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!
The sound of revving engines from a bygone era is about to echo through the virtual paddocks once again. With the launch of the 718 Rennsport Trophy, THR invites drivers to take a seat in one of the most iconic race cars of the early 1960s – the Porsche 718 RS 60 Spyder. Built for agility, balance, and precision, this car is not just a machine; it’s a living piece of motorsport history. And it’s ready to be unleashed on some of the most thrilling and characterful tracks ever raced.
From Battenbergring to Longford – The Ultimate Road Trip
The championship begins with a prologue race at the legendary Battenbergring – a bumpy, fast, and narrow road course that sets the perfect stage for what’s to come. Following that, the season takes drivers on a journey through six distinct venues, each offering its own flavor of vintage racing. From the high-speed drama of the Deutschlandring to the tight village roads of Cadours, from the majestic flow of the Südschleife to the unpredictable seaside layout of Southport, every circuit is a chapter in this motorsport adventure. Rounding out the calendar are the uniquely challenging Prinzenpark and the ultra-fast, unforgiving roads of Longford – a fitting finale for a championship that honors courage, control, and consistency.
The Art of Driving, Rediscovered
This isn’t just another season. It’s an invitation to experience racing in its purest form. No traction control, no modern comforts – just you, the machine, and the limits of your skill. The 718 RS 60 Spyder rewards patience, punishes mistakes, and offers an unmatched sense of connection between driver and car. Every corner matters. Every overtake must be earned.
More Than a Race – It’s a Community
What makes the 718 Rennsport Trophy special isn’t just the car or the tracks – it’s the atmosphere. The shared passion of THRs community members, the thrill of wheel-to-wheel battles, the respect among drivers who know what it means to keep a vintage car on the edge. It’s racing as it was meant to be – raw, real, and absolutely unforgettable.
The 718 Rennsport Trophy Is Calling
Get ready for a season that doesn’t just challenge you – it transports you. The 718 Rennsport Trophy is here. Will you rise to the occasion?
As the founder and head admin of THR, I'd like to share some insights and experiences from my recent exploration of virtual reality.
A few months ago, I was approached by PIMAX with an exciting opportunity for collaboration. As a result, we've been featuring PIMAX on our website and stream, while our community members benefit from exclusive discounts on PIMAX VR headsets through an affiliate link.
Then I had the pleasure of meeting Ying, the COO of PIMAX, at the SimRacingExpo in Dortmund, and, surprisingly, I was given a PIMAX Crystal Light headset on loan to experience its features firsthand.
Having spent some time with the PIMAX Crystal Light, I wanted to share my impressions and how it stacks up against my long-time companion, the HP Reverb G2.
Read the article first and in case the Crystal Light is interesting for you have a look at the Flash Sale (-10%) Pimax offers to THR this Saturday. (details at the bottom of the linked article)
Beneath a bright autumn sky and the rolling sand dunes of eastern Long Island, the final chapter of the GTC 60s Championship was written in glorious, tire-smoking fashion at the fearsome and undulating Bridgehampton Race Circuit. It was a race that had it all - drama, collisions, wheel-to-wheel duels - and a championship fight that went right down to the final corner of the final lap.
And when the dust finally settled after 36 grueling laps, it was SDH-M ~ HappyKojot, driving a brilliantly prepared Shelby Cobra 289 Hardtop, who emerged not only victorious on the day, but also crowned champion of this unforgettable season.
Qualifying: Inches in the Sand
Tensions were high before a single engine had fired, as the tight championship standings meant every fraction of a second counted. Pole position was snatched by Adam Celárek, his TVR Griffith Series 200 posting a blistering 1:40.690 - a mere 0.086 seconds ahead of HappyKojot. Third on the grid went to championship leader Nat Stevenson, also in a Cobra, with Florian Masse and Hayley Smith rounding out the top five.
With the top trio separated by just over three-tenths of a second, a high-speed showdown seemed inevitable.
Race Start: Thunder in the Dunes
The engines roared to life and the field surged into Turn 1 like a pack of unleashed beasts. Celárek led the charge off the line, but it took only two laps for HappyKojot to strike. The Cobra muscled its way past the TVR, taking the lead with an aggressive yet calculated move on Lap 2.
