Shawn McNamara finds himself as the Turn In Race Apparel driver “on the bubble” heading into round 7 of the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup round at Belle Isle on the 9th of August.

2023 has been a tale of ups & downs for Shawn, but the pace of the 9ine 5ive SimSports owner driver has been evident.

An average finish of 22.5 sits Shawn directly on the cut line as we approach a crucial point of the season, all his efforts now turning to achieving a great result at Belle isle to help further his championship campaign.

We spent some time with Shawn earlier in the week to discuss his season so far, how he plans to improve in the back half of 2023 & what he can achieve with the 9ine 5ive SimSports team behind him.

R: Shawn, you’re currently the driver “On the bubble” in 20th position as we approach round 7 of the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup. Can you give us a quick overview of your season to date and how you think you’ve performed?

SM: It’s Been an average season to date, race pace has been good, but in such a strong field qualifying is everything and I just haven’t performed when it counts. Sebring started ok, Phillip Island was a real missed opportunity for me, and Spa being my bogey track showed with my worst result. Red Bull Ring was more a show of what I can do with a P10 in qualifying, but again small mistakes in the race cost me a few spots there in the race. Every position is critical when you are on the bubble and really can’t afford to make those mistakes.

R: For everyone reading, what does your preparation before a race weekend look like? Does your championship position change the way you prepare?

SM: Like everyone, laps, laps, and laps. As a team we spend a lot of time doing what we can to get the setup in the window early. That gives us a chance to turn bulk race laps and get comfortable. Being apart of a team that has a decent number of drivers, we can get a field together to really focus on genuine race laps. Being the team owner, I also spend a lot of time making sure the drivers are supported, spotters have all the information they need, and we are prepared as well as we can be.

R: As you currently sit 20th in the standings, what do you think is the key to improving your championship position over the next few rounds? Will the endurance season play a major role in charging back up the championship order?

SM: 100% Qualifying stronger! From there it’s about race management. There are some quick guys behind me in the championship standing and they will continue to climb the ladder. With “draft” style tracks behind us, I feel from Belle Isle on I’m much more suited to these driver style tracks so I’m hoping I can start pushing into the Top 15 over the coming rounds and just continue to collect points. Also focusing a little more on me as a driver vs me as a team owner, Red Bull I went back to full focus on my driving and performance, and it made a huge difference to have that full focus.

R: Finally, your surrounded by an excellent team that you’ve built over the last few years. How do you find the vibe within the team? Does it contribute to results?

SM: We have a great bunch of guys in the team, the vibe is great and the want to succeed is only getting stronger. We have gone from being over the moon with a top 10, to know breaking down what held us back from being in the top 5 this race. That want to succeed is what I’m excited about for the future and really looking forward to the rest of 2023 with our eyes on 2024!

There’s no doubt Shawn McNamara is capable of excellent results in the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup l, will he continue his championship climb at Belle Isle in 2023?

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Thomas Freeman is your driver on the bubble this week heading into the opening endurance event of the year at Sandown Raceway on the 1st of September. 

Currently 21st in the standings after round 7, Freeman has endured a tough initiation to the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup ranks, searching to find his feet against some of the best sim racers Australia has to offer.

More recently, Freeman has put together some breakout performances onboard his Fishy Motorsports Ford Mustang, results at both Watkins Glen & Belle isle catapulting him back into contention for automatic promotion to the 2024 instalment of the series.

We took the time to sit down with Thomas Freeman ahead of the upcoming Sandown 500 which will see the driver of the #6 Mustang pair with Blake Delaney.

R: Thomas, you find yourself “on the bubble” in 21st as we head into endurance season, give us an idea of how you feel you season has gone over the opening 7 rounds?

TF: The opening 7 rounds have been a little bit of an up and down experience for myself. In saying that, it’s truly a humbling feeling to find myself in the championship, positioned as high as I currently am. Sharing the track with some of the most skilled drivers from around Australia and New Zealand, i can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for being able to not only participate but also hold my own competitively.

R: Endurance season poses quite an interesting scenario for all drivers. With 400 points up for grabs per race, how important is it for you to achieve consistent results during the endurance races?

TF: I can’t wait for the upcoming endurance series, Fishy Motorsports lives for endurance racing. The boys have been super dedicated and have put in the time and effort to achieve both speed and consistency for the upcoming two rounds. As you mention with 800 points up for grabs, it’s crucial that we focus on maximising each race. We are heavily focused on first, finishing and as high as possible. My place in the series and championship will take care of itself if we focus on finishing as high as possible.

R: Of late, you’ve found some really great form in the series, what sort of work have you been putting in behind the scenes that has helped you improve as the season has progressed?

TF: I’ve been genuinely delighted with my recent performance, despite a minor setback in round 6, the remainder of the year has been consistent. Collectively as a team, we’ve adopted a new approach aimed at enhancing each team members performance. This involves refining our practice methods, a pivotal factor in driving both my personal improvement and the improvement of my teammates also. The beauty of it all is that we undertake this journey together not only as teammates but as close friends, we have a strong comradery that translates into enjoyable and lively discord’s sessions.

