One round left. One round that separates the top 20 automatic qualifiers for the 2023 Logitech G Pro Invitational Series.

We have our series winner in Jarrad Filsell but for those mid pack, this race means a lot to ensure that they don’t have to take that risk in the qualifying series in February.

With one of the teammates Brett Loxton and Chris Coxhead favoured to get that all important top 20 there is a name that has the potential to sneak in from a current 22nd position.

Griffin Gardiner has had an adventurous season that has included multiple top 10 finishes amidst some poor results and nonstarters. Changing to a privateer mid-season he has found himself working at times with Jake Burton to get the most out of his ZB Commodore.
We spoke to Griffin before the final race.

Thanks for joining us, Griffin. After a tough season you have given yourself a chance to sneak into the top 20 late, what do you think your chances are?

It has definitely been an adventurous season, moving up and down the championship standings but I think I have a good shot at cracking the Top 20. There is a decent margin between Brett, Chris, and myself. However with proper preparation I think I can finish high enough to get the points I need.

What has been the season highlight for you, and do you think you can reproduce it at Phillip Island?

Detroit was definitely the highlight of the season so far. I didn't expect anything going into the round, with just over 1 hour Practice. I managed to Qualify 6th, race near the front all night and have some fun. I know where I need to be with the car to compete at the front, so getting there will be the focus for Phillip Island.

How important is it to you to make the coveted top 20?

Going into the season I was expecting to finish in the Top 10 and my early season form had me finishing there. Other factors have come into play, missing rounds and getting used to new equipment, which has taken longer than expected. I really want to avoid the qualifying series as there are plenty of quality drivers waiting in the wings to challenge and with only four rounds, anything can happen.

Finally, how have you seen the series in its debut year?

I have really enjoyed the series this year and overall I think it has been a step in the right direction for the Supercars community. The concept behind it is great and the people behind it have put in a lot of hardwork to get it going. At the end of the season I'm sure everyone will look back and be happy with how the inaugural season turned out.

Thanks for taking the time with us, we wish you all the best in the last round.

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In 20th on 836 points is Chris Coxhead, but not far behind on 812 is teammate Brett Loxton.

With a 55-point gap in front, and a larger gap behind, it could very well come down to which one of these two make the top 20.

We had a chance to sit down and talk to the teammates about what making the top 20 means to them.

Thanks for joining us gentlemen. It seems to be coming down to the two of you as to who gets the automatic qualifying for next year's series.

First to you Chris, what do you think your chances are with two rounds to go? Confident of making it in?

Belle Isle has been a favourite of mine and I've done well there in the past, but I can't say the same about Phillip Island. I'm not feeling super confident about staying in the 20 to be honest but will give it a good crack.

And to you Brett, what are your thoughts?

I think I can make it in but with me and Chris being so close anything could happen. We seem to have finished very very close all season.

The good news is that with two of you battling for 20th spot is that the team should have a car on the grid for next year. The bad news is that one of you will miss out and must go the long way around to try again. How do you go about the next two races?

Chris: I think if there's a possibility of us working together to pull a decent result of course we'll do that, but otherwise we'll race each other as hard as anyone else out there. Knowing our history it's likely we'll be near each other in the races. The unicorns are magnets or something…

Brett: Same as usual, just do the best I can and try keep the car out of trouble and bring home as many points I can.

Now that the enduros have finished, how did you find them? Did they meet your expectations?

Chris: With both enduros I would have liked to have been another 5-10 places up the road, but it's so bloody difficult with how competitive the field is. At Sandown our strategy didn't pay off due to the lack of safety cars. Then at Bathurst I feel like we were constantly on the back foot due to the drive thru and then some damage, towards the end of the race we were using the safety car to try and get the car repaired and stay on the lead lap but the car didn't feel super strong and it was difficult to move up through the field. In the end it was definitely good to finish both races and once again super consistent and clean driving from Henry, so mega thanks to him!

Brett: I didn’t meet my expectations. I feel like I didn’t do a good enough job of maximizing what we had. The events themselves went quite well, although some of the driving was far more aggressive than I was expecting for an enduro.

How important is it to you to make the coveted top 20?

Chris: To be honest I'm pretty happy with being anywhere around the 20. Ultimately Brett has more pace than me, but hasn't had the luck this season. Regarding next year; it's a bit of a question mark at the moment with other commitments on the way. Whatever the result, it's been great racing all year and I've had a fun time so I'm pretty content with it all.

