Synergy Sim Racing driver Kenneth Latter is starting to show his true potential in recent rounds of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Qualifying Series.

Currently sitting 12th in the standings heading into the final round at Bathurst, Sandown marked a new turn of speed we haven’t seen from Latter in recent times. Latter would go on to qualify in 17th for the 65 lap event around Sandown, putting together a clinical drive to finish inside the top ten in 8th position.

Post race, Kenneth reiterated the fact he was happy to place inside the top ten despite qualifying further down the order.

“I’m Very happy with a top 10 result. I Just wanted to keep my nose clean and put up a solid showing at Sandown and I think we did that”

The first couple of rounds were difficult for Kenneth, starting the season with a top 20, Hockenheim was one to forget, Contact with teammate Adam Briggs in qualifying making the night a difficult one. Some may think a knock of confidence may be an issue, but for Kenneth, that was no issue coming into Sandown.

“i felt confident coming into the round with the preparation I put into this race. I like to think it did show on the track. I was disappointed with my qualifications effort.... but I guess that's something I need to work on little bit more”

With the final round at Bathurst approaching, Latter will look to remain consistent as he fights to secure his place in the 2023 Logitech G Pro Invitational series.

“My hopes would be for a top 10 at Bathurst.... but the main thing is to keep it clean and run a good solid race with no mistakes”

Does Kenneth Latter have what it takes to secure promotion into the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series? Tune in on the 22nd of February to find out!

Published on

The Logitech G Pro Invitational series is fast approaching in 2023. For driver Kurt Stenberg, It’s an opportunity to write the wrongs of a difficult season in 2022.

23rd in the championship last season, Kurt found himself outside the automatic promotion cutoff at seasons end. Although a difficult season, There are plenty of reasons for Kurt to be considered a force to be reckoned with in 2023.

A 10th place in the final round of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series at Phillip island was a reminder of what this driver is capable of when he can get a clean run of things.

Speaking with Kurt, We got great insight into his pre qualifying campaign.

“I was quite surprised to be so far up the order in pre qualifying to be honest. I only put about 20 minutes into Winton. I did a reasonable amount of laps at Hungaroring but that was more about the challenge of learning a new track, checking over the rig after some off season changes and getting some data to help some teammates, more than it was about lap time.

It's filled me with some confidence going into round 1 of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series qualifiers. Phillip Island has been probably been my strongest track in the Gen 2 Supercars. We had a decent result there in the final round of 2022 and a solid result in V8SCOPS 2 years ago."

After a confidence filling pre qualifying campaign Kurt will look to continue his run of form into the qualification rounds. Speaking with Kurt, He was honest about his aspirations moving forward. A more relaxed approach seems to be on the cards in 2023.

“The goal for me isn't to qualify for the series. If i miss out on racing it doesn't worry me too much. I'm out there to try and get a podium and be up the front which I feel i isn't unrealistic. All the tracks on the schedule are tracks I enjoy and have had success at. The field is pretty competitive but after 10 years of iRacing Supercars racing that doesn't really worry me.

If we can get the results, The qualifying part takes care of itself. If i don't qualify it's very good preparation for the endurance races”.

Finally, When speaking about the key to maintaining performance throughout the qualifying series, Kurt believes his motivation will be the key.

“Motivation will be key. Racing back to back weeks at a high level is tough due to the level of preparation and personal commitment required. I'm very glad all the tracks I have raced in the past 6 months, Which makes that less of an issue than it normally would be. I personally struggle to maintain motivation and the competitive streak in sim racing especially after a difficult result. So the key will be maintaining the motivation to go out there the next week and get a good result if one of the races doesn't go to plan. You can't afford to have more than 1 bad race in such a short series”

Published on

With the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup heading to Watkins Glen for the first time in series history, we thought we’d sit down and chat with one of the good news story’s of 2023.

After a difficult 2022 campaign, Kurt Stenberg has returned to form across the opening rounds of the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup. Currently sitting a comfortable 12th place in the standings, Stenberg has found consistency across the opening 3 rounds, firmly cementing himself as a contender amongst the 45 car strong field.

With a strong start under his belt, the driver of the #47 Trams Tasman Racing Commodore will look to continue putting together consistent results as the season progresses.

We took some time to sit down with Kurt Stenberg in the lead up to Watkins Glen on the 28th of June.

R: With the cancellation of Road America we now see the series head to the Watkins Glen Cup Layout for the 4th round of the championship. have you been happy with 2023 so far heading into Watkins Glen?

KS: Yeah I've been pretty happy with my season so far. I had a solid results at Sebring and Phillip Island which I had hoped for in the lead up. I always knew Spa would be my worst track of the season, so to escape it without incident and get points was all I could ask for.

R: You’ve shown your ability to be consistent across a season in the past, for you, what is the key to maintaining the consistency and building a solid championship campaign in 2023?

KS: Honestly, staying out of trouble. In the 2022 season I tended to qualify poorly which put me on the backfoot. I got involved in a lot of incidents being in the wrong place at the wrong time trying to make up positions. The key is to stay out of trouble and finish solidly at the rounds where I'm lacking speed and to try my best to maximise any rounds where it comes together. Not try to make something happen when it isn't your night. The quality of drivers in the field is high so that the difference between a good night and a bad one is only tenths in qualifying. Without a drop round, you really cannot afford a DNF or a bad round in my position when you aren't fighting for wins.

R: What’s your thoughts on Watkins Glen Cup layout? Being new to the calendar in 2023, what challenges do you think it will provide for yourself and other competitors?

KS: I'm a huge fan of Watkins Glen Cup. Anyone who knows me knows I used to do tons of NASCAR Truck Official races there. It's very good to have it on the calendar, probably my favourite addition of 2023. It will be the first time i've seen the new rescan of it run in an iRacing Supercars race which will throw a curve ball for the experienced drivers. Watkins Glen Cup layout always has weird, drama filled races in iRacing Supercars. It's high speed flowing, banked nature makes it a track really unlike any other, the superspeed of road courses you could say. Anything can happen and will. The key will be to get slipstream in qualifying and to qualify well. Then to be patient and let the race unfold and play the strategy well staying in the main train of cars. A huge accident is only 1 small mistake away especially in the uphill esses and bus stop so you need to really pick your opportunities well.

