- 648
- Glamis California
- Sand__68
SNAIL Michelin Pilot Challenge 2024/2025 - Series Champion, Bologna_Duc - Congratulations on a great Win Overall!!Finished
- Thread starter llNovall
- 712 comments
- 68,624 views
- 50
- Ohio
- Wetroadracer
- Wetroadracer
- 5,495
- Bel Air, MD
- NOVA-0479
@RACECAR , You are guaranteed a spot on tonight's grid. See you on track soon.
- 5,495
- Bel Air, MD
- NOVA-0479
@MrDonovan and @RACECAR last call for start of qualifying
- 2,920
- Québec
- GTP_WorstDriver
Confirming for next round.
- 1,363
- Ca
- Kgffy28
Need too learn how too import pics and videos from app, but anyways great racing this evening, I’m more proud of this round then my win at the Mountain because i practiced a lot and getting pole and fastest lap race1 was cool, and the finish was icing on the cake
@Noob01_lmdead @socalnatv @Bologna_Duc
Intense lap1
@Noob01_lmdead @socalnatv @Bologna_Duc
Intense lap1
Attachments
- 5,495
- Bel Air, MD
- NOVA-0479
That was it for the MPC. Be sure to confirm for the Porsche series starting in June. Great season sir....wish you didn't miss that one race. We would have had one more in contention for the Championship. Always great racing you. (BTW, that Aston sounded great when in door to door battles)
- 869
- MONTERREY
I share my journey from last to 3rd
Best race ever
Best race ever
- 1,363
- Ca
- Kgffy28
Awesome, share race1 where KGNOOB almost got u hehe
- 5,495
- Bel Air, MD
- NOVA-0479
Great job Raul...awesome drive. Watching that video, I started to wonder if I had a hitch on the back of my Bimmer with a blue and orange McLaren hooked to it.
- 2,920
- Québec
- GTP_WorstDriver
- 1,330
- Saskatchewan
- DUB-L-DEE
Thanks again @llNovall for organizing and maintaining this series! As always it was a lot of fun and great racing throughout! The amount of work you put into it is a lot, and just know it is appreciated! The best racing in GT7 by far!
Congrats to @Bologna_Duc on the Championship, and also too @llNovall and @bublyman for getting 2nd and 3rd on the season!
Thanks to everyone for the great racing and most of all Thanks to my teammates @Buffalo_DRD @Worst_Driver and @CdnSweetTee . We had a great series and this all Canadian team did very well.
Looking forward to the Porsche series next month.
Congrats to @Bologna_Duc on the Championship, and also too @llNovall and @bublyman for getting 2nd and 3rd on the season!
Thanks to everyone for the great racing and most of all Thanks to my teammates @Buffalo_DRD @Worst_Driver and @CdnSweetTee . We had a great series and this all Canadian team did very well.
Looking forward to the Porsche series next month.
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- 35,882
- Addison,Texas
- GTP_RACECAR
While I didn't race a whole lot with you folks, I had fun whenever I did. Shame I couldn't get a handle on the issues because I was looking forward to having a similar race I did at Spa, probably THE most competitive I was ever while racing you guys.
- 434
- Orange City, FL
- Radliffpower
Thanks for the great racing action all season @llNovall! I'm looking forward to the next one.
Congratulations @Mac1032763 for placing 1st in the last race of the season. Doing so as the sole Cat 5 Racing team member to attend.
To all the drivers involved, thank you for the great bumper to bumper action. It's been a lot of fun racing along side all of this talent.
Congratulations @Mac1032763 for placing 1st in the last race of the season. Doing so as the sole Cat 5 Racing team member to attend.
To all the drivers involved, thank you for the great bumper to bumper action. It's been a lot of fun racing along side all of this talent.
- 338
- Niagara Region
- DRD_Niagara
2024 Michelin Pilot Challenge - Presented by SNAIL
Hosted by PSN: NOVA-0479
Event #7 - SPA Francorchamps
Friday May 9, 2025
Event #7/ Race #1 Recap
Preamble:
We go to Belgium for the last event of the 2024 Michelin Pilot Challenge and we come into the event with 4 drivers contenting for the championship. (@Bologna_Duc / @llNovall / @bublyman / @JDMKING13). A top 5 position in the standings is up for grabs for drivers 5 through 8 as they're separated by only 4 points. (@Noob01_lmdead / @Worst_Driver / @Buffalo_DRD / @socalnatv ).