Brett: I would say important, but i think that’s more just for my ego, hahaha. I’m not too worried now that i know that if I don’t then Chris will be in, and if I don’t make the twenty it just means I'll have some more race seat time in the car which is something I've been lacking.

And finally, in one word, who makes it. Chris or Brett?

Chris: Brett will get me I think and make it in.

Brett: Chris has a head start, it will be great for the team to get one of us in.

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The Logitech G Pro Invitational Series is the championship that everyone wants to be a part of and the organisers still get frequent questions on how to get involved as a driver.

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 Synergy Sim Racing's Jordan Ross.

Jordan, you are our first driver “On the bubble”. Being 21st when only the top 20 get automatic invites back in 2023, have you been happy with how your series has gone so far?

Ive been happy with my pace. I rarely give myself a pass by blaming my incidents as unlucky, however I feel I have genuinely been pretty unlucky to not have capitalised on Q9 at Sebring and Q11 at Winton. A couple of first lap incidents have really put me on the back foot, but im confient i can run in the 10 if I can survive the first lap.

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

Obviously I want to finish as high up as I can, there is no reason why I cant fight for podiums and top 5's, but I'd really like to finish inside the top 10. Im on the back foot a bit now, its touch and go whether Ill make Red Bull Ring, and if I do it will be little preparation, so I have to back myself to have a strong run home. I'm sure we can, our team is great and helping each other push further up the field.

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

We just need to keep doing what were doing. Altough the results have been bad so far, its not representative and I know that, so I just need to keep going, the results will come. It would help if EGG (Ethan Grigg Gault) and myself were separated on track too, everytime we find each other, there is tears.

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

Obviosuly making the top 20 is important, I dont want to do the qual series, however I'm confident I'll get through if I have to. But im sure we will have a good run home and make the 20. It's not all bad, I've had the start from hell and Im still on the bubble so once Red Bull is over, ill be back into the swing of things and getting the job done for SSR.

Thanks for the chat, Jordan, we wish you luck for future races and hope that you can get “off the bubble” as the season winds on. The battle for those top 20 spots will be back in full effect as the teams and drivers take on Red Bull Ring this coming week.

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The mid point of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series has been reached, Hockenheim marking the occasion. Although towards the top of the championship it seems relatively straight forward, As we turn our attention to the midfield, things are different.

Only 2 rounds remain in the Logitech G Pro Invitational Qualifying Series, all drivers aiming to be the one progressing through to the main series set to kick off in March.

This week Michael Angus of Fishy Motorsports finds himself sitting in 20th position after our most recent round at Hockenheim. The driver of the #205 Fishy Motorsports Mustang has seen a Consistent campaign to date, Most notably finding himself sitting on the bubble in each stage of qualifying so far. Leaving prequalifying as the final seeded driver in 45th, Michael has proven he has the ability to race forward. Securing 20th place results in both the Phillip Island & Hockenheim rounds.

Thanks for joining us Michael. To date you’ve shown great consistency across the opening two rounds, having pre qualified in 45th, are you surprised to see yourself 20th in the standings?

To be honest with you, yes and no. Initially I was going to be missing two of the four qualifying races due to work commitments, so in the back of my mind I was really approaching the qualifying series as a bit of a ‘just get out there and see what happens’. The two opening rounds I have jumped in on race day without putting down any laps prior and just tried to keep it clean, and surprised myself a little with the end results. In saying that, the depth of the field and the desire for so many people to make the series definitely adds an element of pressure, where mistakes can happen. I have had some luck go my way with a few others making errors, so keeping my nose clean has meant my results so far have probably exceeded my actual race pace. However, with two rounds to go which I am now available for, both at familiar tracks where the team have done a heap of running, the race pace should be there and I will be doing my best to finish inside the top 20. So far, the bubble is working and I am happy to ride it for as long as I can!

You have been a member at Fishy Motorsports for some time now, Have they played a role in how your season has progressed? If so, What do you think it is that makes Fishy Motorsports a vital part of your development?