It's been a track that's been very good to me in the past so I'm hoping I can maximise qualifying and try to survive the drama that will happen.

R: your currently in a great championship position sitting 12th, what’s your hopes or expectations heading into the upcoming round?

KS: P12 is above where I could of expected to be at this point. There are plenty of names behind me that I expect to fire and beat me in races this season. If I can leave Watkins in P12 or above then that will be expectations met. That will set me up to be safety in the Top 20 at the back half of the season. I have had a huge break from iRacing since the last round at Spa, not even turning a lap on the sim between rounds until this week. It's been a refreshing break that will help my motivation for the rest of the season. It will just mean I will need some extra laps in the preparation to get re-adjusted and hopefully continue where I left off at Watkins Glen.

As the series sets its sights on another action packed round of racing, be sure to keep up with all the latest at https://supercarsproinvitational.com.au.

Published on

After joining the Logitech G Pro Invitational series over the mid season break with the Premier Racing Team, Ric Kuznetsov has done nothing but show he belongs amongst the very best. 

With Premier Racing Team disbanding in early November, Kuznetsov became hot property on the driver market, quickly being snatched up by 9ine 5ive Simsports, a move that will lead to success for both the team and driver.

Impressive on debut at Spa with a 9th place finish along with another top 10 at the inaugural ASRG Bathurst 1000, it’s been a difficult initial stint for the Ric Kuznetsov we all know. A driver more than capable of been a podium and top 5 threat week in and week out.

Belle isle was no exception for this rising star, with pace to burn and exceptional attacking flare Ric will be ruing the missed opportunity to convert on the pace he was able to show, finding himself unfortunately being caught out in late race drama along with teammate and team owner Shawn McNamara and Synergy Sim racing driver Jack Boyd. Although this resulted in a poor final finishing position, Ric again was able to show the potential and speed he has to offer.

We spoke to Ric Post race to hear his thoughts on how his season is going along with what 2023 has install for the 9ine 5ive driver.

Unfortunately a tough race for you at Belle Isle, but a lot of positives to come from it also. What in your thoughts do you think you can take away for future rounds and 2023?

Belle isle we showed good race pace but had a poor qualifying. For future rounds it’s definitely gonna be trying to optimise quali as best I can so I’m not in the chaos in the mid pack of the grid

Obviously disappointing to see the disbanding of Premier Racing Team. How are you finding being apart of the 9ine 5ive squad and how are you fitting in?

9ine 5ive have treated me awesome! Super thankful for Shawn giving me the opportunity to race in his team. It’s only been less than 3 weeks since I joined and I feel super comfortable with the whole team, got a bunch of great drivers in the team and we are all pushing each other for better results.

Your season so far, is it what you expected? How do you feel your season since joint has been?

The Logitech Pro Invitational definitely met my expectations, 40 of the best drivers in Australia battling it out for the top spot. I feel my season so far has been pretty solid, couple of top 10 finishes since I joined which was my goal when joining the series mid season.

You’ve got an excellent bunch of drivers within your team, along with some strong prospects for the immediate future. What sort of role do you depict yourself playing in helping develop these future stars?

Feel my role is to work with everyone in the team to push each others limits and work together to optimise the best possible result for the team

Finally 2023, what sort of expectations do you hold for the qualifying series?

My expectation is to make 2023 grid of Logitech pro invitational so need to get solid results in the qualifying series.

Thank you for your time Ric, it’s been great to watch your growth since joining the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series. All the best for the remaining race and we look forward to seeing you in full flight for the 2023 qualifying series.

Published on

James Scott is already a Logitech G Pro Invitational Series Bathurst 1000 winner, a multiple time race winner and easily amongst the fastest drivers in the Championship for 2024.

But there are only truely a couple of giants of our sport, long time rivals each with a long list of achievements which puts the atop the history books with legendary status. Jarrad Filsell and Madison Down are the Brock/Moffat/Johnson/Skaife of our sport, and have accumulated every accolade our sport represents over the past 10 years, these two will be remembered and celebrated when they hang up the gloves as the original titans!

James Scott is staking his claim to stand shoulder to shoulder with those titans, representing the next wave of drivers destined for greatness. Much like Marcos Ambrose took over from Skaife, and Whincup became the dominant force in Supercars, James Scott is fast proving he will be next in line.

2023 Bathurst 1000 Victory is among the many major successes for Scott already

His performance at Red Bull Ring for round three was incredible, dominating proceedings from the front and edging out a large gap at a draft track of all places. It’s the type of drive we’ve seen from Madison Down or Jarrad Filsell in the past. James is going from strength to strength, and when he leads from the front, he is hard to beat!

Starting out in 2018 for Progression Racing Australia, James has driven for some of the best teams in Australia; All Star Motorsport, Evolution Racing Team, Altus Esports, Synergy Sim Racing and now with Lobs Esport, James has accumulated a wealth of knowledge on his journey to where he is now one of the hardest working and persistent in his search for perfection that he can deliver these type of results.

Pole Position and Race Win at Red Bull in dominating fashion for Scott

The burning achievement James desires is to win the Logitech G Pro Series championship, and stand aside Madison Down and Jarrad Filsell as a champion. Coming oh so close in 2023 fuels his fire to get it done, but there is a long road ahead, and a host of exciting talent looking to become the “James Scott”. Brady Meyers is arguably on the same trajectory as James, and knocking on the door is Ric Kuznetsov, Ethan Grigg-Gault, Andrew Gilliam and Jake Moloney, just to name a few.

What do you think? is James the next generational driver? Is James going to be revered in the same way we all admire Madison Downs's endless achievements? Is James Scott in line to take the reins from his mentor and teammate, Jarrad Filsell?

Published on

As reported last week, LOBS eSports have announced mid season acquisitions of both Andrew Gilliam and Griffin Gardiner. Both new drivers will have their first hit out with their new team at Road America this Wednesday night for Round 6 of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series.

This announcement also comes off the back of another sponsor announcement for the team, with DoohanOK coming on board all LOBS cars for the rest of the 2024 season.