But this was no easy steal - Celárek retaliated just one lap later. The two drivers traded positions and even traded paint in a breathtaking dogfight that saw contact on Lap 4, both refusing to yield an inch. Another scuffle followed, echoing through the paddock like a flashback to classic duels of yesteryear.
Despite the friction, both machines stayed intact - a testament to old-school toughness - and the duel continued unabated.
Mid-Race Madness: Heat and Heroics
By the race’s halfway mark, the order at the front remained unchanged, but far from settled. Celárek set the fastest lap of the race - an eye-watering 1:40.474 on Lap 29 - as he tried to claw his way past the Cobra once more.
Behind them, Nat Stevenson ran a calm and composed race in third, doing exactly what he needed to keep his championship hopes alive. But while the front three kept it sharp and tidy, chaos reigned in the midfield.
Lap 1 saw multiple tangles, including Ingroover, Mark Johnson, and Falling Falcon, all jostling for space. Ramen Grosjeant had a torrid time, bouncing off the environment like a pinball, while the ever-mischievous Brandon Hawkin and Ryan Pandiscio treated fans to a post-race demolition derby, racking up over 40 collisions after the session officially ended!
There’s racing - and then there’s Bridgehampton.
The Final Showdown: Decided by a Tenth
As the race drew to a close, every pair of eyes was locked on the dueling leaders. Celárek attacked again and again, but HappyKojot defended like a lion. As the two thundered down the final straight, the checkered flag was in sight - and HappyKojot crossed the line a mere 0.107 seconds ahead of the TVR.
An astonishing drive from both - the kind of wheel-to-wheel spectacle that will be replayed in paddock folklore for decades to come.
Championship Finale: A Swing of Two Points
The championship battle had been tight all season, and it was only fitting that it should be decided by the smallest of margins.
Driver
Points Before
Bridgehampton
Final Total
HappyKojot (HAP)
141
40
181
Nat Stevenson (STE)
145
34
179
Adam Celárek (CEL)
133
37
170
By finishing first, HappyKojot leapfrogged Stevenson in the final standings by just two points, snatching the crown in a dramatic, last-race reversal. Celárek’s late-season charge - pole, fastest lap, and second place - earned him a well-deserved third overall in the final championship tally.
Podium, Legacy, and Legends
This season was more than just numbers. It was raw power, sand-kissed curves, and open-top beasts thundering through circuits steeped in history. The car selection - Cobras, Ferraris, TVRs - all brought their own flavor. And the teams? Well, Side Heart Motorsports, boasting both HappyKojot and Celárek, will forever be remembered for delivering a 1–2 finish at the finale and a 1–3 in the championship.
As the sun set over Bridgehampton’s old guardrails and windswept straights, the crowd knew they had witnessed something special.
Because on that day, HappyKojot didn’t just win a race - he etched his name into THRs Wall of Champions ;-).
Get ready, THR. This isn’t just another Championship. This is a time machine back to one of the most thrilling, dangerous, and innovative seasons in Formula One history – and you’re invited to live it.
There are seasons in Formula One history that stand apart — moments where everything changed. One of those seasons was 1979. It was a year where genius, bravery, and innovation collided at full throttle. Now, through the magic of simracing, we’re bringing that raw, untamed energy back to life.
And this time, you’re in the driver’s seat.
In our upcoming F1 79 championship, we dive deep into the age of ground effect - a time when cars didn’t just cut through the air; they clung to the track, almost as if pulled downward by invisible hands. Thanks to revolutionary underbody designs, sliding skirts, and clever venturi tunnels, these machines could corner with a ferocity previously thought impossible. Drivers had to learn to trust the grip - and fear the moment they lost it.
This is the world of 1979 - where racing changed forever.
This was no era of driver aids or stability control. It was physics at the bleeding edge. And the consequences of getting it wrong? Immediate.
This isn’t modern F1. This is mechanical grip, driver bravery, and aerodynamic wizardry from a time when Formula One was still wild.
But we’re not just recreating a season - we’re creating a community experience. Drivers will have a choice of historically-inspired or custom liveries. We’ll run authentic race formats, visit classic circuits, and pay tribute to the legends who once dared to tame these monsters. Every race will be more than just competition; it will be a page in a story we write together.