R: Blake Delaney will join you onboard your Fishy Motorsports #6 Mustang for the upcoming enduros. How big of a part do you think he will play for you in the endurance cup? A driver with already plenty of experience in the supercar, do you think Blake will step up and surprise a few drivers?

TF: Oh absolutely, Blake will transition from his role as Crew Chief to taking the wheel for the Enduro rounds and I couldn’t be more honoured to share the seat with him. To have the mastermind behind the teams strategic decisions at Fishy, Blake is undeniably the driver we trust wholeheartedly, with a reputation that commands respect. Blake’s speed and race craft remains unquestionable and the crux of a strong performance lies in the co-drivers capabilities. Blake’s partnership with Jamie Dike from the previous season speaks volumes, leaving me with no doubt that this year will follow suit in terms of success.

Thomas Freeman’s form is definitely on the rise in the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup. With the trend line truly on the up for this driver, it will definitely be interesting to see how himself & co driver Blake Delaney get on in the 2023 endurance cup.

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While we prepare for the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup season finale at Road Atlanta, Brenton Hobson is focused on producing a stellar final round in his quest to stay above the cut line, securing automatic promotion to the 2024 instalment of the series.

A season of many highs and lows, Hobson has found himself 19th in the championship just ahead of Evolution Racing Teams Robert Gibbs approaching the final round, with the hopes of maintaining his points buffer to the cut line. Multiple top ten performances from Brenton Hobson in 2023 has been the highlight of his year, as again his consistency as a driver has proved to be unmatched throughout the season.

A hiccup at Sandown has proved to be the difference in what was looking like another solid campaign, with a late engine failure netting a 0 point round for the Synergy Sim Racing driver in the back half of the year. Now under some pressure, the best of Brenton Hobson is still to come.

We took the time to sit down with Brenton Hobson this week to discuss his 2023 season.

R: Brenton, you find yourself sitting 19th and on the bubble heading into the season finale of the 2023 Motorsports Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup at Road Atlanta. What are your thoughts on your season, and what do you think you have to achieve to stay above the cut line?

BH: The season has been pretty tough this year. It started strong but as the season went on I struggled more to get good results. Being involved in the lap 1 crash at Belle Isle and then suffering a really unlucky DNF at Sandown the following round really put me on the back foot in the points. Being right on the cut-off line for the top 20 makes me nervous going into the last round, but I know I have the speed to lock myself in. Road Atlanta is a pretty good track for me and if I can stay out of trouble I think I'll be a good chance.

R: The crew at Synergy Sim Racing definitely aren’t short of talent, how has working alongside a varied team helped you across your 2023 campaign?

BH: It's immensely helpful to have a good team around you. I'm fortunate to have a great bunch of guys in my corner and it's invaluable for me with limited time to know that there are others who are working on setups and strategy leading into the races. I actually find it most useful to have a range of drivers in the team to create a reference for me when it comes to pace. It motivates me to see the laptimes of the other guys and push myself to match them. It means I can get myself up to speed quickly as I usually have pretty limited seat time before race day.

R: Your going to Road Atlanta with some confidence on your side after a solid 7th place result at Road America a few weeks ago. How does a result like that help settle the nerves heading into the season finale, knowing you now sit in a slightly more comfortable position above the cut line?

BH: It certainly doesn't hurt to get a good result and build some confidence. I think strategy is one of my strengths and that's what ultimately helped me to get that result after starting from the back of the grid at Road America. I think I'm fairly comfortable despite what's at stake for the final round. I can hopefully draw on my experience to make sure I have a mistake-free and smart race at Road Atlanta.

R: And finally, what would it mean for you to Cement your place in the 2024 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup at Road Atlanta?

BH: It means a lot to be on the grid in the Pro Invitational Series. In my opinion this is the pinnacle of Sim Racing for Supercars in the world. The formats and the competition depth make it the ultimate proving ground. If you want to be considered as one of the best drivers in this car I think you have to be on the grid in this series. So personally locking myself into the top 20 I think would prove to other people and to myself that I still belong in that category of drivers who are considered the best in this car.

Many will watch Brenton Hobson with keen interest at Road Atlanta as we’re set to crown a new champion in 2023.

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Our 2024 series runner up James Scott has been an avid sim racer for a number of years. He is an intense racer that can bring out the best of himself when it matters to get a solid result. The 2023 rookie of the year, James proved himself to be worthy of a podium position in the Logitech G Pro Invitational series bought to you by Motorsport Australia.

We took the time to have a chat with James and see what it would have taken for him to get on the top step.

First of all, James, second place, it’s a great result, one that many would be extremely happy with, what though are your thoughts?

Whilst second is a great result, I don’t think its what any of us go racing for and to have taken it down to the final few rounds is hard but and the end of the day we just made too many mistakes over the course of the year. To be able to win a championship like this you cant put a foot wrong all season and we just did it a few to many times this year which we will be looking to fix next year to hopefully go 1 better.

What do you think was the turning point in the series?

I really don’t think there was a turning point all year, with the gap at the top of the standing being extremely close all year it never really felt like there was a single point where it turned. However in saying that in the 2nd last round there was a tough strategy call to make and we unfortunately fell on the wrong side of that and from that point on I had given up any hope of the championship win.

