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.
Concrete canyons, razor‑thin margins and a new winner in town
Qualifying: Jayden HW on a mission The Top-10 grid for Long Beach already hinted at a street-fighter’s race. Jayden HW stuck his Side Heart Motorsports car on pole with a 1:10.981, edging TH Racing’s Florian Masse (1:11.550). Eetu Karjunen and Willphaizer locked out row two, followed by FMG and Eduardo Beninca. Nat Stevenson and Flashor filled row four; gilvil77 and Richard Rossier rounded out the ten. All the quick laps came on soft tyres — exactly what you want when walls are the track limits.
The race
Lights out, and Jayden never looked back From pole, Jayden HW launched cleanly and immediately settled into low-1:12s, controlling the tempo. His race wasn’t flawless — he had two brushes with the concrete, once around the 6th minute and again near the 47th minute, both logged as minor “contact with environment” — but neither slowed him.
Masse clung to the leader’s wake in the opening phase, but while he matched Jayden’s rhythm, he never truly threatened. At the flag, Jayden completed the full 50 laps in 60:44.053, with the race’s fastest lap (1:11.575). Masse followed 12.9 seconds later (best lap 1:12.235).
Street-fight for the podium Behind the front two, Willphaizer converted his P4 grid into a hard-earned third. He ran a consistent race, even after brushing the wall at the 28-minute mark, and crossed the line in 61:29.646 (best 1:12.755).
FMG showed resilience after clipping the barriers around 18 minutes, yet kept his lap times in the low-1:13s to secure fourth just 10.6 seconds off Willphaizer. His fastest lap was 1:12.627.
Beninca salvaged fifth, one lap down, after losing ground in the middle stint. His best lap was 1:13.146, enough to hold station when others faltered.
Incidents that shaped the midfield Long Beach’s walls punished the bold. A couple of flashpoints stood out:
Lap 2: MonSpaNur and Richard Rossier collided while fighting through the fountain section. Both continued but lost momentum.
Just seconds later, Ramen Grosjeant tangled with Stefano Bucci — they came together twice in quick succession before Bucci smacked the wall at Turn 9.
Minute 5: Nat Stevenson clipped the barriers hard but managed to continue with a damaged sidepod.
Lap 9: Ali Rıza Tuncel and Eetu Karjunen made contact while dicing for position. Both carried on, though Tuncel later added to the drama with another wall scrape.
Minute 13: A spectacular moment saw Syd Drake slam into the wall at over 100 km/h. His race ended there. Moments later Ferd1 suffered a heavy impact of his own and limped back to the pits.
Later in the stint, Dale Ballweg and kuanza collided on the back straight (around 15 minutes). Kuanza spun but rejoined.
The closing laps saw Porcu and Grosjeant brush together in the hairpin, and post-race tempers flared as Ristic and Grosjeant traded paint even after the checkered flag.
Result — Top 5
Jayden HW — 50 laps, 60:44.053, best lap 1:11.575
Florian Masse — 50 laps, 60:56.961 (+12.9s), best lap 1:12.235
Willphaizer — 50 laps, 61:29.646, best lap 1:12.755
FMG — 50 laps, 61:40.248, best lap 1:12.627
Eduardo Beninca — 49 laps, 60:48.458, best lap 1:13.146
Fastest lap: Jayden HW, 1:11.575.
What it means for the Championship (drop-score applied)
With the drop-race rule (worst result discarded), here’s how the front of the table stacks up after Monza and Long Beach:
Simone Porcu – 40 pts (Monza win; DNF Long Beach).
Florian Masse – 37 pts (P2 in Monza and again P2 in Long Beach).
Eduardo Beninca – 34 pts (Monza P3; Long Beach P5).
Willphaizer – 34 pts (Long Beach P3).
FMG – 31 pts (Long Beach P4; DNF Monza).
gilvil77 – 31 pts (Monza P4; Long Beach outside Top 5).
Two rounds in, the season already has a narrative: Porcu vs. Jayden HW on 40 apiece, Masse lurking three back, and a tightly-bunched pack of Beninca, Willphaizer and FMG waiting to pounce.
Reporter’s take
Long Beach rewarded discipline. Jayden’s victory wasn’t flashy, but it was decisive — pole, fastest lap, and no major errors. Masse’s second consecutive P2 underlines his consistency and title credentials. Willphaizer and FMG both showed podium-level pace, while Beninca limited the damage with solid points.
