Round 1 - Report
Qualifying for Round 1 of Season 2 of the Virtual Touring Car Series took place at the iconic Hockenheim circuit. The session was filled with excitement as drivers battled for the best starting positions on the grid.
Wojciech Swirydowicz put in a stellar performance, securing the top spot on the grid with a lap time of 01:49.9. Tim Reinhardt closely followed in second place, just 0.181 seconds behind Swirydowicz. David Ward claimed the third position on the grid with a lap time of 01:50.5.
As the rest of the field lined up, anticipation grew for the race ahead. Tony Vijfschaft, Robert Sharpe, James Egan, Neil Ferrier, Paul Zanettacci, Rene Ritter, and J.M. Gomez completed the top ten positions on the grid.
Race 1
As the lights went out, the race began with Wojciech Swirydowicz starting from pole position. Swirydowicz made an impressive start, maintaining his lead from the beginning. Tim Reinhardt, starting in second place, tried to keep up with the leader but fell behind by a margin of 4.417 seconds.
David Ward, starting in third position, also held his ground, keeping the leaders in sight but unable to mount a challenge. Robert Sharpe, Neil Ferrier, and J.M. Gomez fought hard for positions, engaging in exciting battles throughout the race.
As the laps unfolded, Swirydowicz continued to dominate, showcasing both speed and consistency. Reinhardt maintained his second-place position but couldn't close the gap to the leader. Ward, Sharpe, and Ferrier rounded out the top five, providing thrilling action with their close racing.
A penalty was imposed on Tony Vijfschaft, which pushed him down the order despite his strong performance. Meanwhile, other drivers like Rene Ritter, Alexander Hause, and Michael Teusch fought hard to secure valuable points.
As the checkered flag waved, Wojciech Swirydowicz crossed the finish line in first place, securing a well-deserved victory. Tim Reinhardt finished second, maintaining a solid performance throughout the race. David Ward completed the podium in third place, demonstrating his consistency and skill.
The race was not without its fair share of penalties, as several drivers received penalties for their on-track conduct. Despite this, the competition remained fierce, and drivers fought hard for every position.
Race 2
Race 2 of Season 2 of the Virtual Touring Car Series brought even more excitement and intense competition to the Hockenheim circuit. With the top 20 reversed from race 1, the drivers were ready to battle it out for another chance at victory.
As the lights went out, James Egan, starting from fifth position, made a fantastic start and quickly climbed up the order, ultimately taking the lead and maintaining a consistent pace throughout the race.
Neil Ferrier, starting from fifteenth position, also demonstrated a remarkable performance, showcasing impressive overtakes and gradually closing the gap to the leader. Ferrier finished in a strong second place, just 2.629 seconds behind Egan.
J.M. Gomez, Mark Peck, and Mikko Kuitunen engaged in fierce battles throughout the race, showcasing their racing prowess and determination to secure valuable points. Peck, starting from second position, led for a lap but was overtaken by Egan into the hairpin on lap 2, finishing in fourth place.
Penalties played a significant role in this race, with drivers like Paul Zanettacci, Tobias Kantert, Jean Alezi, Tim Reinhardt, and Shane Brauders receiving penalties for their on-track conduct. These penalties affected their final positions and added an additional element of drama to the race.
As the race unfolded, several drivers faced unfortunate retirements, including Ismael Batugg, Lorenzo Oro, Alexander Hause, Tony Vijfschaft and Pascal Kalide. However, despite the challenges faced, the remaining drivers continued to push their limits and entertain the spectators with their performances.
In the end, James Egan emerged victorious, showcasing his skills and determination to secure the top step of the podium. Neil Ferrier impressed with a strong second-place finish, while J.M. Gomez completed the podium in third place.
Leading the championship standings after Round 1 is Neil Ferrier, demonstrating his exceptional driving abilities and earning a total of 117 points. Close on his heels are J.M. Gomez and Wojciech Swirydowicz, with 105 and 103 points respectively. These top contenders have set the pace early on and will undoubtedly be ones to watch as the season unfolds.
In the Silver class, James Egan and Paul Zanettacci have showcased their prowess, securing the fourth and fifth positions in the overall championship standings. Their consistent performances have earned them 95 and 87 points respectively, placing them within striking distance of the leaders.
The Gold class has seen fierce competition, with Tim Reinhardt, Mikko Kuitunen, and Robert Sharpe occupying the sixth, seventh, and eighth positions in the standings. These drivers have displayed exceptional skill and determination, accumulating 81, 77, and 72 points respectively.
The battle for the podium continues in the Silver class, where Mark Peck and David Ward have claimed the ninth and tenth positions with 68 and 66 points respectively. Michael Teusch closely follows them, tied on points with Ward, setting the stage for an intriguing rivalry in the upcoming races.
Other notable performances include Simon Burmann, Tony Vijfschaft, and Darryll Morrison, who have claimed the 15th, 16th, and 17th positions in the standings. Their consistent efforts on the track have garnered 43, 39, and 35 points respectively.
As the championship progresses, the battle for supremacy in each class promises to intensify. With drivers like Alexander Hause, Matthias Wasser, Chriss Lindenau, and Brian Hunter, among others, vying for higher positions, the competition is expected to reach new heights in the coming rounds.