The changes to the grid for this event are as follows:
Qualifying Table:
I expected somebody to get into the 2:25 to claim pole as I saw that number pop up a few times during practices. But @Kgffy's 2:26.389 was good enough by a decent margin to claim his 2nd pole of the season. He puts his BMW on the front row alongside @Noob01_lmdead. Behind them will be the Corvettes of @Bologna_Duc and @socalnatv.
This being the 7th and final Event of the season, we saw Chevrolet and BMW claim two poles each (@Bologna_Duc & @Kgffy x 2), McLaren (@JDMKING13), AMG (@THMP) and Toyota (@radliffracing) each have one.
Event #7 / Race #1:
Final Event #7 / Race #1 Results Table:
Event #7 / Race #1 Broadcast:
Driver(s) of the Race Award:
As I review the replay a few times to pull pictures and to record the broadcast, things stand out to me so I give a shout-out to the following drivers for their performance in Event #7 / Race #1:
Final Thoughts:
DRD_Niagara
Director of Media Relations
Hosted by PSN: NOVA-0479
Event #7 - SPA Francorchamps
Friday May 9, 2025
Event #7/ Race #1 Recap
Preamble:
We go to Belgium for the last event of the 2024 Michelin Pilot Challenge and we come into the event with 4 drivers contenting for the championship. (@Bologna_Duc / @llNovall / @bublyman / @JDMKING13). A top 5 position in the standings is up for grabs for drivers 5 through 8 as they're separated by only 4 points. (@Noob01_lmdead / @Worst_Driver / @Buffalo_DRD / @socalnatv ).
The changes to the grid for this event are as follows:
- OUT - @CdnSweetTee, @radliffracing, @THMP, @Wetroadracer, @MrDonovan, @cesarr64
- IN - @Worst_Driver, @Fudman420, @Dragonwhisky
Qualifying Table:
I expected somebody to get into the 2:25 to claim pole as I saw that number pop up a few times during practices. But @Kgffy's 2:26.389 was good enough by a decent margin to claim his 2nd pole of the season. He puts his BMW on the front row alongside @Noob01_lmdead. Behind them will be the Corvettes of @Bologna_Duc and @socalnatv.
This being the 7th and final Event of the season, we saw Chevrolet and BMW claim two poles each (@Bologna_Duc & @Kgffy x 2), McLaren (@JDMKING13), AMG (@THMP) and Toyota (@radliffracing) each have one.
Event #7 / Race #1:
LAP #1:
For the last time this season, it's lights out at SPA Francorchamps. @Noob01_lmdead got a great jump and managed to exit turn 1 with the lead bumping @Kgffy to 2nd. The only casualty was @Mac1032763 who was probably a tad too aggressive on the accelerator and ended up spinning out of T1.
LAP #1:
@Noob01_lmdead didn't get as great of a go through Eau Rouge on Lap #1 which allowed @Kgffy to briefly regain his lead. However, by the end of the Kemmel Straight, it was @socalnatv that was in the top spot. He does great slowing down his car despite the dirty tires on his right side.
LAP #1:
As the group is battling for positions., @DublDee was edged out and his right side tires also got dirty. This proved costly a few turns later and was likely the cause of him losing his grip heading downhill between turns 10 and 11. He'd drop from 5th to last.
LAP #2 - Lead Change:
On the back straight on Lap #2, @Kgffy managed to regain his lead. @socalnatv and @Noob01_lmdead are running 2/3. @Bologna_Duc, @Buffalo_DRD & @bublyman round off the top 5.
Lap #4
Most of the passes occurred on either of the straights in this race. @llNovall has moved past @Buffalo_DRD and is shown getting ahead of @bublyman on the Kemmel Straight.
LAP #4:
After another spin at some point, probably by pushing to make up some ground, @DublDee has decided to retire the car.
LAP #5 - Lead Change:
@socalnatv , @Kgffy and @Noob01_lmdead are hard on the brakes. @Kgffy got a little jittery and @socalnatv managed to retake the lead. @Noob01_lmdead would also take advantage and move into 2nd place.
LAP #6:
Elsewhere on the grid, @Worst_Driver and @JDMKING13 spent most of the race together. Here they are taking the shortest route around the track really hugging T1 of Lap #6.
LAP #6:
@Mac1032763, running 11th again spins on the back half of the track. His life is spared by @Dragonwhisky's evasive maneuvering. @Fudman420 can be seen just ahead in 10th. I believe I captured this sequence from @Dragonwhisky's perspective in the broadcast below.