Strategy is an important part of a solid result, how much did this affect you?

Massively, looking the points we lost through poor strategy this year was a lot and cost us a lot of points. And to finish still quite close to the championship winner with all these errors is promising and should bode well for us next year if we can get this area of the racing in order and be able to scrap for every point possible.

SSR as a team have had a solid team with driver depth, what are your thoughts on the team as a whole and how much did they help you?

SSR have been great, obviously having quite a few fast guys, it makes race preparation just that bit easier having someone to compare to in the lead up to the race. Being a 1 man team at the front would be tough without really knowing where to improve etc. We have worked quite well as a team all year and I think we have all improved in different aspects of our racing over the course of the year which is great to see.

The Bathurst win was surely a highlight, how did you find that weekend?

Bathurst was awesome, there is always a debate in real life whether winning Bathurst or the championship is more of an achievement, for me im probably slightly more of the latter however in saying that, the Bathurst win was incredible. Teaming up with SVG was great and to have his experience both in and out of the car made my job really easy, just drive as fast as possible. It felt like we had a really fast car however with the really strong draft model just couldn’t break it to really compare our pace to the others. The fight at the end was awesome and it was awesome to come away on the right side of it and grab the win.

Did you think at any stage that the title may be slipping away from you or was it a matter of fighting to the last lap?

All year it was so close however as I mentioned just before, probably mid point of road America when we went with a different strategy and it didn’t come off I knew it was going to be hard to come back from there especially knowing how busy I was going to be in real life for preparation in the last round.

What are your thoughts on the series overall?

The series is great, having the best guys go against each other is awesome and not to have the commitment of racing every week. The media work the series does to promote different aspects of the series/teams really makes it the pinnacle of v8 racing on iRacing.

Many punters would say that you were the quickest driver/car combo of the year, how do you get that consistency week in week out?

Hard to put a finger on it, ive been on the sim for a little while now and it just feels natural and I feel like it just happens through that. Im always my own harshest critic so striving for perfection for me is the only option whether its in real life or the sim and I don’t like to accept anything less. Having pace is 1 thing however we did not maximise that enough this year which is extremely disappointing so I will work on that in the off season to try and be better next year.

And finally, in 2024, do we see the car 088 up the front again? if so, what, if any changes will be made to ensure you get on the top step?

I certainly hope so, I don’t think we need to make wholesale changes just need to refine what we have and improve the process and I think that should really help in 2024.

Thanks so much for your time on this James,and congratulations on a very entertaining year of racing.

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The Road to Pro for 2025 has officially begun with Pre Qualifying now under way. Keep up to date here with the progress and results of the sessions.

With over 130 cars registered for the 2025 Qualifying Series, a pre qualifying process will take place to reduce the number to down to 45 which will make up the grid in the 2025 Qualifying Series. Those 45 drivers will then compete across a 4 Rounds to fight for 24 places on the 2025 Logitech G V8PRO Invitational grid.

Here is how the times are stacking up so far:

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Pre qualifying is is now complete for the Logitech G Pro Invitational series in 2023. With a number of new names making the call we also see the return of some of the 2022 field. One of which is Hayden Harrison.

A difficult debut campaign in 2022 with Send It SimSports saw Hayden buried in the field for the majority of the season resulting in 35th in the championship with a best race finish of 21st. Although on paper it looked like a poor season, it’s not all doom and gloom.

2023 marks a fresh start for Harrison, moving to 9ine 5ive SimSport over the off season in the hopes to find improvement before 2023 well and truly takes full flight.

Here’s 3 reasons why we feel Hayden Harrison’s move to 9ine 5ive could be the beginning of something great:

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Road America, a cornerstone of American motorsport, debuted on the Logitech G Pro Invitational calendar in 2023. This historic 6.5-kilometer track is famed for its high-speed straights, tough corners, and significant elevation changes.

Ahead of this week's race, we talked to Michael Whiting from Fishy Motorsports. Michael, focused on gaining valuable points for his 2024 championship campaign, shared his five key points for mastering the track. He offers an insider’s view on what it takes to excel at one of the most thrilling venues in the series.

Car Damage

With the new Supercar damage model being front of mind for most drivers. With the new damage model making the Supercar even more fragile than previously, keeping out of trouble and minimizing car damage is going to be paramount in a good result. Any amount of time spent in pitlane with damage repairs will certainly impact racing and results.

Strategy

Strategy is going to play a huge part around Road America. There is a fair amount of scope here for different strategies to play out. With potential safety cars, incidents and fuel saving, staying out of trouble is key to success. Maximising any potential safety cars, track position will be key for many drivers.

Fuel Saving

Road America is well known for being one of the longest tracks on the Pro Series calander, with several long straights. This paves way for potential fuel saving and drafting during the race. If this is executed correctly there are many advantages and positions to be gained.

Qualifying

Maximizing Qualifying is important at every track, even more so at Road America. With exceptionally long straights and a very competitive field, being on track at the right place and right time is going to be key in getting a draft. Get this wrong and your qualifying can be severely hampered.