Under bright skies and ideal racing conditions, the 1975 season concluded with a gripping finale at the historic Zandvoort circuit. With championship honors still hanging in the balance, spectators were treated to an electrifying race that tested drivers’ skill, resolve, and machinery.
The qualifying session itself promised high drama, as Simone Porcu of the BS2P Racing Team narrowly secured pole position in his Williams, edging out TH Racing’s Florian Masse by just 0.033 seconds. Ali Riza Tuncel in his independent Lotus completed a tightly contested top three, setting the stage for an intense battle.
Battle at the Front: Porcu vs. Masse
As the lights went out, Porcu made a solid start, leading the pack into the challenging opening corners. Masse, however, was relentless, immediately pressuring the Williams driver. Behind them, Tuncel initially kept pace but soon found himself battling handling issues after multiple brushes with the barriers, eventually tumbling down the order.
From the start, Masse aggressively pursued Porcu, repeatedly challenging into the Tarzanbocht. Porcu defended well until lap 13, when a slight error allowed Masse to slip through. Masse then dictated the pace, with Porcu remaining close and persistent.
Pitman Secures Crucial Podium Finish
Pitman, Masse’s teammate, displayed commendable skill and consistency, rising through the ranks from sixth on the grid to secure a podium finish in third place, crucially bolstering TH Racing's points haul.
Midfield Heroes Shine Amidst Chaos
The midfield battles were equally enthralling. Notably, Eetu Karjunen produced a stunning drive from twelfth on the grid to finish fourth, a performance mirrored by Stefan Roess, who surged from seventeenth to eighth. These impressive gains underlined their tenacity and skill, avoiding the numerous incidents and collisions that plagued others.
Carnage at Zandvoort Claims Victims
The circuit's unforgiving nature took its toll. FMG had a particularly disastrous sequence of incidents around lap 10, resulting in an early retirement. Similarly, Ali Riza Tuncel’s promising weekend ended prematurely after multiple encounters with Zandvoort’s punishing barriers.
Late in the race, Porcu endured a critical setback after a collision with Ingroover, severely damaging his chances of reclaiming the lead. Despite setting the fastest lap of the race at 1:19.070, Porcu was forced to settle for second place.
Final Laps Drama and Masse’s Triumph
As the laps wound down, Masse expertly navigated through traffic and minor track incidents, maintaining his lead over a determined Porcu. Behind them, battles continued fiercely with positions frequently changing, particularly in the lower half of the points-scoring places.
When the checkered flag fell, Florian Masse celebrated not just his race victory but also secured the 1975 Championship crown, extending his final points lead over Porcu to 9 points. Pitman’s strong third-place finish solidified his spot on the championship podium. Remarkably, the top three finishers at Zandvoort perfectly mirrored the final standings in the championship, underscoring the consistent excellence of the season's leading drivers.
Masse Triumphs in Thrilling 1975 Championship Showdown
The 1975 racing season erupted with excitement, driven by relentless battles and strategic twists, notably influenced by the dramatic "drop worst result" rule. Florian Masse clinched the championship crown with an impressive blend of sheer dominance and tactical brilliance. Despite facing adversity with a dramatic DNF at Silverstone, Masse masterfully discarded this setback, storming to victory in four of the six decisive races.
Simone Porcu provided relentless pressure, delivering consistent podium finishes race after race. Utilizing the discard rule to drop a less competitive score at Interlagos, Porcu kept the championship fight alive until the very end, falling just 9 points short after a thrilling season-long duel.
Pitman grabbed third place in style, showcasing unwavering determination highlighted by a pivotal victory at Silverstone. The discard rule strategically boosted his final standings, allowing him to eliminate a fourth-place finish.
Kasperi Sirén secured fourth overall, brilliantly gathering crucial points early in the season and effectively neutralizing his absence in the finale with strategic use of the discard rule.
Nat charged into the top five by turning early-season disappointment into fierce determination, skillfully leveraging the discard rule to steadily climb the rankings.
