Last week in the iRacing Apex Racing League paddock
w/c 14th June 2021
With the iRacing Six Hours of Watkins Glen on the horizon for many top virtual racing teams, the classic American road course featured heavily in this week’s Apex Racing League schedule. For every series in the ARL paddock, circuits are as carefully curated as the cars. Therefore, providing ARL competitors with plentiful opportunity to get race sharp, is always a priority when creating each series schedule.
Apex Racing League Mazda Cup – Round 3 – Summit Point
A new season of ARL Mazda Cup is now well underway. With season one’s champion Roberto Ferrari choosing not to return, the throne is now vacant. So far, Pawel Szymanek has exhibited his case as the championship favourite. However, in the unpredictable and tense world of Mazda cup racing, nothing is guaranteed. This week’s meeting at Summit Point was no different. Although Szymanek boasted the pace to score a treble victory, the Polish star’s rivals had other ideas.
Apex Racing Academy F3 VRS Super Series – Round 9 – Watkins Glen
Entering a last chance saloon to stay in contention for the ARA F3 VRS Super Series crown, Connor Bell utilised a unique high downforce set up to overcome his rivals. A double victory under intense pressure from Paulo Draeta and QIo-Tiago Marteau confirms the Canadian as a serious contender for the ARA F3 crown at Long Beach next week.
Apex Racing Academy Porsche Cup
Only weeks after Porsche’s dramatic victory in the 24 hours of Nurburgring, the ARA Porsche Cup paddock descended on the Nordschleife. Unsurprisingly, the ‘Green Hell’ had its own plans which didn’t necessarily match the form guide. Despite a clean drive to the win in the sprint race, Josh Thompson suffered a cruel dose of reverse grid luck in the feature race. Defending champion Kamil Grabowski wasn’t on all-star form, but the Polish star retains his championship lead. For now.
Apex Racing League GT Trophy
After a difficult start to the season, Kenny Roosens has found his stride in recent races of the ARL GT Trophy. Following up on a strong run at Road Atlanta, Roosens was untouchable around the sweeping bends of Watkins Glen. Despite struggling to match the single lap pace of Roosens’ Valkyrie BMW, defending champion Gaetan Anger continues to maximise every result. After qualifying outside the top ten, eyebrows raised as the reigning king of ARL GT Trophy looked vulnerable. However, Anger dispelled any doubts with an inspired drive to fourth place.
Wave Italy ARL GT Championship – Round 8 – Watkins Glen
A rollicking battle erupted at the front of the LMP1 field in the penultimate round of the Wave Italy ARL Prototype championship on Friday night. On the eve of the iRacing Six Hours of The Glen, the ARL prototype paddock took on the New York venue for themselves. Up at the front there was controversy as the Abruzzi and OCM teams locked horns. With tempers flaring, the final round at Daytona next week should provide fireworks on and off the track.
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