Track Position

Road America is quite famous for exceptional racing and plenty of passing opportunities. This being said, maintaining track position without compromising pace is going to be a hard task to complete with every driver wanting that extra position for points.

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As anticipation builds for Round 5 of the 2024 Logitech G Supercar Pro Invitational Series at Watkins Glen Raceway, Hayden Veld shares his insights and strategies for mastering this iconic track. 

Known for its challenging turns and high-speed straights, Watkins Glen demands precision and skill. Learn from Hayden who outlines his five key points for conquering the Glen, offering a glimpse into the mind of a top-tier sim racer preparing to tackle one of the most demanding circuits on the calendar.

Qualifying

With this track being the shortest on the 2024 calendar qualifying here is so important. Not just for the track position but also to get out of that mid/tail-end pack. The walls are so close here at Watkins so it will be so easy to get caught up in other dramas. With split qualifying this round it will be interesting to see which teams can find a way to work together.

Strategy

With the mandatory two stops, it opens up so many possibilities with strategy. It can be quite difficult to pass here so getting the strategy right to maximise the new tyres is crucial to working your way up the grid, or, maintaining position at the front. Pitlane is not too long so there are plenty of options here to be aggressive if you need to.

Track Position

Drafting is easy here, but passing is difficult. You need to find a way to avoid being stuck in a draft train so there are ways to avoid this. Pitstops, which may not work are always an option. Alternatively, fuel saving and being smart about how to maintain position is an option.

Championship Points

The top 20 is a challenge in itself, but with a higher likelihood of now having DNFs there will need to be races where you just try and maximise the number of points that you get. Zero points are on offer if you do not cross the finish line at the end so at times you may need to be a bit more conservative to ensure that your points haul is moving in the right direction.

Car Damage

The new damage on the car is one of the biggest changes that iRacing has bought to the series since its inception. Suddenly cars will be more heavily penalised for receiving damage. The days of having rear wing damage with no consequence are gone. Having cars now lose wheels and be stationary will no doubt keep the Race Control and Safety Car drivers on their toes. DNF will mean zero points so there may be some changes in how drivers take on the challenge of Watkins Glen, and the rest of the series.

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Entering the 2024 pro series season, Vermillion looked to have made steps forward, bolstering their driver lineup to include Jacob O'Reilly and Zach Rattray-White, alongside long time Vermillion driver Connor Nixon.

Although they were fielding three competitive drivers, whispers were starting to be heard amongst the pro series paddock that Vermillion are about to make some big moves. Driver movement is unusual in the early part of a season, but with the collapse of Altus, Vermillion had secured almost the entire Altus lineup. It was a bombshell announcement at the time, with Vermillion immediately having one of the strongest driver lineups in the field.

It didn’t take long for Vermillion Motorsport to benefit from this strengthened lineup, securing a podium and featuring heavily at the pointy end of the early championship standings with Andrew Gilliam and Ric Kuznetsov. Rattray-White was also showing an improvement in pace and results with the arrival of some of the pro series biggest names at Vermillion. Jack Doohan’s brand became the new naming rights sponsors of the frontrunners, and the talk continued to come out of the team that they are on the fast track to success.

During this time, Vermillion Motorsports worked closely with Lobs eSports behind the scenes, in practice sessions and test sessions, forging an informal alliance of sorts, something team manager Ben Faulkner credits for their uptick in performance

“Regarding Lobs Esports, historically we have had a great relationship with them, they helped us massively with preparation for Pro Series races to date, which we were, and still are thankful for. We also got along with them well off the track outside of racing”

Seemingly out of the blue, and without any warning DoohanOK put a halt on their sponsorship deal with Vermillion Motorsports, Faulkner explains;

“At the beginning of June, DoohanOK contacted us and asked us to pause the sponsorship to reassess the relationship moving forward, which we were more than happy to comply with, given our positive relationship with Jack, and fast growth. It was a week or two later that we found out that Lobs had taken up DoohanOK as a sponsor. We can’t be certain regarding the circumstances of DoohanOK leaving us for Lobs, so we won’t make any accusations. Needless to say, we were pretty shocked, and feel like we were blindsided by the situation.”

The sponsorship shirt was only part of the story with some of their top stars leaving, Gilliam to Lobs eSport and Ric Kuznetsov back to 9ine 5ive.

Six months is a long time in Motorsport, and it has been a huge roller coaster ride for Vermillion Motorsports. Through it all, two stars are starting to emerge from the original squad, O'Reilly and Rattray-White are beginning to feature heavily at the pointy end, cementing Vermillion's long-term goal of being a championship contender. Rattray-white in particular is starting to lead this team back from a tumultuous time, back to the front with no shortcuts, a driver Vermillion Motorsports can build around.

Tune in to Round 7 at Monza on July 24th to see Vermillion in action, with their new “in your face” livery!
 

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Logitech G Pro Invitational Series qualifying driver Aaron Borg had a roller coaster experience at Phillip island for the opening round of the season.