LAP #7:
The top 9 are pictured here but the action is white-hot at the front. @Noob01_lmdead gave a real hard push to overtake @socalnatv by the end of the straight but came up just short. He'll have to line him up again next lap.
LAP #8 - Lead Change:
Same spot at the very next lap, @Noob01_lmdead take another shot at @socalnatv and this time he'd get his man and the lead. The top 4 has shuffled positions quite a bit but remain intact.
LAP #8:
Later on Lap #8, it was series leader @Bologna_Duc that would spin near the end of sector #2. He'd fall from 4th to 9th. Would this slip-up cost him the Championship?
Lap #10:
@Kgffy had a good run through the chicane on Lap #10 and would managed to move ahead of @socalnatv by T1 of Lap #10. @Noob01_lmdead still leads and @llNovall can be seen running 4th. What cannot be seen here is @bublyman who's right on @llNovall.
LAP #11:
Since being passed by @llNovall on Lap #4, @bublyman has mounted a non-stop assault on @llNovall and has been occupying much of @llNovall's rearview mirror.
LAP #12:
Positions 4 through 9 are still being contested with 1 lap to go. Any slip up or non-critical mistake is all that is needed to gain or lose a few spots.
LAP #13:
What a finish, you almost have to watch the reply to believe it. @Kgffy put up his fastest lap of the race on lap #12 to attack @Noob01_lmdead, who also put up his fastest lap of the race to defend. In the end, @Noob01_lmdead manages to hold off @Kgffy by 0.013 seconds but @Kgffy ensures he completely photobombs @Noob01_lmdead's victory picture.
For the last time this season, it's lights out at SPA Francorchamps. @Noob01_lmdead got a great jump and managed to exit turn 1 with the lead bumping @Kgffy to 2nd. The only casualty was @Mac1032763 who was probably a tad too aggressive on the accelerator and ended up spinning out of T1.
LAP #1:
@Noob01_lmdead didn't get as great of a go through Eau Rouge on Lap #1 which allowed @Kgffy to briefly regain his lead. However, by the end of the Kemmel Straight, it was @socalnatv that was in the top spot. He does great slowing down his car despite the dirty tires on his right side.
LAP #1:
As the group is battling for positions., @DublDee was edged out and his right side tires also got dirty. This proved costly a few turns later and was likely the cause of him losing his grip heading downhill between turns 10 and 11. He'd drop from 5th to last.
LAP #2 - Lead Change:
On the back straight on Lap #2, @Kgffy managed to regain his lead. @socalnatv and @Noob01_lmdead are running 2/3. @Bologna_Duc, @Buffalo_DRD & @bublyman round off the top 5.
Lap #4
Most of the passes occurred on either of the straights in this race. @llNovall has moved past @Buffalo_DRD and is shown getting ahead of @bublyman on the Kemmel Straight.
LAP #4:
After another spin at some point, probably by pushing to make up some ground, @DublDee has decided to retire the car.
LAP #5 - Lead Change:
@socalnatv , @Kgffy and @Noob01_lmdead are hard on the brakes. @Kgffy got a little jittery and @socalnatv managed to retake the lead. @Noob01_lmdead would also take advantage and move into 2nd place.
LAP #6:
Elsewhere on the grid, @Worst_Driver and @JDMKING13 spent most of the race together. Here they are taking the shortest route around the track really hugging T1 of Lap #6.
LAP #6:
@Mac1032763, running 11th again spins on the back half of the track. His life is spared by @Dragonwhisky's evasive maneuvering. @Fudman420 can be seen just ahead in 10th. I believe I captured this sequence from @Dragonwhisky's perspective in the broadcast below.
LAP #7:
The top 9 are pictured here but the action is white-hot at the front. @Noob01_lmdead gave a real hard push to overtake @socalnatv by the end of the straight but came up just short. He'll have to line him up again next lap.
LAP #8 - Lead Change:
Same spot at the very next lap, @Noob01_lmdead take another shot at @socalnatv and this time he'd get his man and the lead. The top 4 has shuffled positions quite a bit but remain intact.
LAP #8:
Later on Lap #8, it was series leader @Bologna_Duc that would spin near the end of sector #2. He'd fall from 4th to 9th. Would this slip-up cost him the Championship?
Lap #10:
@Kgffy had a good run through the chicane on Lap #10 and would managed to move ahead of @socalnatv by T1 of Lap #10. @Noob01_lmdead still leads and @llNovall can be seen running 4th. What cannot be seen here is @bublyman who's right on @llNovall.
