GT-MES Season 9 (FINISHED)
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Challenge of Sardegna
After well known Spa, we head to lot more unknown Sardegna Road Track in Italy. To add to the challenge, we use more unusual layout of this very technical circuit.
We saw lot of great battles last weekend in Belgium, with winners in both classes having to fight for their victories.
As we have hit midseason, it is time for big performances. Some can check their ticket to Le Mans already this weekend, some need to get couple results to be able to content for title when series goes to France.
Gr2
Honda might have faced big blow after missing Round 2, but they have since been red hot, with VQS_VitmnG taking them their 3rd win of the season. He was able to stay out of the trouble in start, and after trading places in opening laps for the lead, he settled for second. But once doing his only stop of the race, and others had done their last pitstops, he was able to catch and soon past leader. He maintained good speed till end of the race, and 2-stoppers were unable to catch him. Win was his 10th overall, and second of the season, as he looks to take finaly his first title. Podium this weekend would already set him as contender for Finale, leaving him couple races room before it, to play strategic-game. He will be hoping that his teammate will start to appear in upcoming races, and take points from rivals, and help the team in Manufacturers-battle.
Lexus came back on the podium this weekend. sota59 was able to get clean first corner, even though Gr3-field seemed at first to eat him, with their fast accelerating cars. He had look even for the lead in the first lap, but decided to play it safe, and got even dropped back to P4 for few moments. He was hit once again with brake-problems, and big gap to leaders was formed. But going with more aggressive 2-stop tactic, and with leaders battling for track position, he was able to catch, lap after lap. Issues with lapping cars cost him bit time, but he was able to climb to second place in the end. That is disappointment considering that he had weight-advantage, and right strategy in the end. jonirune91 in sister car had to miss race, another disappointment for the team, as he likely would been on the podium also.
Nissan looked like to take their first win of the season, but endured bad luck, and bad decisions. G4 Rotary finally got his internet sorted, and was setting great pace on qualifying, and even took he lead of the race in the start. He battled hard with VQS_VitmnG for laps, but was one in the lead as pair headed to their only pitstops. All looked good for him, but mistake in pitstop ruined his race. Mediums did not work at all, and cost him lot of time each lap. He also under fueled the car, what meant that after losing lead, he had to start saving loads of fuel, and drop to 3rd place. He did not drop any further positions, as his teammate TaZZ_1990 had big accident in first lap, after doing mistake while battling for position. Nissan will be one to watch in Italy this weekend, as TaZZ_1990 setted great pace last season there.
Gr3
Audi started season well, but missing Round 3 hurt their manufacturer-dreams badly. But Round 1 winner DamienBlack returned, and with top place. Leading after start, he had to fight hard for his place. Battle stayed close, but German was able to drive clean, and take his 2nd win of the season. Like VQS_VitmnG, he will be set for title-fight in Le Mans, if scores podium this weekend. That would be clutch move for rookie, in this very tight class. Road2FURY is looking to return after couple races, and return winning ways.
Mercedes season go to awfull start, but after hiring ERT_Swablu, their are back on podium. Rookie from UK battled for lead first half of the race, but accident while lapping car took him out of the fight. But he showed great pace, so expect him to fight for wins rest of the season.
Porsche been on top form lately, but could not keep up with leaders in Belgium. farin79 drove clean, boring race and finished 3rd. His is one of the drivers that could set his place in Le Mans with another podium. His teammate Emilius73 was not far behind, but struggled with lag, and was catched by lapping cars due it. Reset might be good form him, watch him be on podium this weekend.
Ferrari is out of manufacturers-title fight, but if Nils returns winning ways soon, they will be lot more to look out for. German won in Sardegna last season in Gr4, so he could be one to watch once again. Locke will be looking for more experience.
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Heading to Japan!
This weekend we go to Japan, legendary Fuji Speedway. Very fast speed track, with that very long straight. Unlike last weekend, this time all drivers should have plenty of experience of this circuit.
Lack of experience showed in Sardegna for many. And it was no suprise that more experienced drivers won in the end.
Gr2
Lexus showed good speed in Spa, and it looked good on paper heading in to the weekend. sota59 had great testing pre-race, and showed good speed in quali. Jumped to the lead in the start, and started to put good clean laps in. His teammate jonirune91 got jumped by some Gr3-cars in start, but once he got back pass, he quickly made it 1-2 for Lexus. They kept it all clean during the race, and after pitstops, gap opened behind. jonirune91 got big scare midrace, as he had to take his car offtrack to avoid spinning backmarker. But in the end, they were able to take quite easy 1-2 for Lexus. jonirune91 will be lone car in Fuji, and he has big pressure to make to the podium, to help his title-bid.