Team manager, Shane VanGisbergen had this to say;

“Exciting time for us here at LOBS eSports. We are proud to team up with Jack Doohan and his DoohanOK brand to further strengthen our already burgeoning Sim Racing team. It’s been a great start to the 2024 Season for us and we believe this partnership will strengthen our on and off track performance in this year Pro Series”

Andrew Gilliam and Griffin Gardiner bolster the lineup at Lobs Esports

The cars will be run in two similar liveries, but with a slight switch of colour schemes. Jack Doohan made this announcement earlier this week;

“We are thrilled to announce a new exciting partnership between Doohan Ok and Lobs Esports, marking the beginning of an exciting collaboration aimed at achieving extraordinary results in the world of esports.

Together, we aspire to achieve some truly remarkable feats in the world of competitive gaming. This partnership represents a binding of shared values of teamwork, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of greatness.

By teaming up with Lobs Esports, we are excited to explore new opportunities, expand our reach, and deliver unforgettable experiences to our fans. We can't wait to see the team out on track, and look forward to officially starting our new partnership together.”

Tune in for round 6 of the Logitech G Pro invitational Series this Wednesday night.

Published on

Luke Rosella finds himself on the bubble in 20th after the first 3 rounds of running in the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup. A difficult season to date, Rosella is prepared to turn it all around as we head to Road America on the 7th of June.

We sat down with Luke Rosella to catch up on his thoughts about his season so far, along with his expectations moving forward.

R: Luke, it’s been a tough start to the 2023 championship for yourself, but your pace has been evident across the opening rounds. What are your thoughts on how things are going, do you think there’s room for improvement?

LR: “Yes, the pace so far this year has been very encouraging. I nearly got pole at Sebring so I would say that I’ve improved my qualifying pace which was a bit of a weakness of mine last year. In saying this, conversion from qualifying to race has not been there. Getting involved in silly incidents at both Sebring and Phillip Island not only has put a dent into my championship but has hurt my confidence a tiny bit, so that’s where the improvement for the rest of the year must be made”.

R: Do you find being on the bubble in 20th a distraction early in the season? Does it change the way you approach your racing?

LR: “Yes and no, being in that championship position does make you drive more conservative, as another poor finish or DNF makes things even worse for you, but at the same time I know I’ve got the pace to bag a good finish here and there so being on the bubble this early on doesn’t entirely phase me”.

R: what are your goals for the rest of the championship? it’s still early in the season, do you think your can turn things around and challenge for the title from here?

LR: “I think title hopes are out of the question at this point, the poor finishes at Sebring and Phillip Island have probably put that thought to bed, so naturally your goals change. The opportunity to achieve a “sprint” podium would be very nice, and its been a little side goal for me since starting the season so I’ve been working hard to achieve that. As for the championship, another top 5 finish at the end of the year is a realistic goal, and I guess time is on my side being this early in the season, so I’ve just got to knuckle down and get on with the Job!”.

R: Lastly, as we head to Road America, do you like your chances of getting yourself inside the top 20 and off the bubble?.

LR: “Road America from a team’s point of view has been really kind to us, our cars go pretty good around there in other leagues in the V8, so that’s definitely a confidence booster coming into race night. As for me, I know the track pretty well, but actually have never driven the V8 around there, so its key for me to get acclimatised with the car and track combo. Coming off a P6 last round at spa is a good confidence booster, so if I can get a good set underneath me and drive a solid race, I can certainly get inside that top 20!”.

Published on

Our 2023 series Champion Madison Down has been involved in Sim Racing for over half his life. Winning multiple championships previously, this was Madisons first series win in the Logitech G Pro series bought to you by Motorsport Australia.

We took the time to have a chat with Madison and get his thoughts on the 2023 season, and what it means to him.

First of all, Madison, congratulations on the series win, what does this mean to you?

Winning the Logitech G Pro Invitational is easily one of my hardest fought titles and another series that I was really wanting to tick off the list to have won. So to tick this one off the list is an awesome feeling especially given how much work goes into the series across the year.

What do you think was the turning point in the series that gave you the confidence to take the title?

Round 1 for me coming in out and taking the win at Sebring really gave me a confidence boost especially after the horror start I had in 2022 missing Round 1. Knowing that we had achieved 2nd in 2022 missing a round, I certainly knew that a title win could be on the cards right from the start of the year. The goal for the year was to make sure that we maximized every round. Win the race when we had the pace to do so and consolidate and score solid points when the pace wasn’t there. Thankfully, we had a super consistent season and really kept our poor results to a minimum. It wasn’t until the Enduro season finished up that we had a much more clear picture of the points standings and could see that winning it was a really strong chance.

Strategy is an important part of a solid result, who helped you make these calls, and how much do you think you gained from it?

Across the season, primarily it was a team effort. We as drivers in TTR all race from the same channel and therefore are discussing strategy throughout the race. As the championship looked more likely, we began having some outside assistance through spotters particularly in the final round. We are privileged as a team that we have multiple drivers with years of experience in sim racing and as a result are often able to make the right calls when it counts the most. However, I will give an individual shoutout to both Jake Moloney and Brock Salmon for their strategy assistance. Both those individuals made some fantastic calls that made the difference in key rounds. We didn’t make a bad call as a team all season and when you compare to our rivals, that certainly made a massive difference to the overall points at the end so I do have my teammates to thank as well for their collaboration.

TTR as a team have been incredibly strong for a number of years, what do you think is the secret?

Team culture. Over the years, we’ve had our up and down moments and had rival teams come and go. The difference for us is the culture in the team. We are all mates, we all have a deep love for racing whether it be real or virtual and we all love winning. Across the team’s 15 years or so in sim racing though, the constant has been that we are a group of mates that just love racing together and as a result we share each other’s wins and losses and work together to achieve our goals. It sounds cliché, but in my opinion that culture is everything when it comes to success.

What was in your opinion the best race of the year?