LAP #11:
Since being passed by @llNovall on Lap #4, @bublyman has mounted a non-stop assault on @llNovall and has been occupying much of @llNovall's rearview mirror.
LAP #12:
Positions 4 through 9 are still being contested with 1 lap to go. Any slip up or non-critical mistake is all that is needed to gain or lose a few spots.
LAP #13:
What a finish, you almost have to watch the reply to believe it. @Kgffy put up his fastest lap of the race on lap #12 to attack @Noob01_lmdead, who also put up his fastest lap of the race to defend. In the end, @Noob01_lmdead manages to hold off @Kgffy by 0.013 seconds but @Kgffy ensures he completely photobombs @Noob01_lmdead's victory picture.
Final Event #7 / Race #1 Results Table:
Event #7 / Race #1 Broadcast:
Driver(s) of the Race Award:
As I review the replay a few times to pull pictures and to record the broadcast, things stand out to me so I give a shout-out to the following drivers for their performance in Event #7 / Race #1:
- Very difficult to pick as there was lots of good stuff here to pick from. I'm going to go with the top 3 of @Noob01_lmdead, @Kgffy and @socalnatv. They each took turns with the lead and were in close quarters several times with very minimal contact.
Final Thoughts:
- Certainly some extra room on the track in this race with a less than idea 13 drivers participating.
- Nice race @Noob01_lmdead. I like to draw a correlation between your recent results in this series with your return to Snail's Spec League.
- On that note, as this series is wrapped up and we have a break in the calendar, some good racing with lots of folks from this group is available to you in Snail's Sunday Night SPEC League. Come as a part timer or as a full timer, we'd love to have you.
DRD_Niagara
Director of Media Relations
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- 5,495
- Bel Air, MD
- NOVA-0479
(in order of Championship Final Season Standings)
Award Recognition
Checkered Flag = Single Race Wins
Track Map Outline = Overall Event Wins
Post Race Report and Scoring
Event #7, Season Finale
at Spa Francorchamps
Well, there it is, another SNAIL Friday Night Racing series season in the books, and one of the most tightly contested we have seen all the way to the end. The racing was intense, the pace very close across the board, and a season finale that had so much riding for many drivers for final placement. The fact that we had 4 drivers in striking distance of the Championship and another 4 so close in points to round out the top 8, was a testament to how competitive and challenging this series was. An amazing season, and a huge thank you for everyone's commitment and enthusiasm which makes all the efforts in organizing these well worth it.
For this event, it was another very challenging and stressful set of races. Knowing the implications of was at stake, and the fact that the other Championship contenders were just in front or immediately behind me ramped the stressors up through the roof. In the first race Duc gave me some breathing room and hope of a championship win, however, bublyman was glued to my rear bumper. In race 2, I tried everything to find the pace to run down Duc, but he just kept opening the gap. And, the harder I pushed, Bublyman would just get back on my bumper. Then enters Raul for the last few laps of race 2. I thought I could lock up a 3rd place finish or possibly go after Duc who looked to be running some slower/safe laps toward the end. Instead, I found myself in a heated battle with Raul over race 2's final podium spot. After a few changes back and forth of position and some clean elbows out racing, Raul clinched and stole that 3rd place spot. I would have been a few more points, but still not enough to cover Duc's Championship Points lead. In the end, Duc's 2nd place finish and fast lap in Race 2 would garner the points needed to lock down the Championship and cover Nova by 8 points in 2nd place. With all that mentioned on the challenge side, I had to defend what felt like 25 total laps against a mistake free bublyman assault. While a championship win would have been great, I am happy with 2nd place knowing what I had to do to defend it against that blue and orange McLaren. In the end I was able to cover, leaving Bublyman to round out the top 3 overall. That was my race night and the cap to my season, and I know there is too much else to highlight, but please take a look at the replays...certainly worth the watches.
Race broadcasts and race re-caps are linked below, compliments of @Buffalo_DRD .....Great work as always sir. Also, for anyone interested, you can view the actual in-game replays through the search tag: snailmpc. Feel free to elaborate on any battles/exchanges you may have shared for this event.
Despite a few incidents, overall it was a great night of racing.
Minimal lag/jittering was present across the field, but was overall manageable.
Now for Scoring:
Congratulations to Rauljimenez76 / @Noob01_lmdead (#12) on his first Overall Win!!
Great work!!
