Apex Racing League iRacing Touring Car Championship R10 Race Report

Indianapolis Motor Speedway provided a grand stage for the tenth round of the Apex Racing League Touring Car Championship. Utilising a combination of the world-famous superspeedway and infield section, the Indianapolis road course serves up a technical challenge to all drivers.

Emerging championship challenger, George Simmons, set the pace in qualifying. Joining Simmons on the front row of the grid, was Brands Hatch race winner, Terje Flaten. Mark Woodhouse asserted his control over the AM division with another class pole.

Utilising pole position to full effect, George Simmons won the long drag race to turn one. Championship leader, Kieran Harrison, settled in behind the Apex Racing Team driver after a superb launch from fourth on the grid.

Harrison made his move early and hit the front on lap three. However, the long slog around the super speedway meant that no driver was safe from the slip stream. Nevertheless, Harrison continued to lead throughout the race while a cast of rivals bickered behind.

Contact between Jansson and Simmons sent the latter into the barriers with great force. Heavy damage to Simmons’ Apex Racing Team Audi forced the Briton to limp to twenty-ninth place.

Flaten, Guinez, Jansson and Simmons all made valiant efforts to chase down Harrison. However, Harrison escaped to the win while his rivals tripped over one another. Terje Flaten clinched second place from Corentin Guinez on the sprint to the finish line.

Team MAD’s AM class supremo, Mark Woodhouse, converted AM pole position to a class win.

Although Simmons’ race one ended in disastrous fashion, the reverse grid shuffle consoled the championship contender with pole position for race two. Simmons scampered into an early lead while a midfield melee ensued behind.

Although Simmons enjoyed a handy lead, Martijn Asschert had lofty ambitions to satisfy. Once into his stride, the Dutch star began reeling off rapid lap times. On lap ten, Asschert caught Simmons and used the slip stream to pass into turn one.

Throughout the remaining laps, Asschert and Simmons traded the lead back and forth, setting up a tantalising last lap showdown. Despite Asschert’s tenacious efforts, Simmons held firm to bounce back from his race one disappointment in the finest fashion.

AM class contender, Ben Gregory, finished a highly commendable fourth overall and top of the AM class.

From fifth on the grid, Wojciech Swirydowicz delivered a vintage performance in race three. A six-time champion in BSR/ARLTC competition, the Polish star was back to his very best. Despite stern challenges from Marcel Tie, Carl Jansson and Adam Hadfield, Swirydowicz showed tremendously cunning race craft to keep his rivals at bay.

Ben Gregory doubled up on AM class delight in race three. Perhaps Woodhouse might not enjoy a cake walk to the AM title after all?

In a fortnight’s time, the Apex Racing League Touring Car Championship returns for the eleventh round of the season. Drivers will be relieved to enjoy an extra week of preparation for the notorious Nurburgring Nordschleife. A circuit where detailed track knowledge and experience is paramount. Catch all the live action on Apex Racing TV at 7pm GMT on Thursday the 22^nd of April.

Photos by Kevin Zhao

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