It would be easy to say any that I won! However from an excitement point of view it was definitely the Bathurst 1000 for me. Super competitive race and a fight for the lead across the entirety of the 1000km. To come down to a 3 car fight with the 3 championship protagonists at the end was just super. Yes, we didn’t get the win that day but I did thoroughly enjoy the fight with James Scott in the final stint and threw absolutely everything at him but he was too good on the day. That race felt like everything that this car and this series is about. Close, Hard touring car racing!

Did you think at any stage that the title may be slipping away from you?

There were times I felt like that lacked outright car speed, we were always there or thereabouts however at times just were on the wrong side of a tenth of a second which was costing us. It was feeling as though we’d need to find that pace more quickly than our rivals and were playing catch up. I don’t think there was ever a key moment it felt like it was too far away, we ran inside the Top 5 in points all season and were always close to the top of the standings. Thankfully, we worked really well together and were able to bridge that gap in pace I feel as the year went on. It did seem though that we struggled at low speed circuits and were fast at high speed and flowing circuits.

What are your thoughts on the series overall?

Without a doubt the Logitech G Pro Invitational is the pinnacle series in Australia for sim racing in my opinion. Super professionally run and by far the most competitive series out there. Just look at how close the field is and the depth of that field and its just amazing to see. Its been a pleasure to be a part of and to actually now say that I have won the Driver’s Championship in this incredible series is just an absolute honor!

And finally, 2024, will we see the car number 1 battling its way for the championship for the 12 round championship?

Absolutely! We will be back and will be benching the #77 while we defend our title in Car #1! I can’t wait for a bigger and better season to get started in 2024!

Thanks so much for your time on this Mads, really appreciate it.

Published on

Madison Down yet again has burst into championship contention in 2023 with a string on strong results to back up his season opening victory at the Sebring Turn In Race Apparel Sprint round.

Boasting an impressive average finish of 7.6 in 2023, Down currently sits a comfortable second in the standings behind Synergy Sim Racings James Scott heading into Belle Isle.

We took the time to sit down with Madison Down in the buildup to next Wednesday’s Sebring Super Sprint, touching base on the recent round at Red Bull Ring, Jake Burton’s TTR return & the upcoming endurance cup.

R: It’s been another solid round for you at Red Bull Ring, collecting yet another solid haul of points. Now sitting second in the championship, what is the key moving forward to continue reducing the gap to championship leader James Scott?

MD: Easiest way to win is to be fast, so that's the primary focus above all for me. We've had good consistency this year but a few unforced errors from my end have definitely put us on the back foot. The last few rounds the focus has been to be fast enough to win, but focus on the big picture instead of just the next corner.

R: With only 1 remaining round before we embark on the 2023 Endurance Cup, there’s been very little word on who may line up alongside yourself in the #77 Trans Tasman Racing Commodore. Given your well and truely in contention for the championship, have you given much thought as to who could possibly find themselves paired alongside you in 2023?

MD: Truthfully, I have no idea who will be alongside me in the Enduros! It's not something that has crossed our minds but in the next few weeks we'll be working towards finalising those pairings in Trans Tasman Racing. We have three drivers in the Top 5 so it is important to ensure that we put our best foot forward in these races to ensure the best possible result across the year. Honestly though, I don't think there will be many changes in our line up versus what you saw in 2022, however, applications are open!

R: The Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup heads to Belle Isle for round 7 of the 2023 championship on the 9th of August. In 2022 you found yourself runner up to series champion Jarrad Filsell around the concrete canyon. Do you feel like yourself and TTR are in a much stronger position heading back to this particular circuit?

MD: Its a tough track, so different to all of the others on the calendar with no room for error. Anything can happen around a street circuit but again, a fast race car will solve many problems. If we can put ourselves up the front in qualfiying that will be a big part in staying out of trouble. From a personal point of view, it hasn't been the strongest of tracks for me in the past so to grab a podium here last year was a solid result. Filsell will no doubt be fast once again and tough to beat, we just need to run our own race and remember who we are fighting in the points standings. It is extrememly close at the top end of town this year and it really is anyone's race every time we hit the track.

R: Trans Tasman Racing has had an extremely strong lineup for a number of years now. Has the inclusion of Jake Burton to the 2023 lineup been a big step forward for the team? It must be a big boost to be able to include someone with the experience & talent of Jake?

MD: It's been massive I believe for the success of the team. Yes, we are always fast here at Trans Tasman Racing however to have that extra driver to compare data with and bounce ideas off with the strong talent that is Jake Burton has been a great addition in 2023. Jake and I have worked together in recent years to some great success in the Supercars Eseries with Brad Jones Racing so it made sense to reunite Burton and Trans Tasman Racing this year to give ourselves the best possible chance to win races. It helps that we are also all just great mates with each other, the team environment overall this year has been fantastic and a genuinely enjoyable place to be.

The Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup heads to Belle Isle on the 9th of August for the second super sprint round of 2023. The championship is tight at the top, the fight is on! Who will reign supreme?

Published on

Madison Down “ To win these days, you need to drive a near perfect race, so to do that was an awesome feeling”.

When starting a new season if you asked any driver up and down the grid, they’d happily take a pole position & Race win to get their campaign underway in the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup. For Trans Tasman Racing driver Madison Down, that’s exactly what he went and achieved.

The 2022 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup was a good campaign for Madison, but the unfortunate power outage before round one, ultimately sealed his fate, finishing second in the standings behind Synergy Sim Racing’s Jarrad Filsell.

We took some time during the week to speak with Madison. Speaking on his result at Sebring, his rivals & his chances in the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro invitational Cup.

Speaking on the Turn In Race Apparel Sebring Sprint, Madison reiterated how good it was to start 2023 in winning form.

“Fantastic start to 2023. I wanted to start off with some momentum so to grab pole position and a win, it doesn’t get much better than that.

The feeling crossing the line first in such a competitive field and hard fought battle was just awesome. I was genuinely pleased with how I drove and didn’t make any mistakes across the race. To win these days, you need to drive a near perfect race so to do that was an awesome feeling” - Madison Down.

With Jarrad Filsell suffering a difficult start to his Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup title defence, Madison made it clear his thoughts were solely on making sure he executed his own race at Sebring, Capitalising on the misfortune of Filsell wasn’t on his mind.

