Race Report: Round 3 of the American GT Championship at Indianapolis Road Course
The American GT Championship, hosted by Transatlantic Sim Racing (TSR), hit the Indianapolis Road Course for its third round, and the stage was set for a thrilling afternoon of racing. The weather was hot and dry, a typical late Sunday afternoon that promised a gripping race from start to finish.
Qualifying Highlights
In qualifying, Xander Huizing in his Ferrari 296 GT3 clinched pole position with a stellar lap. Pako Sanchez, in his McLaren 720S GT3, was the fastest in the Silver class, setting up a fascinating dynamic for the race. The return of Simon Steele, absent in the previous round, added an extra layer of intrigue as his Ford Mustang GT3 was expected to face challenges on the low-grip, bumpy infield sections of the track.
Race Start and Early Dynamics
As the green flag waved, the battle for the lead immediately heated up between Huizing and Steele. Steele, eager to make up for lost ground in the championship standings, pushed his Mustang hard, staying on Huizing’s tail. Richard Veenema in another Ferrari 296 GT3 held onto third place, but the competition was fierce.
Key Moments and Overtakes
The lead changed hands when Huizing made a mistake, allowing Steele to momentarily seize the front. However, the Ferrari’s superior braking performance soon came into play, and Huizing reclaimed his position, gradually pulling away to secure a commanding win. Steele's efforts to stay close kept the fans on edge, but he ultimately settled for second place.
Further back, Eduardo Daroca in the BMW M4 GT3 mounted a successful challenge against Veenema, eventually passing him to take third place. Veenema, despite a solid performance, had to be content with fourth.
Silver Class Action
The Silver class saw intense competition as well. Anthony Smeekes drove a strong race in his Mustang GT3, finishing first in class. Pako Sanchez, the fastest Silver qualifier, crossed the line in second, while Karl Ve, piloting the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo, secured third. This race shuffled the Silver class standings, with the top three drivers in the championship now very closely matched.
Championship Outlook
With just one race left in the series, the championship battle is reaching a fever pitch. Xander Huizing appears to have a firm grip on the Gold Cup with his consistent performances and another win under his belt. However, the Silver class remains wide open, with any of the top three drivers—Smeekes, Sanchez, and Ve—capable of taking the title at the final race.
Final Results
Gold Class:
1. Xander Huizing (Ferrari 296 GT3)
2. Simon Steele (Ford Mustang GT3)
3. Eduardo Daroca (BMW M4 GT3)
4. Richard Veenema (Ferrari 296 GT3)
Silver Class:
1. Anthony Smeekes (Ford Mustang GT3)
2. Pako Sanchez (McLaren 720S GT3)
3. Karl Ve (Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo)
Next Race: Laguna Seca
As the championship heads to its final round at the legendary Laguna Seca, the anticipation is palpable. The Gold Cup seems poised to go to Xander Huizing, but the Silver class title is still very much up for grabs. The iconic corkscrew and challenging layout of Laguna Seca will undoubtedly provide a fitting finale to what has been an exhilarating series.
Stay tuned as the American GT Championship concludes, with drivers ready to give it their all for one last push towards glory.
Full Race Stream - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB7yv8aAx0c
Championship Standings - https://www.thesimgrid.com/championships/7880/standings