Also, Congratulations to our Top 3 Overall:
1st: Rauljimenez76 / @Noob01_lmdead (#12)
2nd: kgffty / @Kgffy (#84)
3rd: DucatiRobb / @Bologna_Duc (#88)
CONGRATULATIONS TO @Bologna_Duc FOR 1ST PLACE OVERALL AND THE 2024/2025 SNAIL MICHELIN PILOT CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP!! GREAT RACING AND WELL DESERVED!!
CONGRATULATIONS TO N.R.D.S MOTORSPORTS ON A DOMINANT WIN OVERALL ON THE TEAM POIINTS CHAMIONSHIP
Awards:
DucatiRobb / @Bologna_Duc (#88), please apply a Championship trophy or wreath decal of your choosing to display on your driver side quarter window in recognition of your official overall Championship Series Win.
Rauljimenez76 / @Noob01_lmdead (#12), please apply a "white" track map decal of Spa Francorchamps to your driver side quarter window in recognition of your official overall Event #7 win, and apply the checkered flag decal linked below in recognition of your Race 1 win to your driver side quarter window. >>>> Awards Link for Details and Decals
mac1032763 / @Mac1032763 (#420) , please apply the checkered flag decal linked below in recognition of your Race 2 win to your driver side quarter window. >>>> Awards Link for Details and Decals
Series main Spotters Guide and Driver Profile page has been updated in order of driver standings with award tags and overall podium placement acknowledgements.>>>Driver Profile Page and Spotter's Guide
For any drivers that care to participate in displaying their Driver Standing for next event, please see the spoiler tab below for details. Please verify your current driver standing on the scoresheet provided, or by the driver profile page linked in this post. Please be sure to update your livery prior to each event. If in doubt, simply remove the numbers before the event. See the Spoiler tab below:
Driver Standings Recognition
Drivers will be encouraged, not required, to display their current driver standing going into each event after Event #1, though there will be a few rules and requirements.
Drivers who are interested in diplaying their current standing, should collect the following green digital numbers 0-9.
After scoring is finalized and Post Race report issued, drivers will be cleared to edit their driver standing on their number board along with any award tags. Drivers should apply their Standing on both side's boards and be sure their number is in line with their actual standing in the Championship.
Should look like this:
Rules and requirements:
To maintain accuracy and integrity to this recognition, drivers who choose to add their standing to their car will be required to submit an updated profile picture before each event with their scrutineering tuning sheet. Submissions will be reviewed post event just as I do for the driver regulations.
If a driver forgets to submit the car picture with a standing displayed or has the wrong standing placement displayed , it will result in a 5 point penalty against the overall event score. This has to be in place to ensure that those who want to display their standing, maintains the attention and accuracy for it to be credible.
If choosing to display, be sure your edited livery is correct, accurate, and saved prior to each event. If unsure or not interested in displaying your standing, simply leave it blank or just apply double zeros.
The profile pictures will not be used for the Driver profile page, only for scrutineering to maintain the integrity of this recognition.
Again, this is optional, but if done correctly, it will be a great way to know who is where in the standings as the season unfolds.
Drivers will be encouraged, not required, to display their current driver standing going into each event after Event #1, though there will be a few rules and requirements.
Drivers who are interested in diplaying their current standing, should collect the following green digital numbers 0-9.
After scoring is finalized and Post Race report issued, drivers will be cleared to edit their driver standing on their number board along with any award tags. Drivers should apply their Standing on both side's boards and be sure their number is in line with their actual standing in the Championship.
Should look like this:
Rules and requirements:
To maintain accuracy and integrity to this recognition, drivers who choose to add their standing to their car will be required to submit an updated profile picture before each event with their scrutineering tuning sheet. Submissions will be reviewed post event just as I do for the driver regulations.
If a driver forgets to submit the car picture with a standing displayed or has the wrong standing placement displayed , it will result in a 5 point penalty against the overall event score. This has to be in place to ensure that those who want to display their standing, maintains the attention and accuracy for it to be credible.
If choosing to display, be sure your edited livery is correct, accurate, and saved prior to each event. If unsure or not interested in displaying your standing, simply leave it blank or just apply double zeros.
The profile pictures will not be used for the Driver profile page, only for scrutineering to maintain the integrity of this recognition.
Again, this is optional, but if done correctly, it will be a great way to know who is where in the standings as the season unfolds.
Race 1 Re-Cap by Niagara
Race 2 Broadcast in Porcessing
Below is the PP Regulation changes after Event #7. Drivers with changes noted, please adjust and tune accordingly.