“ I personally wasn’t too focused on Jarrad at the time during the race. Key for me was to drive my own race and ensure I maximised my own result which fortunately I was able to do. It’s hard not to think of the result before it happens but usually the minute you do it goes different to how you imagine.

Jarrad having an unfortunate start certainly helps us points wise, but there’s a long way to go and anything can happen. Personally I’ll be taking it one race at a time and worry about points later on in the year” - Madison Down.

Maximising round one & leading the championship as we head to Phillip Island, Madison Down has cemented himself as one of the favourites to fight for the 2023 championship. If he keeps the momentum in his favour, Madison believes he’s in with a chance in 2023.

“I always like my chances, last year getting off on the back foot made it difficult but to get back to 2nd, by the years end we showed how consistent and fast we were across the year. I’ve got good momentum of late, a few race wins across multiple series and winning the Supercars Pro Eseries last year so I’m feeling good about 2023”. - Madison Down.

Published on

As we head into the 3rd round of the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup, we took time to sit down and speak with Marcello Rivera, who’s returning to Spa-Francorchamps for the first time after an excellent display of driving which saw the #21 Evolution Racing Team Commodore take pole position for last years event.

The 2023 season has proven to be a difficult one to date for Rivera, although having plenty of pace onboard his ERT Commodore, conversion has seemed to elude Him over the course of the opening rounds of the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup.

With a best result of 15th in the opening race of the Watercraft Performance Centre Phillip Island super sprint, Marcello will look to put his championship campaign back on track at a circuit where he’s shown he can race against the elite.

R: So Marcello, It’s been a difficult start to your championship in 2023, the results don’t reflect the pace you’ve been able to show. As we head to round 3 at Spa, does the difficult start you’ve experienced change the way you approach Spa?

MR: My first 2 rounds have been disappointing results, however I’m happy with my pace so I’ll just have to stay positive and the results will come.

R: Last year you took a breakthrough pole position at Spa. As we return this year, do you think you can replicate your heroics from last year’s qualifying session?

MR: Last years pole was a great achievement for me. Im hoping my pace this year around spa is also good but I’m certainly not putting any extra pressure on myself to replicate last year.

R: Finally Marcello, you know what it’s like to race against the best drivers in the series, what do you think it will take it win in a field full of tough competition?

MR: For me to win a race in this series I would need to have a near perfect round. Top 3 in qualifying followed by a mistake free race would be the bare minimal if I was to win a race.

R: Thanks for your time Marcello, we look forward to seeing you up the front in contention for the race win at Spa-Francorchamps.

Published on

Brady Meyers is a hot topic as we head into round 4 of the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup. Currently sitting 6th in the standings, Meyers has had a reasonably solid season to date, notching up a podium in the season opening Turn In Race Apparel Sebring sprint with a season average of 11.25 across the opening 3 rounds so far.

Although 6th is a great place to be, it doesn’t really showcase the true pace of the driver behind the wheel of the X-Trim Motor Trimming Trans Tasman Racing Commodore.

2022 was a excellent year for Brady Meyers sim racing career. A V8SCOPS title, followed by 2 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup wins at Sebring & Phillip Island highlighted the talent that many have known for some time.

But 2023 hasn’t shown the results Meyers may of been hoping for. A great run at Sebring finishing runner up to stablemate Madison Down has been followed by difficult nights at both Phillip Island & Spa-Francorchamps.

With Road America set to feature for the first time in the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup on the 7th of June, It could prove to be the circuit for Brady Meyers that springboards his 2023 championship challenge.

Road America is a special place for many, but for Meyers, it marks one of his best moments as a driver to date. Sealing the 2022 V8SCOPS championship didn’t come easily. A close fought battle with Synergy Sim Racing’s Wayne Bourke came down to the final round of 2022 at Road America. Under pressure, Meyers delivered one of his strongest drives, all but dominating the 250 kilometre feature sealing a maiden championship.

As we prepare to tackle the 6.515 kilometre precinct for the first time in the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup, it’s hard to ignore Brady Meyers scintillating form around the circuit.

Published on

2022 Logitech G Pro Invitational Series driver Luke Mitchinson has opened his qualifying series account in the best way possible with a 13th place finish at the opening round of the championship at Phillip Island.

2022 was a character building year for RACEONOZ driver Mitchinson, Difficult results lead to a underwhelming championship campaign finding himself outside the cutoff at seasons end in 30th position.

Returning to the series in 2023 through the qualifying series, Round 1 at Phillip Island has shown the potential Mitchinson has to offer.

Qualifying 18th for the 45 lap race, Luke would slowly make his way forward. Keeping his driving simple along with following a straightforward strategy yielded a solid opening result, Crossing the line in 13th position at race end.

Speaking with Luke in the garage regarding Round 1 post race, The feeling was although achieving a great opening result there may be more left to offer for this driver, The main focus still set on being consistent, With the key to success also being staying out of other peoples trouble.

“I was actually expecting to qualify a bit higher than 18th but I struggled getting the car turned in with the aero wash. The race went as planned however and I slowly made my way up the field. As tempting as it is to make big moves I know I have the pace for a solid result and decided not to risk anything in the first race. I’m confident in my current pace and feel like I’m only improving. The main threat is putting it in the fence or being put in the fence so I’ll be doing all I can to keep away from any incidents“

Mitchinson also highlighted the the help he has received from his teammates at RACEONOZ, Explaining their experience in Supercars has helped him make his own progression.

“The solid result was really down to the help from my teammates Tyler Blackburn and Justin Wallace who’ve got plenty of experience in the supercars. Practicing together brings out a friendly competition between us and with their help I’ve been able to improve my racecraft and find pace towards the end of a stint“.

With the 2023 series fast approaching, Luke will aim to make it through to the offical series.

“I’m simply aiming to make the cutoff to the main series through consistent results. The four round structure really keeps you on your toes where one bad result can send you out of contention in the blink of an eye. I’m looking forward to a good year of racing“.

As we prepare for the qualifying series to head Hockenheim on the 8th of February will Luke Mitchinson be able to continue his run of form? 

