Transatlantic Sim Racing GT3 Race Report: Watkins Glen
Race Overview
The late Sunday afternoon GT3 race at Watkins Glen, hosted by Transatlantic Sim Racing, provided an hour of thrilling action. With dry weather, light clouds, and temperatures peaking at 22°C, conditions were near perfect for racing.
Qualifying Highlights
Qualifying was intense, with the top six drivers constantly swapping positions. Xander Huizing in the Ferrari 296 and Ian Paskin’s McLaren 720S delivered blistering lap times, vying for pole position. Valentino Bucceri seemed poised to challenge them until a spin by another car forced him to abandon a fast lap. Ultimately, Huizing secured pole with a stellar performance. In the Silver category, Anthony Smeekes posted the fastest lap, closely followed by Pako Sanchez.
Race Start
As the race commenced, the drivers faced strategic decisions regarding the mandatory fuel and tire pit stop, with a 20-minute window available. Despite the absence of rain, Watkins Glen's track is known to be demanding on tyres.
The start was clean, with all drivers getting away smoothly. Huizing, Paskin, and Antonio D'Angiolella quickly established a gap at the front, while Richard Veenema and Bucceri engaged in a fierce battle just behind them. Smeekes, driving a Mustang, made impressive progress among the Gold drivers until a collision with Eduardo Daroca’s BMW relegated both to the back.
Early Race Developments
In the early laps, Tomas Stanek in his Mustang seized the lead in the Silver category. At the front, Huizing’s early push was challenged by Paskin. However, at the inner loop, Paskin lost aerodynamic grip while closely following Huizing, resulting in an off-track excursion. He rejoined in third place but with substantial front-end damage that affected his lap times.
Meanwhile, Veenema and Bucceri also collided, dropping Veenema to seventh with damage. The pit window couldn’t come soon enough for these drivers needing repairs.
Mid-Race Strategy
Karl Ve in the Lamborghini began to shine mid-race, climbing the order with consistent driving and capitalizing on others' misfortunes. As the pit window opened, Stanek pitted just 30 seconds too early, meaning his stop didn’t count as mandatory. Many drivers opted for early stops, spreading the field and reducing immediate on-track battles. This shift allowed faster drivers to work through traffic post-pit stops.
Closing Stages
As the race neared its conclusion, the top three positions seemed set with Huizing, D'Angiolella, and Bucceri holding steady. Paskin managed to recover to fourth after his earlier incident, while Daroca also staged a comeback, finishing sixth overall after being last at one point.
Mike Landreth was moved up to Gold after race 1 and with a solid performance for 5th place overall proved he is more than capable off running in Gold.
In the Silver category, Karl Ve maintained a solid lead, finishing seventh overall and first in Silver. Pako Sanchez, despite an early setback, recovered to second in Silver, followed by Ben Jaded, who displayed consistent performance in his Ferrari.
Final Results
Gold Category:
- Xander Huizing - Ferrari 296
- Antonio D'Angiolella - Ferrari 296
- Valentino Bucceri - McLaren 720S GT3
Silver Category:
- Karl Ve - Lamborghini Huracan GT3
- Pako Sanchez - McLaren 720S GT3
- Ben Jaded - Ferrari 296
With the absence this week from last weeks race winner Simon Steele the champtionship fight is now on,
The race at Watkins Glen showcased the strategic depth and intense competition of GT3 racing. With excellent driving, smart pit strategies, and a few dramatic incidents, it was a memorable event for drivers and fans alike.
Looking Ahead
The next race takes the drivers to the Indianapolis Road Circuit, presenting a new challenge with its lower grip and bumpy infield. As the championship progresses, the competition is sure to intensify, promising more thrilling races and strategic battles.
The race can be watched here with Commentary from regular Guss de Blod, however next race at Indianapolis will be his first there.
Full Results and Standings
Stay tuned for more action from Transatlantic Sim Racing!