Being part of the opening qualifying group Aaron would manage only 39th on the grid. Although a poor qualifying from the #4 TTR driver, Racing proved to be his strong suit, The foresight to read the strategies along with the ability to preserve tyres across a long run enabling Aaron to progress up the field gaining 15 positions finishing a comfortable 24th.

An accomplished driver outside of the simulator, The Toyota 86 & duel SuperUte series champion has drawn comparisons to his time in the Toyota 86 Racing Series championship, Claiming the Logitech G Pro Invitational Qualifying Series has shown similarities to the competitiveness and technique’s seen in the championship.

“ There’s definitely some similarities in driving techniques but also a lot of differences. Biggest thing is the amount of time everyone spends doing laps, Which is limited in real racing. The competitiveness reminds me of the 86 series though, It doesn’t take much to be up the front or down the back “. -Aaron Borg.

Also speaking post race in regards to his round one performance as a whole at Phillip Island, It’s clear Borg may feel he under performed. But with the help of his Trans Tasman Racing teammates & defending Supercars E Series champion Madison Down we may definitely see this National level racing talent translate his skills into the simulator also.

“I didn’t have the best of first rounds, messed up qualifying and then was up and down in the race. To be honest I’m just doing it for some fun and if I qualify that’s a bonus. I don’t get to do as many laps as many others do on the sim so anytime I can get on with the guys is good fun.

It’s great being part of TTR, they’re a great bunch of guys which makes getting on the sim even more enjoyable. I’ve done a bit with Mads, particularly in the eseries last year which was good fun. He helps me a lot with understanding how to drive on the sim quick so I’m slowly getting there”. Aaron Borg.

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Adam Briggs believes Hungary data will be the key to personal improvement to his collective time in pre qualifying.

Adam is no stranger to the Logitech G Pro Invitational series having made his debut in a underwhelming endurance campaign alongside Jordan Ross of Synergy Sim Racing, netting a best result of 18th from the duel race campaign.

Returning in 2023 trying to secure a full time drive under the SSR stable, we took a brief moment to speak with Briggs during pre qualifying.

Although happy with his start so far, Briggs is still searching for improvement. Comfortable at Winton is the biggest positive to date, he’s still left with the feeling he needs to find more time around Hungaroring circuit.

“With Hungary being a completely new track for me, The most amount of gains for my collective time will be there, I need to look at that particular data and indentify some key areas for improvement“ - Adam Briggs.

The 4.381 kilometre circuit seems to be proving itself as the Achilles heel for some drivers who all will seek to improve over the coming nights action.

Be sure to stay updated with all the latest on the Logitech G Pro Invitational athttps://www.supercarsproinvitational.com.au

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Whilst the Logitech G Pro Invitational Supercar Series takes a break leading into the next round at Spa, a championship favourite will be hard at work improving the ergonomics of his new rig. 

Josh Anderson entered the season as one of the title hopefuls, and a second place finish at the opening round got things off to an impressive start. From that point however, things went against Andersons expectations.

Winton was the first sign the Cooldrive Mustang didn’t look comfortable, Anderson not able to maximise the potential of his new rig. His legs going numb is not ideal for sim racers, who rely on less senses than real life drivers to feel the car underneath them.

Red Bull Ring and Monza were more indications Anderson has struggled to find the right balance with his new equipment. Josh is refusing to blame his struggles to come to terms with his new rig on his recent performances, and he is working hard to get back to the front, where he belongs. Anderson still sits a handy seventh in the title chase, and there is still plenty to play for, so his championship charge still has plenty of time to get back on track.

The Logitech G Pro Invitational Supercar Series resumes on August 31st in Belgium, tune in to see Anderson fight back!

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Andrew Gilliam “ I feel like I’ve definitely made a decent leap forward over the summer break”.

For Andrew Gilliam & Pursuit Sim Racing a decent start to their 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup season was high on the priority list heading into Sebring. While others didn’t experience the best of nights, Gilliam shone across the 44 lap encounter.

Although suffering from a difficult qualifying session, Gilliam made progress, slicing and dicing his way to 4th place by the end of the nights proceedings.

7th in the 2022 championship doesn’t show how good Gilliam truely is, his result at the opening round of the season is a sign of what is to come throughout 2023.

We took some time during the week to sit down and chat with Andrew about Sebring & his thoughts heading into the long season ahead.

Reporter: Off the back of last year’s championship finishing 7th, how happy are you with your round 1 performance? Do you feel like you’ve taken a leap forward heading into 2023?

Andrew Gilliam: I feel like I've definitely made a decent leap over the summer break! Although I didn't quite nail qualifying, my race craft and coordination on track felt much stronger and I was very stoked to work my way to the battle for the podium.

R: You had a excellent start at Sebring, ultimately climbing your way from 11th to 4th. You’re known for your excellent starting capabilities, what do you do that sets you apart from everyone else in starting conditions?

AG: Honestly, having great team mates to work with was the key to my start at Sebring. I had some pretty ordinary starts at the Scops Winton round, but Rehan and Jobe gave me some great pointers, and the team practice races are invaluable.

R: 11th in qualifying isn’t a bad run at all, but what do you feel you need to be able to start further up the grid? Is there something your struggling with in qualifying trim at the moment?