Published on

Matthew Bowler finds himself “on the bubble” heading into round 9 of the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup, set to be held at Bathurst in little under a weeks time.

Bowler has been through a roller coaster ride to date in his debut season amongst Australia & New Zealand’s finest Drivers, hitting his stride and the best possible time heading into arguably the biggest race of the year.

Currently 20th in points, Bowler has found himself with an excellent opportunity to capitalise on the valuable points structure enduros provide, with 400 massive points still up for grabs at Bathurst.

We took the time to sit down with Matthew Bowler to discuss his thoughts as he sits on the bubble.

R: This week sees yourself sat on the bubble heading into the biggest race of the year. What’s your assessment on your performances so far in the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup?

MB: It’s definitely been a season filled with highs and lows, I knew that the competition would be at a level which I’ve never raced at and just being on the grid against the best to do it in Australia is truely an eye opener. Whilst most results have been outside of where I would have wanted, I have had highlights in races likes Watkins Glen, where I managed to grab 10th across the line.

R: The Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup is arguably one of the toughest & most competitive series currently operating is Australia, what does it take for you to remain competitive week on week? Give us an idea of what preparation looks like for you heading into each round?

MB: Practice practice and more practice. Practice is a key in extracting the most speed in this car and allows you to find the limits, whilst timing hasn’t been great for most of the season I have been restricted on how much practice I’m putting in. Although enduros have told a difference story and am confident that bathurst will tell a different story. It’s extremely important that I work alongside the team at Evolution Racing Team to test, work out strategy and make a setup that suits my driving style. It’s great to have teammates like Ethan and Ian in the team, who have a strong knowledge on how to extract the most of the car.

R: The 2023 endurance cup sees yourself paired alongside the experienced Beau Albert. With ability across multiple disciplines on iRacing, how are you finding working with Beau so far this year?

MB: working with Beau Albert has been awesome, and whilst the result at sandown doesn’t show it, we are more confident that Bathurst will tell a different story. As you said Beau Albert is an extremely talented driver across multiple categories of racing, so to have someone at that calibre alongside me is great, as he knows the type of practice that goes into these races. With his success in scops this year and also in the past for Altus Esports especially at Bathurst, we will be looking to fight for another top 10 or even better.

R: Being the driver on the bubble heading into arguably the biggest race of the year, how do you manage the pressure, ensuring the best result possible on race day?

MB: I think it’s important to manage the car and know your opportunities, it’s a long race with 161 laps to make passes. It’s not something that needs to be thrown away by a risky move on lap 6, our goal will be to manage strategy, keep the car clean and look after the tires to ensure we are in the fight come race end. Keeping cool is definitely a different story, so it’s important as a driver you stay calm and focus on what’s in-front rather than behind.

Published on

There's only one race left for drivers to lock into the 2024 Pro Invitational Series as Fuji will host the Qualifying Series finale. Brady Baldwin finds himself on the bubble and in 20th position and we took some time to talk to him ahead of the finale.

R: Three rounds complete and you're right on the bubble in Position 20 right now and 24 points clear of the cutoff. How do you evaluate your performance in the 3 races up to this point?

BB: Definitely better than what I expected! Coming into this series I wasn’t 100% sure where I would stack up as I have only taken the supercar semi-seriously for the last 6 months. I have felt like I have improved each and every round and gained more confidence. Hopefully, we put in one last good performance and make the big dance!

R: You have a reputation as an accomplished dirt driver and are now transitioning to Supercars. How do you feel you're adapting to Road Racing?

BB: It's been a massive learning curve for sure! I often got frustrated when I wasn’t improving despite putting in more and more laps but it's slowly coming more naturally. I am very fortunate to be a part of Synergy Sim Racing and have a great group of guys who have guided me through the last 6 months and hope to repay the faith they have in me by making the Pro Invitational Series.

R: As a part of the Synergy Sim Racing stable which has 4 cars in the Qualifying Series, how has that helped you so far over the opening rounds?

BB: It's been a huge help for sure! All 3 have been super helpful and we have been putting the laps in together. Jordan Ross has been great with some driver coaching when he's not calling me a wobbler haha. It's also very helpful to have a benchmark to chase as well with Jordan and Fawzan being right up the pointy end every race, and many others behind the scenes helping out has been awesome!

R: With only Fuji left to lock yourself into the Top 20 there's a lot of pressure to have a strong result. How do you approach the final race?

BB: I think I approach it like any of the previous races. Get a few nights of practice in and try to get comfortable and the pace should be there. I feel I have been easily good enough for a top 20 every week so hopefully that continues. If we can avoid lap 1 drama unlike at Hockenheim. I back myself to be in a good enough position to lock in, but it's V8 Supercar racing, anything can happen!

R: Lastly, how much would it mean to you to be on the grid at Sebring for Round 1 of the Pro Invitational Series in March?

BB: It would mean the world to me honestly. It is the premier series in Australia hands down, it's the one you want to be a part of. Coming from a completely different discipline which I have had some success in to then make the Pro Invitational Series would be massive. It will also fast-track my progression by racing with the best drivers in these cars over 12 rounds would be great as well!
 
 

Published on

As the 2024 Logitech G Pro Invitational Series progresses past the fifth of twelve rounds, the spotlight intensifies on the top 20 positions in the standings, determining who will earn automatic promotion to the 2025 Series.

Currently on the bubble is Brenton Hobson, a fan favorite and seasoned veteran on the grid. After a disappointing DNF at Watkins Glen in the previous round, Hobson has slipped to 20th in the standings. His experience and popularity make his precarious position a surprising and closely watched development as the competition intensifies.

R: Can you give us a brief recap of each of the first five races from your perspective? What went well and what didn’t?

BH: It's been an interesting start to the season. I struggled badly at Sebring to start the year and inherited a decent finish amidst all the chaos that happened at the front of the pack. From there I feel like I've steadily improved all season up until Watkins Glen where I had a technical issue force me out of the race and forced a 0 points result. I went from comfortably inside the top 10 back to 20th so now I'm on the back foot again, trying to accumulate points.

R: You suffered some misfortune at Watkins Glen. How do you bounce back from that heading into the next race at Road America?

