Battle for the win in DPi and LMP2 came down to the final hour, while LMGTE fight was cut short by two accidents
First round of the eSport Endurance Series 2020/2021 did not let us down. A bright sun welcomed the 35 cars on track, but drivers had to face the tough challenge of many hours in the dark. In the end, in all three classes won the crew which made less mistakes and managed to stay away from troubles, as it usually is in endurance races.
DPi: Wave Freem wins a close battle with Jean Alesi eSports Academy
Caruso and Malghera lapping Pagani in the last hour of racing
New class, old story. Once again Wave Freem #1 takes home the win but this time things were not easy. After getting the pole, Arisi was chased by Quintaié. Pescara’s driver changed tires in his first pit stop and this costed him a lot of time, while both Wave Freem and JAESA entries did a triple stint on the same set. The two cars exchanged the lead for the entire race due to different strategies, and pit-stops decided the race. #1 managed to save enough fuel to do one stop less than #20 and this explains the 32 seconds gap between the teams. Arisi and Malghera finished in style setting also the fastest lap of the race (1.42.502). The battle for the title will be on more than ever in the upcoming rounds, and Pescara #4, P3 at the chequered flag, will be in as well. DPi standings are completed by Los Piratas (P4) and Carloni Racing Buildsim in P5 at their first experience on rFactor 2.
Surprising results in LMP2 as BHK Motorsport completes last to first challenge
BHK Motorsport #16 started from last place and won the race
You might have already heard about last to first challenge in offline racing games, but probably never in online endurances. BHK Motorsport pulled an outstanding performance in Suzuka and won the LMP2 class after skipping qualifying for technical issues. Alessandro Ottaviani drove for more than 4 and a half hours keeping himself away from troubles, Santaguida and Longo completed the job. The latter took a big risk in the final hour as he made light contact with the barrier, but Oreca #16 did not suffer a lot of damage and made it to the line in P1.
Azlan and Smeriglio fighting for the lead. Axle Sports #21 ended in P6 after taking pole, while Wave Freem #47 saw the chequered flag in P4
LMP2 class saw three different leaders throughout the 8 hours of racing. Axle Sports #21 took the pole and led the race for more than four hours before crashing in the first sector. While spinning, the Malaysian driver was unlucky to collect also Ferrari #92 and the hit costed a lot of time for repairs. Then, Wave Freem #47 and Rookie Monsters #37 both suffered disconnections while leading, while Naja #46 had a big crash that caused the only Full Course Yellow of the day. An unlucky ending as the team navigated in the podium positions for most of the race. In the end, it was #37 which managed to end in P2, almost one lap behind the class’ leaders. P3 for Wave Freem Junior #17.
Pescara easily wins, as HG eSports and ELTA Customs are collected in incidents
Panica Gaming #74 and TR Bluvos Motorsport #88 were forced to retire soon after a big crash in sector 1
LMGTE class proved to be a lot balanced, but this time a few episodes influenced the final outcome of the race. It took less than one hour to already lose three cars. Panica Gaming #74 and TR Bluvos Motorsport #88 were collected in an accident in sector 1 which forced both Porsches to retire from the race. The two cars were soon joined by Leo Racing Team #61 in the DNF list, as Alessandro Puoti suffered a lot of issues with his hardware during the first stint.
HG #92, Pescara #77 and ELTA #97 fighting for the lead
During the first half of the race the fight for the lead involved Pescara #77, ELTA #97 and HG eSports #92. Wave Freem Junior #51 followed not too far behind until a clash with the Pescara DPi at 130R gave a big hit to their chances of winning. Zanrosso (#92) and Arduini (#97) were also involved in incidents that costed them a lot of repair times in the pitlane. In the end, Pescara’s drivers did a great job in managing the situation and came home with the win at the chequered flag. P2 for the Wave Freem Junior, 3DRap #63 completes the podium after an outstanding performance by the trio Specchio-Caponi-Pacini. ARPIEM Simracing #911 interrupted the Ferrari-domination by finishing in P5 just behind HG eSports.
Looking back at the 8 hours of racing in Japan, we can already say that the results of this championship will not be so easy to predict, as every class has some serious contenders for the final win. With next month’s race we will start a three rounds trip to the United States that will end in February with the 12 Hours of Daytona. At that point, we could possibly understand which teams will be in the fight for the titles. More answers will already come after the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen, planned for Saturday 19th of December, the last endurance race of the year.
Relive the 8 Hours of Suzuka on Pitlane TV!