AG: Qualifying should have been a top 5 result I believe, but I dropped a wheel into the dirt exiting the 2nd last corner on my last flyer. To get the ultimate pace to challenge Maddison, I think I needed a different direction in qualifying setup. I diverted my philosophy a little bit from the team earlier in the week looking for some more rotation, but looking back I needed to focus more on extracting the most out of what Mike and the team were working on. I made a last minute change to Mike's setup direction for the race setup and immediately benefitted with top 4 pace and better tyre life. That will be my focus heading into Phillip Island!

R: You’ve set a great platform to build from off the back of Sebring, what do you feel are your aspirations moving forward in 2023?

AG: Consistent podiums will be my key focus this year, and I will be disappointed if I don't put together at least a couple of race wins. My confidence has improved after racing through such a high quality field from 11th to 4th and I believe I would have had a proper shot at the podium without my qualifying mistake.

Keep an eye out for Andrew Gilliam & Pursuit Sim Racing at Phillip Island, as they will look to continue their climb up the grid.

For all the latest news & updates:https://supercarsproinvitational.com.au

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9ine 5ive SimSports driver pairing Dylan O’Shea & Corey Macfarlane could be the pairing to keep a close eye on as we prepare to tackle Mount Panorama Bathurst on the 1st of October.

Pairing together for the opening round of the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup at Sandown, both drivers shined across the 161 lap encounter, Leading multiple laps and fighting for the win in the later stages of the race against eventual winners Luke Rosella & Harley Haber. An eventual post race penalty would see the 9ine 5ive pair demoted from 2nd, dropping them to 17th after the flag. Although a heartbreaking penalty took away a incredible result, many have been left impressed by both Dylan O’Shea & Corey Macfarlane.

2023 for O’Shea in particular has been somewhat of a breakout year for the 9ine 5ive SimSports driver, multiple high level qualifying performances, backed up by strong race results sees the 9ine 5ive SimSports young gun well placed in the championship in 8th position heading to Bathurst.

Yes, there’s no doubt about it. Their form alone at Sandown is nothing to shy away from. On speed alone, this combination has proven they can be contenders across the whole race distance. If they can remain smart & calculated across the 1000 kilometres of Mount Panorama Bathurst, they will play a major factor late in the race.

O’Shea will definitely be the one leading from the front, providing extreme pace to match the best there is, while Corey Macfarlane will look to replicate his heroics from Sandown, keeping the car well and truely in the fight during his co driver stints.

Keep an eye out for the #19 9ine 5ive SimSports Mustang of Dylan O’Shea & Corey Macfarlane at Bathurst!

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We find out what motivates the man behind Trans Tasman Racing and what continues to drive him to be succesful heading into the inaugural Logitech G Pro Invitational.

Without a doubt Madison Down will be a factor the entire way through this years championship as his form coming into the season places the veteran right at the top of the pile when you put the stats onto paper. Arguably the winningest driver in iRacing Supercars history, Madison doesn't appear to be slowing down as he continues to bank consistently great results at the pointy end of compeition wherever he goes.

Madison, let's kick things off with the obvious question. How do you rate your chances of winning the inaugural Logitech G Supercar Pro Invitational?

I’d like to think I’m always a shot at winning. Over the years I’ve managed to achieve plenty of great things, including as recently as the last few years winning SCOPS titles. However, this will be an all new challenge that no doubt will see the community reinvigorated and motivated. Clearly, the aim is to be at the front and challenging for wins week in week out though for sure so I’ll be working hard to make that happen.

Your ability to win championships is unprecedented. 3 V8SCOPS titles and 10 Official iRacing Supercar Championships. What's the key to being successful over a whole season?

Consistency. Always ensure you maximise every race, even if it means you can’t win it. Often, if you finish every race in the Top 5 you will be looking handy by the end of the season in the series standings. Consistent practice and ensuring you plan your time accordingly so that you don’t overdo your sessions and start experiencing burnout is also critical over the course of a season. Every single round carries the same weight meaning no round is more important than another, hence that consistency really does come into it enormously.

You've been on iRacing since 2010 so you would be considered one of the most experienced on the grid. What motivates you to stay competitive?

I’m a competitive guy that doesn’t like losing! Any time that I’m not competitively running at the front it’s a mission to work out why and keep on improving myself every single time I hit the track. More recently, I’ve really enjoyed the coaching element of racing as well and being able to share my own techniques to improve with others which in itself forces me to take a deep dive into my own driving and data so that I have a comprehensive understanding of how to maximise performance. That thrill of chasing every last thousandth and maximising a car’s performance on a track… no better feeling than that!

Your team Trans Tasman Racing is stacked with talent this year. How do you balance working together as a team but also being competitors on the track?

Team culture is critical. We always have tried to ensure that we have the right drivers onboard with attitudes that match that of the team. In the team we’ve managed to build a competitive culture in which teammates push each other to the limits, but also assist each other and offer advice to fellow teammates utilising the Virtual Racing School software to benchmark while preparing for each round. Over the past 12 months, we’ve seen the depth of the team improve to a point now where most rounds we have several cars competitive and running inside the Top 10.