BH: Despite the obvious bad result, I actually felt fast and comfortable going into Watkins Glen. Probably the best I've been in the Supercar for some time. So I can take some of that confidence into Road America. I treat the hardware issue that I sustained like a part failure on a real-life car, it was outside of my control and there was nothing I could do about it so I try not to dwell on that too much.

R: Did you expect to be in this position at this point in the season? How does your current standing compare to your initial expectations?

BH: I'm fairly realistic with my expectations. I have managed to place inside the top 20 both in 2022 and in 2023 so I feel like that's where I should be again this year. I feel like I'm a good points racer and should probably be capable of getting close to the top 10 over the season but a DNF at Watkins Glen probably puts an end to that. After Round 1 at Sebring I probably wouldn't have even expected to be near the top 20 so I can't be too disappointed with where I'm at, especially with a bad result behind me.

R: How has your team supported you throughout the season, and what role do they play in your preparation and strategy?

BH: I'm really fortunate to be a part of Synergy Sim Racing. I'm not a very proactive driver when it comes to testing and preparation and luckily for me I can lean pretty heavily on my teammates when it comes to preparing car setups. I usually have an idea of my strategy going into a race and I adapt on the fly. I think my experience helps me a lot there and I tend to be pretty good at that part of the racing. Of course, having a number of other drivers to bounce ideas off of is certainly beneficial and I often find myself comparing potential outcomes with my teammates who might have a completely different approach to the strategy.

R: Does being on the edge of the top 20 add extra pressure to perform, and how do you ensure that this pressure drives you positively rather than hindering your performance?

BH: I think the pressure around the top 20 is worse at the end of the season if you're close to the bubble. This early on there's a lot to still play out including enduros so it's not worth worrying about the points too much yet. I think my experience helps me out with handling that pressure as well. I've been around a long time and manage my nerves quite comfortably. I know I can only go out and do my best. Trying to force a better result than I'm capable on any given night won't yield a benefit so I just go about my business and let the points take care of themselves.

Published on

As we head into the back half of the 2024 Pro Invitational Qualifying Series we look towards the mid-pack to focus our attention on the ever increasingly important Top 20. 

For Connor Nixon of Vermillion Motorsports, the stakes couldn't be higher as he finds himself perched on the edge of a transfer position with only 2 races remaining in the series.Sitting precariously in 21st position, Nixon understands the gravity of his situation. With only 20 coveted spots available for promotion to the 2024 main series, the pressure cooker of competition is reaching its boiling point. The qualifying series, designed to sift through the best of the best, leaves no room for error, no margin for hesitation.

R: Half way through the Qualifying Series and you sit in position 21 and right on the bubble for an invitation to the 2024 series. How would you rate your performances so far in the first 2 rounds?

CN: So far the series has been not too bad for me. Round 1 was good despite having PC issues which forced me to miss practice and left me 42nd in qualifying but I recovered to 25th so that was a good drive. I have the best spotter in the world in Curtis Bird and in Round 2 he pushed for me to have a clean race which we did and went from 25th to 18th. I maintain confidence in my capabilities to secure a position within the top 20. I remain hopeful that my condition, cerebral palsy, does not impede my performance as the competition progresses.

R: Tell us a little about your condition and how it affects your ability to complete on the sim?

CN: Racing definitely takes it out of me. It's taken a lot of work and testing to get my setup just how I need it to make it possible to race competitively. I'm running normal gear in my Rig, a Simagic Alpha with a P310 HRS Wheel with a Tilton Pedal Box. But with the help of my Physio, I've had to work on customising my positioning a lot. I have to angle my Rig so I can use more of the muscles in the back of my legs to allow me to get enough force through to the pedals. I spend a lot of time in the gym so my upper body strength is quite good at handling the forces through the Direct Drive wheel. I actually use my time in the sim for training purposes to help build up my strength. The more time I spend racing the stronger I get but if I take a break for a couple of weeks or more it's really hard to recondition myself again.

R: You're right on the cusp in points as it stands right now. How important is it to you to make it into the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series for 2024?

CN: I think it's important to me because my whole life I've always been told 'no' from people 'No you can't do that' and even when I started racing the Supercar competitively on iRacing people said I couldn't do it. But I made my way from the Back of Split 2 in V8SCOPS races up into the middle of Top Split races and I proved them wrong. I always like to be a person who proves a lot of people wrong. Now I want to make it to the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series to continue proving to people and to myself that I can do it.

R: With only Hockenhiem and Fuji left to lock yourself into the Top 20, how do you approach the next 2 races?

CN: I have a lot of other races happening at the minute between a couple of Daytona 500's and the recent OSR Bathurst 12 Hour so preparation has been limited. But I'm confident in Jacob [O’Reilly] and the two Zach's that we have onboard [Rattray-White and Vlasblom] because we've already done some testing and got setups on the car that feels good.

I just need to get points so I'll enter the races with a clear head and let my spotter Curtis steer me through. He's been doing a great job and keeps me calm and focused in the car which is what I need. We'll just try and stay out of trouble and hopefully get all the Vermillion 'Wagons' to the front!

Thank you for your time, We wish you all the best for the remaining rounds of the series.

Published on

As the 2024 Logitech G Pro Invitational Series reaches the one-third mark of the season, the spotlight increasingly turns to the top 20 positions in the standings, which determine who will earn automatic promotion to the 2025 Series.

With that in mind, let's focus on the driver currently sitting right on the bubble: Trans Tasman Racing's Jake Burton. Despite a season marked by ups and downs, including a victory at Phillip Island in round two, Jake finds himself precariously perched just inside the cutoff for promotion. This surprising position adds extra pressure as the competition intensifies.

We took a few minutes to chat to Jake about his season so far:

How do you feel about your performance so far this season, especially being on the cusp of the top 20?

Not great, at this point of the season for the last two years I’ve either been leading the championship or deep in the Top 5, so it’s without a doubt my worst start to a season to date and 20th doesn’t feel like where I belong. Winning again at Phillip Island was obviously a huge moment, but my preparation for the other rounds really hasn’t been good enough, and it shows in the results.

What have been the biggest challenges for you in the first four races?

