Wave Freem #1 continues the streak in Wisconsin, despite a great effort by Cetrez Nitor Velox. Ground Effect Proto is the third different race-winner in LMP2, Pescara ADG back on top in LMGTE
Close fights, big crashes and a lot of twists and turns. The 6 Hours of Road America had it all, and definitely did not disappoint, even if it was a last-minute replacement in the championship’s schedule. EES welcomed two new cars, which proved to be very fast since day one.
A close fight for the win in DPi, Wave Freem comes out on top
Five cars were collected in the crash, including the two DPi fighting for the lead
Another win in the column for Wave Freem #1 in the top class of the eSport Endurance Series. Lorenzo Arisi set the fastest time in qualifying with a 1.44.444, two tenths faster than Dennis Lind, driving the Cetrez Nitor Velox #30, new entry in the championship. The two cars changed positions and met on track quite frequently, even in scary situations. With a bit more than two hours on the clock exiting from turn 1 a big collision, involving 5 cars, could have ended very badly. Luckily, both contenders could continue without any significant damages.
Cetrez Nitor Velox #30 chased down by Wave Freem #1
The crucial event in the fight for the win was a drive through penalty assigned by the game to Dennis Lind at the fifth track cut. The Danish driver put a big effort in his final stint to recover, but was not enough to beat Arisi and Klop, who once again secured first place at the chequered flag, with a 10 seconds gap. JAESA finished in third place after starting in fifth. Road America has not been friendly to Cadillac #20, which was a lot faster in the first two rounds. LARP #44, Carloni #10 and Los Piratas #7 complete the DPi standings, as the Ground Effect entry was forced to retire due to severe connection issues.
LMP2, the most unpredictable class in the championship
Axle Sports #21, BHK #16 and MR #71 were leading after the incident occured to Wave Freem #47
Once again, LMP2 class has provided a lot of surprises and changes of lead throughout the 6 hours of racing. Wave Freem #47 started on pole, as Marco Vinciullo was fastest in qualifying, putting its Oreca ahead of Axle Sports #21 and BHK Motorsport #16. Unfortunately for him, Vinciullo was involved in the “big one”, a massive crash happened after turn 11 during the first hour, that forced the Race Direction to call a Full Course Yellow. Long repairs left BHK #16 and MR #71 in front fighting for the win, repeating what happened in Watkins Glen in the previous month.
Ground Effect Proto #18 won LMP2 in their first race in EES
Both cars, looking in control of the race, suffered different issues. BHK was forced to retire after 80 laps due to a connection lost, while MR Motorsport lost its rear wing while Pino Galota was driving. The accident costed a lot of time in repairs to #71, which fell down in P6. For the remainder of the race, due to different strategies, Axle Sports #21, Ground Effect Proto #18 and Wave Freem Junior #17 all led class’ standings, but in the end it was #18 emerging as the LMP2 winner. Great drive by Lukas Lichten and Tom Stevens, who were able to win the debut race for their entry. Wave Freem Junior #17 ended in second, with Axle Sports #21 in P3.
Pescara ADG back on top in LMGTE, closing the gap to Wave Freem
VeM #90 and ELTA #97 fought for the final podium spot until the dying minutes of the race
Masciulli and D’Alessandro got their redemption in Road America after an unlucky Round 2. ELTA #97 got pole position in qualifying, but in the race the Pescara-duo led the LMGTE field for the majority of the event, followed by Wave Freem #51, leader of the class’ standings, and second at the chequered flag. Third place, and second consecutive podium, for VeM #90, an entry that is starting to emerge as one of the fastest GTEs. It was a close finish for P3 between Mattia Crupi and Davide Arduini, with the latter having to settle for P4 in the end.
“The big one” after turn 11
LMGTE’s results were the most altered by the accident at the beginning of the race. The two HG eSports entries once again had no luck and were forced to retire. Crash was triggered by a contact between Blue Steel #23 and HG eSports #93, which sent the GTE into the wall and back on the track with the engine off. The Ferrari driven by Nicola Musiu was then hit by ARPIEM #911, Wave Freem LMP2 #47 and finally by the other HG eSports and the Panica Gaming BMW. This has been for sure the biggest crash in EES’ history.
Daytona next
Round 4 of the eSport Endurance Series 2020/2021 is one that you cannot miss. The 12 Hours of Daytona. This event will tie last year’s 12 Hours of Le Mans as the longest race ever held on e-Racing Series. Before heading to Florida later this week, it might be worth to take a look at the championship’s standings. Saturday 27th of February, 16 CET/Server Time. Save the date!
Relive the 6 hours of racing on Pitlane TV [ITA/ENG]