Race Lobby PP Max Regulation for Event #7 remains set to 670.00 PP
(Please be sure to set Max PP correctly, as noted above, for practice lobbies to allow those drivers with concessions to enter)
Next Event (#-) Driver Regulations is noted in the far right column.
End of season driver regulations
Next Event:
New series to start:
SNAIL Porsche Cayman Mobile 1 SuperCup
Date: June 20th, 2025 at 9pm est
Track: Daytona International Road Course
Conditions: Night, SO7 Humid and Pleasant with a Few Clouds
Laps: 17
Target Lap Times: ?:??
(See Section 1, Tab 1.3 for Lobby Settings)
Additional details to be posted in the Porsche Series thread
Great racing to everyone this season, and I look forward to racing all of those returning to Friday Night Racing in the Porsche.
NOVA-0479 / @llNovall (#4)
2.) JDMKing13 / @JDMKING13 (#9)
3.) kgffty / @Kgffy (#84)
4.) DRD_Niagara / @Buffalo_DRD (#78)
5.) Sand_68 / @socalnatv (#68)
6.) DUB-L-DEE / @DublDee (#33)
7.) Cdn_Sweet_Tee / @CdnSweetTee (#22)
8.) DucatiRobb / @Bologna_Duc (#88)
9.) Fudman420 / @Fudman420 (#42)
10.) Rauljimenez76 / @Noob01_lmdead (#12)
11.) cesarr64 / @cesarr64 (#64)
12.) GTP_WorstDriver / @Worst_Driver (#13)
13.) Wetroadracer / @Wetroadracer (#187)
14.) Phlano_099 / @Phlano099 (#99)
15.) MrDonovan / @MrDonovan (#46)
16.) radliffpower / @radliffracing (#85)
17.) mac1032763 / @Mac1032763 (#420)
18.) R1600Turbo / @CodeRedR51 (#62)
19.) GTP_RACECAR / @RACECAR (#32)
20.) Thumpleton (THMP) / @THMP (#003)
21.) Ridger23 / @bublyman (#7)
22.) Dragonwhisky / @Dragonwhisky (#5)
23.) CyberSalad_502 / @CyberSalad (#89)
24.) jakeblack3 / @JakeMk8 (#3)
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- 129
- Québec
- Ridger23
A huge thanks to everyone involved in this series and a special one to @llNovall putting in place every details required for maintaining the grid so much competitive and as equal as it could be.
This championship is certainly the highlight of my newly career in the Snails series. Fair and nerv racking races at each time. Can’t wait to start the new SuperCup Porsche series.
This championship is certainly the highlight of my newly career in the Snails series. Fair and nerv racking races at each time. Can’t wait to start the new SuperCup Porsche series.
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- 620
- Idaho
- Bologna_Duc
Designated drivers in the background didn’t save the camermans equipment after post-race celebrations in town.
That last race was an incredibly stressful event not least because of pressure from the season standings and the rest of the field. I had a slightly different rig set-up from the rest of the season. Adjusting to the pedal distance change was compromising my practice all week. And then a spin in each race! - couldn’t believe I kept the lead. 🤦🏼♂️🥵
Huge thanks to @llNovall for another highly competitive set of races. Words fail to adequately describe my appreciation for your efforts as race director. @Buffalo_DRD has been amazing as our media director. I know that takes a lot of time to watch replays, capture pictures and provide a narrative. I always enjoy reading your post-race summaries - well done!!
I had some spectacular battles with a quite a few of you throughout the season. Also some unfortunate contact with several of you. Each race is always a learning lesson and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to be on track in these events.
Thank you everyone! Hope to see you again for the Porsche event. Early practice laps with several other drivers indicate an even more competitive field. Oh my.
- 338
- Niagara Region
- DRD_Niagara
2024 Michelin Pilot Challenge - Presented by SNAIL
Hosted by PSN: NOVA-0479
Event #7 - SPA Francorchamps
Friday May 9, 2025
Event #7/ Race #2 Recap
Preamble:
As per our usual practices, Race #2 goes off in reverse grid order. That will place @DublDee and @Mac1032763 on the front row. @Dragonwhisky will line up besides @Fudman420 on the 2nd row. @Bologna_Duc and @JDMKING13 will be in the 3rd row.
Just like Race #1, this race goes off with only 13 drivers.