Honestly, time and motivation. My life outside of sim racing has been extremely busy this year, from work to real life racing commitments. That combined with some of the stewarding decisions in the opening two rounds really made it difficult to get excited about racing.
Effort equals results, this series is extremely competitive, and you can see that the likes of LOBS and others are just doing a better job at the moment. If I don’t put the time in, I’m not going to get the outcome, so I need to step that up to have any chance of taking it to LOBS (or staying in the Top 20 for that matter) this year.

What are your goals for the remainder of the season, beyond just maintaining your current position?

My championship hopes are over this year, so I’d really like to try and perform well in the enduros. It’s been a weakness of mine for the last two years, and to finally get a good result at Bathurst would be nice. In addition to that, it’d be nice to win more races. Phillip Island was great, but if I could make the most of my other strong tracks and steal another win or two that would be awesome.

Is there a particular race so far this season that you would approach differently if given the chance, and why?

Jerez for sure. That wasn’t a track I had ever seen before prior to the official practice session, and it surprised me how technical and challenging it was, especially with the hot track conditions. It’s a track that demanded really accurate and consistent driving, which I just didn’t have on the night. I think if we visit there again I need to really explore different setup options and do a lot more laps to work the place out, at least if we want to challenge LOBS.

What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming races, and which track do you think will be your strongest?

I think not being in championship contention actually takes some pressure off. I’m excited to just try and enjoy my racing and perform well when I’ve got the time. The next round at Watkins Glen has always been a happy hunting ground for me, I won there last year and it’d be great if I can repeat that in 2024.

With that we say thanks to Jake for his time and wish him the best of luck for the reminder of the season. We look forward to seeing if he can back up for 2023 Watkins Glen form next week when we head back to North America.

Published on

The 2024 Logitech G Pro Invitational Series has been a wild ride for Tom Freer of Synergy Sim Racing, with a mix of good fortunes and bad along the way. 

A terrific drive and a podium finish at the season-opening Sebring round was a highlight of the year and a catalyst for what has been shaping up as a promising season for the likable Freer. One of the most consistent drivers in the field, Tom has scored top 10 finishes in in the series so far in his first two attempts and in 2024 his on track form has indicated this could be his best year yet.

However a turn of bad luck at Watkins Glen and then again throughout the Trueforce Enduro Cup has seen him languishing in the standings and falling back to the tail end of the top 20. He now finds himself fighting for automatic promotion at the end of the season.

R: Can you give us a brief recap of the season so far from your perspective? What went well and what didn’t?

TF: 2024 has been a roller coaster for me personally. Starting the year off with a lucky p2 at Sebring was nice, but since it’s been a struggle. Top tens have been possible most weeks, but personally I’ve been very mistake prone and low on confidence mainly since Jerez. The rest of 2024 is hopefully going to be a rediscovery of form and enjoyment from my racing.

R: Did you expect to be in this position at this point in the season? How does your current standing compare to your initial expectations

TF: Honestly no I didn’t. Going into the enduros I was comfortably 9th in the championship, so to be in this position is a kick in the teeth and a wake up call to be better.

R: How has your team supported you throughout the season, and what role do they play in your preparation and strategy?

TF: Synergy has been really supportive over the course of the year. They’ve been there for me for the highs and lows, always giving me and the guys the support we need. We’re lucky now that we have a really strong team environment compared to last season, with a bunch of guys who want to see the best for one another and not just themselves. Although the results aren’t always there, the potential is thanks to the environment within the driving group.

R: Why is it so important to be in the top 20 of the final results?

TF: The importance of being in the top 20 varies for everyone I think. For me personally, it’s your ticket into the next season, you don’t have the stress of having to qualifying though the tightly contested qualifying series and you can enter the next year already focusing on Sebring, without distraction.

R: Does being on the edge of the top 20 add extra pressure to perform, and how do you ensure that this pressure drives you positively rather than hindering your performance?

TF: It would be different for everyone. But for me personally no. I think it does the exact opposite. It’s a chance to throw caution to the wind and just have a crack. It’s so easy for things to go wrong in this series, and usually, it is mostly out of your control.

Thanks to Tom for his time and for talking to us and we wish him all the best for the remainder of the season. The next round takes us to Mount Panorama for the biggest race of the year, the Bathurst 1000. Tune in on Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd of September for all the action.

Published on

So far, the initial 40 drivers in the inaugural series have put on a great show after just two rounds. As we know though, only the rop 20 get automatically locked in for the 2023 Season. So for that one person in 21st at the conclusion of the series, there will be heartbreak at being so close to locking in when the qualifying process in 2023 will undoubtebly be hotly contested. 

After each round we sit down and talk to the driver that is placed in that 21st position and this week it’s Team Jinx Shifters - HJR's Brett Loxton.

Brett, you are our driver “On the bubble”…….21st, the top 20 get through, have you been happy with how your series has gone so far?

To be on the bubble after 3 rounds, I'm happy with that considering the poor qualifing I've had so far.

Before the start of the series, what were your goals?

My goals before the start of the series was to finish in the top 15 and get some top 10 finishes along the way.

What will it take for you to get into the top 20?

I think to make the top 20 I'll definately need to qualify better and a bit more race pace wouldnt hurt. The last round I knew would be a bit of a challenge for me as I haven't any confidence around Red Bull Ring and round 2 was a bit of an unkown having never driven around Winton before but I'm confident I can start pushing forward the rest of the season.

How important is it for you to make the top 20 so that you don’t have to go through the qualifying series?

I think the impotance of making the top 20 is two fold. Not having to go through the qualifing series removes a bit of pressure but I think for me its more about proving to myself and everyone else that I'm good enough to officaily be in the top 20 drivers. If I have have to go through the qual series I'm confident I can make it make back in but not having to do it will be the boost of confidence I need for next season.

And finally what are your thoughts on the series?

I think the series so far has been good. The quality of driver talent in the field means you cant just rock up, you need to be prepared for every race. The series officials/organizers have also been holding the bar high for everyone which is great to see.

Thanks for the chat, Brett, we wish you luck for future races and hope that you can get “off the bubble”

Published on