Nissan was looking finally winning their first race of the season, but dream quickly got unrealistic, as neither driver could not drive clean race. TaZZ_1990 was maybe the favorite for the weekend, showed his speed for brilliant late pole, both lost lead in the start, and small mistake next lap cost him second place. He was able to keep up with car ahead for until pitstops, but then mistakes started to happen, and he dropped off. G4 Rotary realised already in quali, that race would be long and hard. No experience in track showed, lack of speed and several mistaked meant he would get lapped, and finished far of the lead. But lack of success means he gets no weight added, and that makes him one of favorites for Fuji. Both Nissan-drivers need to win this race. Pressure is up.
Honda had no driver starting in the race, second time of the season, taking them truly out of the running for manufacturers-title. VQS_VitmnG is sitting strong, even after missing couple races. Podium in Japan would seal his bid for title-battle in Le Mans, after winning twice earlier in the season. Man from UK won in Fuji in Season 4, so look out for him, even if running little heavy.
Gr3
Porsche is looking strong for both titles. farin79 won his second race of the season with dominant performance. He battled himself to the lead, and after that he was setting good, clean laps, and won quite easily. This is quite incredible, as last season in Sardegna, he could not stop himself crashing. He is currently sitting nicely, only really second place could help his bid this point. He could rather take it easy, and maybe try to avoid weight penalties, and wait for Le Mans. His teammate Emilius73 missed the race last time out, but is looking like potential winner ahead of the weekend. He could really do with win or couple podiums before Finale.
Audi's team leader DamienBlack struggled, as expected in his first appearence in Sardegna. Not many mistakes, but just lacked speed againt experienced drivers. But keeping car on road rewarded him with second place in the end. Like farin79, he really could try to avoid weight penalties next two races, if not able to chase top points.
Ferrari's Nils won in Sardegna last season, and looked like favorite. He did take great pole, even passed some Gr2-cars in start, but mistakes dropped him far back as race went along. He set some amazing lap times though, and earned him extra point atleast for his effort. He is under big pressure to take his first win of the season, to keep up with the leaders, and he has some past experience here, winning in Season 4.
Mercedes-driver ERT_Swablu is out of title-fight due missing so many races, but will be exciting to follow rest of the season, as he is known to be fast.
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End of the season is near
We head to track of Laguna Sega for Round 7. This is first time since Season 3 that GT-MES goes to USA.
Legendary track is very technical, with lot of tight corners, and with narrow track, little margin for error. This track will be new for many, so it will be down to who makes mistakes, and who keeps its on the black stuff.
Last race in Fuji was very interesting, we saw major accident in start, and drama in final laps.
Gr2
Honda returned back with a bang, once again. VQS_VitmnG only just got the pole, avoided problems in the start, and was able to stay in the lead. He outsmarted others in final part of race, and took win quite easily. Honda is out of manufacturer-title fight due missing couple races, but domination has been clear, as they have won every race they have taken part in. VQS_VitmnG does not really any kinda a result after winning 3 races already, but finishing in top 2 would grow his lead even bigger. But that seems unlikely, as he has twice as many ticks than his rivals, so it might be smarter to focus on getting that car lighter before Le Mans, next week.
Nissan yet again in podium, but still not winning. G4 Rotary had good speed after difficult race in Italy. But he was taken out in start, having to make big comeback for good points. But he did it, finishing incredible second. TaZZ_1990 had clean race, but just did not have speed to challenge leader, and was relegated to 3rd as he had to save fuel. Even though podium is always great results, German really does not benefit from third places this point, and only increased his weight for last 2 races. But speed has been good from both, surely win is coming?
Lexus seemed like settling on podium-places after inconstant start to the season, but failed to make the podium in their home race in Japan. jonirune91 struggled for the ultimate speed, and resulted finishing out of the podium. This was quite a big blow for his title chances, now needing wins, and bit luck to make his way top of the standings. He has no experience in Laguna Seca, so him making those points back seems unlikely. His teammate sota59 will return this weekend, he has experience in this new track, but we only known when cars hit track for quali, if speed is there. sota59 is in same position as his teammate, he needs big results, and luck to catch the leader, but never count him out.
Gr3
Porsche looks increasingly likely, to take their second manufacturers title, after first winning it in Season 7. They also look strong to take their first drivers title since Season 2, as both of their drivers have won 2 races already this season. Emilius73 returned with a bang, showing incredible speed, even after being taken out in major crash with a teammate in start. His rise this season has been amazing, as in past he was unable to fight for wins, now in great position for title. Podium this weekend would be make his chances even better for Le Mans. His teammate farin79 caused that big crash in start, and due that, he has drive through-penalty for this weekends race. But even after the crash, he was able to take important second place, that increases his lead in championship even bigger. Penalty hurts his chances big time in Laguna Seca, but he can take bad race. Only really win would help his prospects for Le Mans after having couple wins and second places already. Also having couple less ticks could help.....