To compete at this level takes a lot of commitment and effort. What does your preparation look like heading into the opening round at Sebring?

Lots of 1-to-2-hour sessions followed by data analysis with teammates sharing hints, tips, tricks and techniques. Although practice is important, structured practice so that you do not burn yourself out and waste time is important with my schedule being as busy as it is. So, I will continue to approach my racing as I have done the past few years. No doubt Sebring will be an ultra-competitive first round to kick off the inaugural series, but I have confidence that I’ll be able to be running towards the front somewhere.

What is it about the Supercar Pro Invitational that has you most excited this season? 

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WK&P lead pilot Blake Worboys finally cracked the code at Spa, bringing home his Mustang in an impressive seventh place.

His previous best of 17th way back at round one was surpassed with an excellent, level headed and advantageous drive to slice his way from 26th on the grid to a solid top 10 result.

A late race battle with SSR’s Brenton Hobson saw Worboy’s get passed the veteran and maintain a small margin all the way to the flag. This result is a huge boost for the small WK&P team from Wodonga, marking their first big achievement on the biggest stage in Australian sim racing.

Throughout the race, Worboy’s was consistent as his car looked after its tyres well and looked as settled as any through the ominous Eau Rouge, his best lap times in the low 2:19s, a reflection of the true pace Blake demonstrated throughout the race to beat some of the best operators home.

They turn their attention to Hockenheim now where the team will be looking forward to backing up this result before the endurance season starts in October. Watch for the striking green Mustang at the next round!

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For any driver, starting your campaign on the right foot provides a needed boost of confidence heading into a long season. Blake Worboys did just that at Sebring, securing a 17th place finish to get his season underway.

Worboys is one of the many returning drivers to the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup in 2023. With experience on his side along with an expanded WK&P lineup, 2023 will be a big year for Blake Worboys.

The Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup sat down with Blake ahead of the Watercraft Performance Centre Phillip Island Super Sprint to get his thoughts.

Reporter: It’s been a Solid start to your 2023 campaign, has your run at Sebring given you a boost of confidence heading into Phillip island?

Worboys: It definitely has given me the confidence that I am improving as a sim racer and that my setup knowledge is getting better with each session. Sebring was definitely a tough track to get right, but I believe we have definitely made some good progress over last year.

R: Phillip island has proven in the past it can be a difficult circuit to pass. What do you think will be the key for you personally to getting the best from yourself in qualifying?

Worboys: Phillip Island is definitely tough to pass at but not impossible with moves at turn 1, Miller and MG some great opportunities. In saying that, working with my young team mate Harrison to give each other a draft in qualifying while trying to find our own piece of realestate on track will be vital to a good qualifying position.

R: Are you finding having your teammate Harrison Dengate alongside you this year as an advantage compared to 2022?

Worboys: It is great having Harrison in the series this year. His school work does keep him busy, but we find time in our busy schedules to practice together. We work well together and like very similar things from our cars which makes life easier for us. It's great to throw ideas around with someone else in the series, unlike last year doing it all myself.

R: Finally, what are you expectations for Phillip island?

Worboys: Phillip Island is a track I love and have got some of my best results at. I don't like to set expectations on a race, but with how practice has been going and past results at the circuit, I hope to be in the mix.

As the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup heads to Phillip Island on the 19th of April, keep an eye out for Blake Worboys as he takes on the best sim racers the country has to offer.

Keep up to date with all the latest at: https://supercarsproinvitational.com.au

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Bradley Rattew says “I feel like I’ve proven to myself and others that I can perform under pressure”

For Bradley Rattew, Wednesday’s race win at Sandown is the result of hard work. Months in the making, Brad would go on to lead 38 laps of the 200 kilometre fixture making himself our third different winner in just three races.

But why is this race win so special? Not only does this mark an excellent achievement for Rattew, it marks a true turn around in form from the 9ine 5ive SimSports driver. It’s been a difficult few years for Brad, but a key move into a top team has allowed him to re discover what he’s truly capable of against the best drivers that virtual Supercars have to offer.

With one round remaining in the 2023 Logitech G Pro Invitational Qualifying Series, all is left to play for. Rattew currently finds himself 6th in the championship standings, His race win placing him well above the cutoff heading into that final round in Bathurst.

Speaking in the post race press conference, Bradley reiterated the pressure once he took control of the race, and his thought process in the final 28 lap burst we would witness after the final safety car intervention.

“Before the first restart, I thought to myself that if I can do this now, it’s going to be a great time to do it. I knew staying out in front for 25 laps was going to be difficult, but I needed to do it. In the moment I was confident that I could keep myself out the front but I knew that I had to be on my game to do it, no mistakes. But I also knew that I couldn’t go too hard knowing that doing 25 or so laps at full pace was not going to be good for me if I was to hold onto my spot in the final stages of the race”.

A win at this level for Bradley, Could spark a fresh boost of confidence for the 9ine 5ive SimSports driver, who stated taking a win was a massive weight off his shoulders.

