Race Report: Round 4 of the American GT Championship at Laguna Seca
The American GT Championship, hosted by Transatlantic Sim Racing (TSR), culminated in an intense final round at the iconic Laguna Seca. The warm and dry weather carried the threat of a rainstorm, adding an extra layer of uncertainty to the late Sunday afternoon race.
Qualifying Drama
Qualifying delivered a surprise as Mike Landreth in his McLaren 720S GT3 pulled off a stellar lap to clinch pole position, narrowly edging out championship favorite Xander Huizing in his Ferrari 296 GT3. Simon Steele, needing a win and a DNF from Huizing to secure the championship, could only manage sixth on the grid, setting up a challenging race ahead.
Race Unfolds with High Stakes
As the race began, it quickly became apparent that Landreth’s McLaren lacked the long-run pace needed to maintain his lead. Despite pushing hard and putting up a valiant defense, a slight misjudgment on the kerbs allowed Huizing to slip past and take the lead.
Steele, in his Ford Mustang GT3, struggled to find the necessary pace and could only hope for a dramatic twist that never materialized. Huizing, demonstrating his class and consistency, maintained his lead to take the win, securing not just the race victory but also the overall championship title. Eduardo Daroca, in his BMW M4 GT3, finished a strong second, while Landreth managed to hold on for third, earning some well-deserved silverware for his pole position effort.
Silver Class Showdown
In the Silver class, Anthony Smeekes once again showed his prowess by taking the win in his Mustang GT3. Pako Sanchez, driving the McLaren 720S GT3, secured second place, solidifying his top-three position in the championship standings. Karl Ve, in the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo, finished third in the race, which was enough to maintain his second place in the championship thanks to his consistent podium finishes throughout the series.
Championship Wrap-Up
Gold Class:
1. Xander Huizing – Ferrari 296 GT3
2. Simon Steele – Ford Mustang GT3
3. Eduardo Daroca – BMW M4 GT3
Xander Huizing’s victory at Laguna Seca capped a dominant season, confirming his status as the Gold Cup champion. Simon Steele’s valiant efforts fell short, but he secured second place in the championship. Eduardo Daroca’s consistent performances earned him third place overall.
Silver Class:
1. Pako Sanchez – McLaren 720S GT3 Evo
2. Karl Ve – Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo2
3. Anthony Smeekes – Ford Mustang GT3
Pako Sanchez’s impressive consistency, finishing on the podium in every race, earned him the Silver Cup championship. Karl Ve’s reliability and strong finishes throughout the series secured him second place. Anthony Smeekes, with multiple race wins, rounded out the top three in the Silver class.
Conclusion
The American GT Championship’s finale at Laguna Seca was a fitting end to a thrilling series. The battles on track, the strategic nuances, and the backdrop of a potential rainstorm kept fans and drivers alike on the edge of their seats. As the series wraps up, the drivers and teams can look back on an exciting mini-series full of competitive racing and memorable moments.
We hope everyone enjoyed this tour de force of GT racing and look forward to seeing you next time for more action-packed racing.
Full Race Stream - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHkPtG-r-jQ
Championship Standings - https://www.thesimgrid.com/championships/7880/standings