Event #7 / Race #2
Final Event #7 / Race #2 Results Table:
Event #7 / Race #2 Broadcast:
Driver(s) of the Race Award:
As I review the replay a few times to pull pictures and to record the broadcast, things stand out to me so I give a shout-out to the following drivers for their performance in Event #7 / Race #2:
That's how I interpreted the 2024 Michelin Pilot Challenge.
DRD_Niagara
Director of Media Relations
Hosted by PSN: NOVA-0479
Event #7 - SPA Francorchamps
Friday May 9, 2025
Event #7/ Race #2 Recap
Preamble:
As per our usual practices, Race #2 goes off in reverse grid order. That will place @DublDee and @Mac1032763 on the front row. @Dragonwhisky will line up besides @Fudman420 on the 2nd row. @Bologna_Duc and @JDMKING13 will be in the 3rd row.
Just like Race #1, this race goes off with only 13 drivers.
Event #7 / Race #2
LAP #1:
@DublDee makes the most out of his starting position. He gets off quick and manages to hug T1 nicely as he leads the grid off to the last race of the season. Everybody gets away cleanly.
LAP #2 - Lead Change:
@DublDee and @Mac1032763 manage a great first lap and have already created a bit of distance between themselves and the rest of the pack. A little slip coming out of Eau-Rouge by @DublDee has allowed @Mac1032763 to catch and pass him by the end of the straight. @Bologna_Duc, @JDMKING13 and @bublyman round off the top 5.
LAP #3:
@Mac1032763, @DublDee and @Bologna_Duc still running 1-2-3. Early on Lap #3, @bublyman made an attempt on @JDMKING13 to move into 4th but @JDMKING13 managed to hold him off on this occasion. However they'd lose their side mirrors.
LAP #3:
I took a bad line coming into the chicane towards the end of Lap #3 and would give a bump to @Fudman420 which he probably didn't appreciate. It cost him a spot as @socalnatv was able to get through. I lifted and allowed @Kgffy through as a self-assessed penalty. I'll learn from it.
LAP #5:
Approaching the end of the straight at the end of sector 1, @llNovall, in 6th place has a great view of @bublyman getting by @JDMKING13.
LAP #6:
Again towards the end of the straight a lap later, @Bologna_Duc would get by @DublDee to move into 2nd place. @Mac1032763 still in 1st but the 3 have really broken away from the pack as we approach the mid-point of the race.
LAP #7:
Does this look familiar? Just as was in race #1 but with the order reversed, @JDMKING13 is the one now doing the defending from an attacking @Worst_Driver at T1 of Lap #7.
LAP #7:
Here's these 2 going at it again. @bublyman and @llNovall spent most of the evening together. On this occasion, @bublyman had to lift to avoid the gravel and that's all @llNovall needed to take the 4th position.
LAP #8:
If you venture a tad wide onto this green carpet, it's very difficult to pull your car back onto the track. @socalnatv had the misfortune of finding out on Lap#8. He'd drop from 9th position to the last.
LAP #8:
Positions 3 through 10 are captured in this pic towards the end of Lap #8. @DublDee, @llNovall, @bublyman and @Noob01_lmdead are exiting the chicane as @Worst_Driver, @Kgffy, @Buffalo_DRD and @JDMKING13 and about to enter it.
LAP #11:
@Noob01_lmdead sees a little gap between @llNovall's BMW and the pylon and decides to squeeze his car into it to move into 3rd position. @bublyman is just behind them in 5th.
LAP #13:
The hot battle during the last few laps has been between these three. @Noob01_lmdead and @llNovall have exchanged positions a few times and @bublyman is always in position to capitalize on any mistakes.
LAP #13:
Until I watched the reply to pull pictures and for this recap, I did not realize the mess that @Bologna_Duc made of sector 3 on the last lap. Maybe attribute it to making a final push to catch reel in @Mac1032763 but had he not pulled away from the pack like he did, this could have been a catastrophic mistake with huge implications.
LAP #13:
@Mac1032763 has run a very good race. He took the lead on Lap #2 and never gave it back despite having a real quick and experienced @Bologna_Duc chasing him, who will settle for 2nd. @Noob01_lmdead manages to keep his 3rd position to join them on the podium.
@DublDee makes the most out of his starting position. He gets off quick and manages to hug T1 nicely as he leads the grid off to the last race of the season. Everybody gets away cleanly.
LAP #2 - Lead Change:
@DublDee and @Mac1032763 manage a great first lap and have already created a bit of distance between themselves and the rest of the pack. A little slip coming out of Eau-Rouge by @DublDee has allowed @Mac1032763 to catch and pass him by the end of the straight. @Bologna_Duc, @JDMKING13 and @bublyman round off the top 5.