Ultimately, Florian Masse’s calculated strategy, combined with consistent high-performance racing, secured him a thrilling and deserved 1975 championship victory.
On a crisp racing afternoon in upstate New York, the hills of Watkins Glen trembled under the fury of roaring engines and the clash of championship titans. What unfolded during the fifth round of the GTC Championship was not merely a motor race - it was a symphony of courage, calamity, and high-speed craftsmanship.
Opening Salvo: Collision Course Among the Front-Runners
The grid was electric. Adam Celárek, perched on pole in his thunderous TVR Griffith with a blistering 1:13.431 in qualifying, led the charge down into Turn 1. Beside him, Nat Stevenson was ready to pounce, with Florian Masse poised in P3, eyes fixed on the apex.
But the opening laps were anything but orderly. The first few corners bore witness to a flurry of contact: Celárek and Stevenson rubbed panels more than once; Masse found himself muscling past both in the early exchanges. The rear of the field fared no better - Felix789 and Kent LeFredge tangled, FMG and CoVid_Man skirmished, and the Watkins Glen asphalt quickly became a battlefield.
The Lead Duel: Masse vs. Stevenson
Through the chaos, Florian Masse emerged with the bit between his teeth. In a dazzling display of resolve, he climbed from third to the front and then braced himself for a relentless 60-minute pursuit by Stevenson. Their duel became the centerpiece of the afternoon.
Lap after lap, the two titans traded fastest times, wheel-to-wheel action, and the occasional nudge. Stevenson’s best lap - a scintillating 1:13.598 - matched the pole time set by Celárek, underscoring his raw pace. Masse, however, responded not with outright speed but with supreme consistency and nerves of steel.
As the race wore on, the duo became inseparable. The gap hovered under a second for most of the final stint. Post-race logs showed both had picked up a minor collision after the chequered flag - testament to just how hard they raced, even as they rolled into parc fermé.
Podium Powerhouses and Strategic Survivors
While the spotlight remained fixed on the front two, Hayley Smith delivered a masterclass in composure. From P4 on the grid, she climbed to third, driving a clean, well-judged race to secure a much-deserved podium amidst the mayhem.
Behind her, Celárek, the pole-sitter, couldn’t keep pace after the opening lap skirmishes. Though fast, the damage - physical and tactical - was done. He would ultimately settle for fourth, his title hopes dented but not dashed.
Valentin Knechtel piloted his Ferrari 250 GTO with precision to rise from 10th to 5th, while FMG, who started an anonymous 14th, stunned observers by slicing his way to 6th - eight places gained, and a drive to be proud of.
And then there was Falling Falcon - from a lowly 21st to a storming 10th. In a race marked by attrition and elbows-out aggression, his 11-place climb was nothing short of heroic.
Heartbreak and Havoc in the Midfield
The Glen showed little mercy to others. Max Solmyr, a frontrunner in qualifying, was caught in a shunt with MonSpaNur early on and tumbled down the order. He finished a disconsolate 17th. Mark Johnson had multiple brushes with rivals, most notably FMG, and Rolf Biber, starting P9, was out after just 27 laps in the Swiss Buddy Racing Ferrari.
Eduardo Beninca, a promising P5 in qualifying, never turned a racing lap - either sidelined before the green or struck down by early misfortune.
Across the field, no fewer than 17 collisions were recorded for Marko Ristic alone - a telling indicator of just how physical this race was, even by GTC standards.
Final Lap: Pressure to the End
As the final minutes ticked down, Stevenson was glued to Masse’s rear bumper, looking for any opening. But Masse, unyielding and unshakable, held firm. When the flag fell, the margin was just 0.781 seconds—a sliver of daylight after an hour of door-to-door action.
Florian Masse took the win, the fastest lap, and the acclaim of the crowd. Stevenson banked critical points. And somewhere, HappyKojot watched from afar, ruing his DNS.
Championship Implications: Three Men, One Crown
With five of six rounds now in the ledger, the championship picture is coming into sharp relief—but it’s far from settled.
Nat Stevenson leads with 145 points. With his dropped DNS already accounted for, any score at Bridgehampton will add to his tally. A win could crown him on 185.