The walls claimed their victims, but the championship fight is now finely poised: two winners, one tie at the top, and a hungry chasing pack. Next stop: Jarama, where rhythm and tyre management could reshuffle the order again.
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?
Porcu converts pole to victory in a slipstream chess match; Masse and Beninca complete the podium
Qualifying The front row set the tone for an hour of high‑speed brinkmanship. Simone Porcu (BS2P Racing Team) put his Lotus‑liveried Formula RSS 1979 V8 on pole with a 1:35.534 (Softs). Fellow Italian gilvil77 joined him on the front row (1:35.813, S), with Florian Masse (TH Racing) third (1:35.973, S). The top ten was rounded out by FMG (1:36.258), Eduardo Beninca (1:36.284), Ali Rıza Tuncel (1:36.765), Eetu Karjunen (1:36.842), Rolf Biber (1:37.160), pitman (1:37.218) and Nat Stevenson (1:37.227).
Race report
Start & opening laps Porcu made a clean launch and immediately imposed a steady rhythm, dragging Masse clear of the pack. Behind them the order reshuffled at the end of the opening tour: Biber vaulted from P8 to P4, only for Beninca to reclaim the place by lap 2. From there the lead group settled into a pattern—Porcu, Masse, gilvil77, Beninca—while Biber, pitman and Karjunen queued up in their wake.
Tyre story Most of the front‑runners chose Softs and chased outright pace; Karjunen, Tuncel, Stevenson, Ristic and kuanza gambled on Hards for consistency over the hour. That split shaped the midfield fight as the stint wore on.
The race turns on two minutes of drama Lap 16 detonated the calm: gilvil77 clocked a ragged 2:19.710, dropping from a secure third to the tail of the top seven. That single error handed P3 to Beninca and promoted pitman and Biber. Three laps later, the leaders exchanged favours—Porcu logged a 1:49.674 on lap 19, which put Masse into the lead. One tour later the roles reversed as Masse lost time with a 1:49.719 on lap 20 and Porcu took back control for good.
The middle stint also shuffled the second group. Biber suffered a 1:57.392 on lap 19, ceding spots to pitman and Karjunen. Then came their private duel: Karjunen grabbed P4 on lap 23, only for pitman to repass on lap 24 as the Hard‑tyre runner started to feel the pace.
Comeback and close From lap 30 onward, gilvil77 began an eye‑catching recovery—past Biber for P6 (lap 30), Karjunen for P5 (lap 31), and finally pitman for P4 (lap 33). At the very end Biber stole sixth back from Karjunen on lap 37. Up front, Porcu’s metronomic laps and an outright fastest lap 1:36.743 kept Masse at bay to the flag.
Incidents & attrition There was no shortage of contact deeper in the field. FMG’s promising qualifying turned into a lap‑4 retirement after tangles in traffic. Syd Drake (2 laps) and Dale Ballweg (3) were early DNFs; Davide Saìu stopped on lap 11 and Ferd1 on lap 19. Stevenson and Bucci both survived brushes with the scenery to bank solid points.
Monza — Provisional classification (Top 10)
Simone Porcu — 37 laps, 60:28.722, fastest lap 1:36.743
Porcu starts on 40 pts, a win from pole plus fastest lap authority.
Masse leaves Italy on 37 pts—within striking distance after pushing the leader into a brief mid‑race swap.
Beninca banks 34 pts for third, profiting when gilvil77 hit trouble.
gilvil77 takes 31 pts after a spirited comeback to fourth.
pitman opens with 30 pts in fifth after winning the duel with Karjunen.
With the drop‑race rule (the worst score discarded at season’s end), there’s nothing to drop yet—but the calculus is already clear: FMG’s early DNF is an obvious “drop” candidate later, while Porcu’s Monza haul is a keeper.
Takeaways
Lead under pressure: The race hinged on two out‑of‑sequence laps (19–20) that briefly flipped the lead before Porcu asserted control again.
Strategy split: Softs were the way to win; the best Hard‑tyre finisher (Karjunen) took P7, with Tuncel and Stevenson leveraging durability for points.
Comeback drive:gilvil77’s lap‑16 setback and three overtakes in the final eight laps delivered a hard‑earned P4.
Team notes: TH Racing comes away smiling—Masse P2 and pitman P5—while BS2P’s Porcu set the early benchmark.
Monza has delivered a classic: high speed, one razor‑thin momentum swing at the front, and enough midfield incident to keep the stewards busy. Next stop: Long Beach, where bumps and concrete walls will ask very different questions of these ground‑effect cars.
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.