LAP #3:
@Mac1032763, @DublDee and @Bologna_Duc still running 1-2-3. Early on Lap #3, @bublyman made an attempt on @JDMKING13 to move into 4th but @JDMKING13 managed to hold him off on this occasion. However they'd lose their side mirrors.
LAP #3:
I took a bad line coming into the chicane towards the end of Lap #3 and would give a bump to @Fudman420 which he probably didn't appreciate. It cost him a spot as @socalnatv was able to get through. I lifted and allowed @Kgffy through as a self-assessed penalty. I'll learn from it.
LAP #5:
Approaching the end of the straight at the end of sector 1, @llNovall, in 6th place has a great view of @bublyman getting by @JDMKING13.
LAP #6:
Again towards the end of the straight a lap later, @Bologna_Duc would get by @DublDee to move into 2nd place. @Mac1032763 still in 1st but the 3 have really broken away from the pack as we approach the mid-point of the race.
LAP #7:
Does this look familiar? Just as was in race #1 but with the order reversed, @JDMKING13 is the one now doing the defending from an attacking @Worst_Driver at T1 of Lap #7.
LAP #7:
Here's these 2 going at it again. @bublyman and @llNovall spent most of the evening together. On this occasion, @bublyman had to lift to avoid the gravel and that's all @llNovall needed to take the 4th position.
LAP #8:
If you venture a tad wide onto this green carpet, it's very difficult to pull your car back onto the track. @socalnatv had the misfortune of finding out on Lap#8. He'd drop from 9th position to the last.
LAP #8:
Positions 3 through 10 are captured in this pic towards the end of Lap #8. @DublDee, @llNovall, @bublyman and @Noob01_lmdead are exiting the chicane as @Worst_Driver, @Kgffy, @Buffalo_DRD and @JDMKING13 and about to enter it.
LAP #11:
@Noob01_lmdead sees a little gap between @llNovall's BMW and the pylon and decides to squeeze his car into it to move into 3rd position. @bublyman is just behind them in 5th.
LAP #13:
The hot battle during the last few laps has been between these three. @Noob01_lmdead and @llNovall have exchanged positions a few times and @bublyman is always in position to capitalize on any mistakes.
LAP #13:
Until I watched the reply to pull pictures and for this recap, I did not realize the mess that @Bologna_Duc made of sector 3 on the last lap. Maybe attribute it to making a final push to catch reel in @Mac1032763 but had he not pulled away from the pack like he did, this could have been a catastrophic mistake with huge implications.
LAP #13:
@Mac1032763 has run a very good race. He took the lead on Lap #2 and never gave it back despite having a real quick and experienced @Bologna_Duc chasing him, who will settle for 2nd. @Noob01_lmdead manages to keep his 3rd position to join them on the podium.
Final Event #7 / Race #2 Results Table:
Event #7 / Race #2 Broadcast:
Driver(s) of the Race Award:
As I review the replay a few times to pull pictures and to record the broadcast, things stand out to me so I give a shout-out to the following drivers for their performance in Event #7 / Race #2:
- Going with @Mac1032763 for this one. While accepting congratulations in the post-race lobby, @Mac1032763 was quick to point out that he has the fastest car. While that might be true, it's not easy to string together 13 mistake free laps under duress. The table shows a 10+ second win but that's due to a last lap mistake by @Bologna_Duc. @Mac1032763's lead was more like 2 to 3 seconds. All this to say that holding off an experienced @Bologna_Duc for that long, while avoiding costly mistakes makes for a really good drive.
- Congratulations to @Bologna_Duc on winning the championship. You appeared very consistent all season. I don't think I've captured many pics of costly mistakes by you all season (except on the season's last lap - lol)
- A huge thanks to @llNovall for putting this together. You seem to have the formula for putting together tight grids figured out. We had 14 races in this series and 11 different drivers managed to capture a chequered flag. This was my 2nd series with you and the group and it's helped me become faster and improve my race craft. Already looking forward to the next one.
- Finally, it's been a pleasure being your Director of Media relations for this series. While time-consuming at times, I hope my contributions helped make the series a little bit better and that I fulfilled the role to expected standards.
- Need more racing? Don't forgot Snail's Sunday Night SPEC league.
That's how I interpreted the 2024 Michelin Pilot Challenge.
DRD_Niagara
Director of Media Relations