“I feel like that I’ve proven to myself and others that I can perform under pressure from this win. Crossing the line was such a great feeling and in a way a massive weight off my shoulders because I had just finally proven to myself that I can do it and that I am competitive”

2023 marked the beginning of a new adventure for Bradley Rattew, His move across to 9ine 5ive SimSports already paying off. A fresh environment and an opportunity to race alongside some of the best in the business could be the key to more success in the near future.

“Joining 9ine 5ive SimSports I feel like has been the biggest move for me in my time Sim Racing. This has been my first opportunity to race with one of the top teams of the V8 Supercar community, and I’ve loved every minute.

It has been quite an adjustment as a driver and a team mate, but that’s not a bad thing. I believe that these where the changes I needed to improve myself on multiple fronts. Here I am able to focus more on what I need to improve, and the team helps me keep my mindset positive even in the low points” 

Heading into the final round, Rattew, Although wanting to have a crack at another win, has made it clear his intentions are to purely make sure he progresses into the 2023 Logitech G ProbInvitational Series.

“I’ll want to try and take another win, but I also know that I need to focus on making sure I score points to proceed to the main game in Pro Series. I just need to focus on making the most of the prep that I’ll have for the final round, if I feel confident enough to go for a win then I’ll give it a crack, but if not I’ll aim for valuable points”.

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Brett Loxton has runs on the board and at times he has looked like breaking through for wins at the elite level. His impressive performance in V8SCOPS at Montreal 2019 was proof of what Brett is capable of when he gets himself to the front of the field.

In recent times, inconsistency has plagued his march forward but all the drivers know that on his day, Brett can beat anyone! A long time driver at KRF and subsequentlyHJR, the rebranded Team Jinx Shifters is a small but smart team. Brett is undoubtedly the lead driver there, and come enduro time, Brett and his team will certainly be amongst the thick of it.

Brett, we all know what you can do and what you’re capable of. Do you think we will see you run towards the front of the field in the inaugural Logitech Pro Invitational Supercars Series? And what is the one big thing that you think you need to be at the front consistently?

I think its possible but there is lots of talent in the field who are also capable of being at the front. The one thing I need is to have confidence in my car that it will do what I want it to do. I have recently figured out what I need/prefer from the car for race and more importantly for qualifying, which is something I've always lacked in recent years.

You have been invited to compete with Australia’s best Supercar drivers in the Inaugural season of this series. What does it mean for you and your team to be considered one of the best Australian Supercar sim racers?

Im very humbled to be considered to be one of the best with the large talent pool we now have in Australian Supercar sim racing. Its very cool for our team to be able to make the cut.

You have been with Team Jinx Shifters (formally Zuver Racing) since 2018, and you are clearly the team leader. You are widely known as being technically excellent with car setup. What is something you look for in your car that you require to work with your driving style? And how does working in a smaller team benefit you?

I try to find a balance in car setup that is reasonably neutral, ideally with little to no understeer. Working in a smaller team is easier for me to find what I want out of a setup. I find having 4 or 5 guys working together tends to produce better results. Also being in a smaller team provides a big drive for me to try my best to get the team the recognition they deserve.

You have been on iRacing since 2015, what is your proudest moment so far and why?

I don't know if I have a proudest moment but I have some memorable ones. One of the most memorable was qualifying p2 in SCOPS at Montreal.

Which drivers do you think will be ones to watch in this series and do you think we will see any surprise results?

I think there will be plenty of drivers to watch and I think there is potential to see a few surprise results and maybe even some with breakthrough wins.

What is it about the Supercar Pro Invitational that has you most excited this season? 

I'm just excited to do some more Supercar racing with hard and fair racing.

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Round 1 of the Logitech G Pro Invitational series qualifying series is set to kick off on the 1st of February. 45 of the best drivers in the country have secured their place with the goal of making it into the 2023 edition of the series.

One driver looking to qualify is Brian Borg under the Premier Racing Team banner. 2022 saw Premier Racing Team get given their opportunity after the mid season break, Entering sole occupant Ric Kuznetsov between rounds 5-8 of the inaugural Logitech G Pro Invitational series. A top ten on debut at the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps followed by 9th in the ASRG Bathurst 1000 firmly cemented them as one of the best teams in the series.

2023 provides Brian with new beginnings and after speaking with him post pre qualifying it’s clear he’s ready to step up into a full time seat. Although stating it feels different as a true 1 car team Brian still has the belief he can get the job done.

“Returning this year as a single car team does feel strange but I’ve been doing this a long time & know how to get the best out of myself and the car. I’ve also got some good connections around still so I’m not really alone“. -Brian Borg

Although having a great support network around him, Brian still believes the opening round of the qualifying series will prove to be an interesting encounter.

“Phillip Island is a great track to race at. Qualifying plays a big part to how your race goes, lap 1 is usually is interesting so I expect that it will be no different. The racing will also be interesting viewing, As round one will show who wants to be aggressive or bank consistent points towards the championship“. -Brian Borg

Round 1 is now upon us, Brian has raised an interesting question. Who will go on the attack and want to put a mark on the series early? Or who will play it safe and look to bank consistent points? We’re all about to find out on the 1st of February at Phillip Island.

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