HappyKojot, despite his absence at Watkins Glen, sits just four points back on 141. If he bounces back with a win, and Stevenson falters, the title could still be his.
Adam Celárek stands on 133 points. His path to the crown is narrow but not impossible. He needs to win, and hope his rivals stumble.
The GTC Championship now thunders toward its finale at Bridgehampton, where tension will hang as thick as exhaust fumes. For Stevenson, the title is within reach. For Kojot, redemption calls. For Celárek, only perfection will do.
Whatever happens, one thing is certain - this fight isn’t over.
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.
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.
Sunday’s race at the legendary Österreichring circuit, renowned for its daunting high-speed corners and absence of the chicane, proved decisive in reshaping this year’s championship battle. Amidst spectacular crashes and relentless wheel-to-wheel action, Florian Masse secured a commanding victory that could prove critical in his quest for the title.
Qualifying: Masse Takes Command Early
In a fiercely contested qualifying session, Florian Masse (McLaren) stormed to pole position with a blistering 1:34.640, outpacing the Williams duo of Elia Porcu and Simone Porcu, who lined up second and third respectively. Ali Riza Tuncel completed the second row in his Lotus, promising an intense race from the start.
Early Mayhem Sets the Tone
The green flag dropped, and while Masse maintained control, early drama unfolded as pitman’s McLaren slid into the barrier at the start of lap two, though he quickly rejoined the race. Moments later, gilvil77’s Tyrrell collided with the barriers, initiating a chain reaction involving Richard Rossier, Max Solmyr, and Stefan Roess. Disaster struck further into the same lap for Elia Porcu, whose Williams suffered a technical failure, sending him off track and ending his race prematurely.
Further heartbreak came when Dale Ballweg’s Ferrari ended its race abruptly after only three laps due to severe damage. MonSpaNur (Penske) and Rolf Biber (Ferrari) also succumbed to the circuit’s punishing nature, their races ending prematurely amidst scattered debris and damaged cars.
Masse Unchallenged, Simone Porcu Battles Back
At the front, Masse never looked back. His McLaren set the fastest lap of the race (1:36.001), effortlessly building a gap lap after lap with a remarkable consistency that rivals found impossible to match.
Behind Masse, Simone Porcu (Williams) showed exceptional resilience. After surviving an intense mid-race collision with Max Solmyr, Porcu regained composure and secured a solid second place, crucially keeping his championship hopes alive.
Podium Thriller: Sirén vs. pitman
The battle for third provided the most thrilling spectacle of the day, as Kasperi Sirén (Surtees) narrowly edged out pitman’s McLaren by just two-tenths of a second in a breathtaking last-lap showdown. Mika Hakala secured a commendable fifth for Ferrari, holding off a late charge by Nat Stevenson (Shadow).
Race Results (Top 6):
Florian Masse (McLaren) – 38 laps, 1:01:19.907
Simone Porcu (Williams) – +20.937
Kasperi Sirén (Surtees) – +1:08.832
pitman (McLaren) – +1:09.032
Mika Hakala (Ferrari) – +1:22.065
Nat Stevenson (Shadow) – +1:26.408
Championship Outlook: Duel in the Dutch Dunes
Heading into the championship finale at Zandvoort, Florian Masse leads Simone Porcu by just six points. Masse, after dropping his worst score from Silverstone, sits at 157 points, while Porcu, dropping his Montjuic score, trails closely at 151 points. pitman, despite a strong performance today, is now mathematically out of the title race, sitting third overall.
Midfield Madness
The battle behind the leaders is astonishingly tight: Kasperi Sirén holds fourth place but is closely chased by FMG, Stevenson, Hakala, gilvil77, Elia Porcu, Solmyr, and Karjunen—each separated by mere single-digit margins. Zandvoort promises high drama, with positions likely shifting dramatically based on every overtaking maneuver.
Final Thoughts: Anticipation Builds for Zandvoort
The stage is set perfectly for a dramatic championship decider. Masse holds the advantage, but with Simone Porcu’s relentless pursuit and a midfield hungry to prove their worth, fans can expect an electrifying conclusion on the historic dunes of Zandvoort. The 1975 championship is still very much alive, promising a spectacular showdown.
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.
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.