Audi's DamienBlack made bold choice of dropping from second to third last time out in Fuji to reduce his ticks. His decision is bit questionable, he could really have used extra points for second place, and did not really reduce his ticks that much, but also failed to get extra point for fastest lap. There is rumours that he might again this weekend try to reduce his ticks for Le Mans. We will watch if this happens, but he could do with top 2 place, try keep his rivals behind from gaining points, but also himself getting closer to leader.
Ferrari's Nils has missed several races this season, but is still in it, fight his consistent podiums. But fact is, he needs to win both final 2 races, otherwise it is over for German. He has lot less ticks than his rivals currently, and has shown great speed, so win is not unrealistic at all.
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FINALE THIS WEEKEND!!!!
It is time for legendary Le Mans to end the season. 1 hour special in this high speed circuit will give our drivers 2x points, meaning all titles will be decided in France once again. Some drivers have put themselves on better position than others, but if you cant do it when i counts, you cant win the title. In past we have seen drivers who have been men to beat almost all season, fall to mistakes in final round.
Gr2
VQS_VitmnG started season as clear favorite after signing with legendary Honda. He was regarded as best driver without title in GT-MES history even before the season. Lack of titles has been result of falling to errors in Finale. He won here in Season 3, but was already too much behind in points to claim title in his rookie season. Next season he was man to beat all season, but errors cost him title. In his 3rd season he was fell bit behind of his teammate, but when his teammate tripped over in Finale, VQS_VitmnG had also yet again crashed severely, leaving him unable to score result needed. This season he started with absolute domination, showing even more what many were expecting. Britt won 2 more races, and even after struggling in wet, he secured important podium in Austria. But even though he has been dominating races this season, he has left door open for others, by missing 3 races. Luckily nobody has stood up clear challenger, meaning VQS_VitmnG can secure title with atleast second place in Finale. But there is no room for mistakes this time. He has clearly heaviest car of class, so race will be difficult.
G4 Rotary in Nissan has been pace wise closest contender for VQS_VitmnG, but couple rounds missed, and few trips during the season has cost him points. British rookie started season with great second place, but technical problems meant he had to miss next 2 races. He returned in Spa, and looked like winning, but strategy error cost him dear. After race to forget in Sardegna, great result in Fuji after being victim in accident. All clicked together finally in Laguna Seca last weekend, winning his first race. G4 Rotary needs to atleast win in Le Mans for title, but he has the speed for it. Another rookie champion in making?
His veteran teammate TaZZ_1990 has not won this season, but this is best chance he has had for title. German has constantly put car to podium this season, but even though he has solid change for the title, it looks unlikely, and he might instead focus on team game. Former winner in Le Mans in Season 7, so look out for him.
5-champion sota59 in Lexus has had interesting season. Difficult season opener, followed up by pair of missed races. In Spa he was able to claim great second place even after stuggles. He pulled it all together all together in Sardegna, to win by clear margin. Laguna Seca was stuggle, but walked away with second place. Missed races has hurt him, and that is why he currently has bigger gap to leader, but he has good shot for title if championship leader
struggles. 5- time winner in Le Mans, last one having come last season, he could be man to beat.
Teammate of his in Lexus is jonirune91. Even after winning race earlier this season, he has lacked consistency, and his title chances are small, so he will be helping his teammate this time around. He has finished second twice before behind his teammate in Le Mans before, both times being helping him to title. That would also this season secure the title....
Gr3
farin79 has been loyal for Porsche for while now, and it looks like paying diffidence finally. German has won twice, and also got good podium finished to back his title run. He leads championship for final round by point, for fastest lap. In now his 5th season, he has won several times, but never lead championship before. He looks good for finale, but has very little lead, and has never had success in Le Mans. He pretty much needs to beat his rivals this weekend, what basically means winning the race. Can he do it?
Only rookie in this title fight is German DamienBlack in Audi. He started season with excellent win. History has favored debutants winners in title battles, with almost everyone winning championship end of their first season. German followed his success in Round 1 with important podiums, and critical second win. He tried bold tactics in Fuji, we will see this weekend if reduced weight will help him to victory.
Biggest story this season has been rise of Mexican Emilius73. Porsche driver raised some eyebrows in Round 1 with his much improved showing, and he continued it next round, winning finally his first win. He was record holder with most races without wins, that is now behind him clearly, as he took later his second win. Those wins and couple podiums makes him strong contender this weekend, him winning title would be quite story. His past results in Le Mans has been quite awfull, but will this much improved driver change that?
2-time champion Nils has not been quite himself resent times. German has fell to mistakes often, and times has not shown speed we know him to have. But he has collected podiums, and win last round has got him to strong postion this weekend, so 3rd title could be on cards. He has won in Le Mans couple times, so watch him out.
Manufacturers
Porsche has been been clearly leading the battle this season, several wins and consistant podiums by both drivers. They look secure for 2nd title, but need to keep it up, with extra points in offer.
If they were to slip up Nissan is first in line to pick the title up, but Lexus and Audi also have small chance.
