nat Stevenson completed the tightly packed top three, setting the stage for a fierce race day.

Race Day: Kojot Holds Firm, Celárek Charges Forward

As the lights turned green, Kojot made a clean getaway from pole, maintaining the lead through Laguna Seca’s notorious twists. Adam Celárek, starting fourth in his agile TVR Griffith 200, showed tremendous pace, swiftly moving up into podium contention. A determined drive saw Celárek finish second, just behind Kojot, and set the fastest lap of the day with a blistering 1:13.920.

Nat Stevenson held steady, bringing home valuable points by securing third place, reinforcing his championship ambitions.

Valiant Battles and Astonishing Drives

Further down the field, the race unfolded dramatically. Florian Masse showcased stellar skill, gaining three positions to finish fourth, while Brandon Hawkin's powerful Corvette 1967 rumbled up one position to round out the top five.

However, the standout performance belonged to Valentin Knechtel. Starting deep in the field, Knechtel drove a masterclass race in his Ferrari 250 GTO Series II, overtaking an astonishing 18 cars to finish ninth - a heroic effort warmly applauded by the crowd.

Conversely, meisterJaeger had a day to forget. After a great race he got involved into and incident with a lapped driver in lap 33. His Shelby Cobra 289 Hardtop took severe damage and meisterJaeger had to give up the race. Emil Magnussen and Ingroover similarly struggled, navigating multiple collisions that severely hampered their race outcomes.

Incident-Strewn Race Highlights Challenges of Laguna Seca

The tricky circuit proved treacherous, claiming victims through numerous collisions with barriers and curbing. Laguna Seca’s demanding layout, particularly the infamous Corkscrew turn, caught out even seasoned drivers.

Championship Intensifies: A Dead Heat at the Top

This thrilling race has created a nail-biting deadlock atop the championship standings, with SDH-M ~ HappyKojot and meisterJaeger now tied at 77 points. Stevenson remains just behind with 74 points, keeping the title fight fiercely competitive. Adam Celárek’s impressive drive at Laguna Seca boosted him to fourth, just 9 points off the leaders.

Next Stop: Paramount Ranch

With the championship finely balanced, all eyes turn to the historic Paramount Ranch for round four. Drivers know each point is crucial. Expect the gloves to come off and tensions to rise even higher as this extraordinary vintage racing season continues to captivate.

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!