To be honest with you, the people that make up Fishy Motorsports is what makes it a great place to go racing. I know it sounds like a cliché answer, but the guys really do work incredibly well together both on and off the track, and you can see that in the results both this season so far, and over the last 12-18 months. What Michael Whiting has built in a racing team is a network of guys that genuinely look out for each other, and celebrate the wins together just as much as lifting each other up after a loss. The names in the team like Whiting, Delaney, Dike, Freeman, Kirby, Warwick, McGuire, Coleman that feature in some of the higher ranked Supercar series we almost expect to get out there every race and be competitive and chase wins, but it’s the results we are now starting to see from the guys knocking on the door of those series like Munday, Simpson, Whitaker, Griffiths, Delaney Jnr, Thomas, Hollis that really is so cool to see. If you thought there was a lot of Fish in the field before, just give us another 12 months!

Currently in the final transfer position (20th) with 2 rounds remaining, how important is it to you to make it into the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series for 2023?

I would love to make the series, and it would really put a nice stamp on the progress in racing I have made over the last 12 months. A year ago I recall looking at some of the names featuring in the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series and thinking ‘how the hell do they do that’. To now be rubbing doors with them on a weekly basis is rewarding and all I have ever wanted to get out of sim racing. In saying that, if I happen to miss out, I will be the first one there supporting the Fishy boys that hopefully make the field and ensure we get a team car as high up the standings as possible. We embrace going in as the underdog, so anything is possible!

Finally Micheal, How have you enjoyed being a part of the inaugural Logitech G Pro Invitational Qualifying Series?

I have. The team have consistently spoken about the level of detail and effort that we as drivers can see has gone in to the series from a management side of things. I think what is being created up here will become the blueprint for Supercar series going forward, and I look forward to being involved in it in any capacity I can be.

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So far, the initial 40 drivers in the inaugural series have put on a great show as we pass the halfway mark of the championship. As we know though, only the top 20 get through. So for that one person in 21st, there will be heartbreak at being so close… yet so far. After each round we sit down and talk to that driver. This week, it’s SSR’s Wayne Bourke.

Wayne, you are our driver “On the bubble” in  21st. The top 20 get through and lock in to the 2023 series, have you been happy with how your championship has gone so far?

It’s been a frustrating season for me so far, felt like we’ve had good pace in our SSR cars just haven’t had the results in the 89 Smith & Son’s car to show for it.

Before the start of the series, what were your goals? What does success in this series mean for you?

I felt before the season that I could be a regular top 10 to top 5 driver and could snag a podium every now and then. I think finishing the championship in the top 10 in points after the start I’ve had would be successful.

You have been very fast at a number of rounds, most recently you were fighting for a podium at Spa before it all went wrong. What will it take for you to get into the top 20?

I think with some consistent finishes I will be able to push into the top 20 in points.

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

Pretty important as with a short series like the qualifier you leave yourself open to being involved in trouble which could leave you entirely out of the next season.

And finally what are your thoughts on the series?

I think the series is great, being able to race the same people week in and out. The racing has been really fun with how hard the racing is and the level of competition has been super high.

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

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In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Luke Mitchinson has triumphed in the Pre-Qualifying phase of the 2024 Logitech G Supercar Pro Invitational Series, earning himself a coveted position in the Qualifying Series. 

With a commendable third-place finish in Pre-Qualifying, Mitchinson has showcased his prowess against a field of formidable competitors, marking a significant milestone in his racing career.

Facing off against some of the most talented drivers in the community, Mitchinson's achievement underscores his unwavering dedication and commitment to the Pro Invitational Series. Once again representing the team Raceonoz, Mitchinson's journey to the Qualifying Series again in 2024 symbolizes the culmination of practice, strategic awareness, and sheer perseverance.

When asked about the statement his performance in Pre Qualifying has made and whether he is confident that he can continue the form into the Qualifying Series itslef Luke resopnded by saying; 

"I spent the summer break away from sim racing so coming back fresh for pre qualifying I wasn’t sure where my pace would be. Coming third overall with the quickest Phillip Island time was pretty cool even if some guys weren’t showing their full pace. Looking at last year in the pro series I felt like I never maximised a whole weekend from qualifying to race to strategy, there’s a lot more to it than just setting a fast time. Either way it’s a good confidence boost and makes me even more excited for the year."

The Pre-Qualifying phase of the 2024 Logitech G Supercar Pro Invitational Series proved to be a challenging test for all participants, with each contender vying for a chance to advance to the next stage of the competition. Against this backdrop of intense competition, Mitchinson's stellar performance in securing third position highlights his skill and exceptional competitive spirit.

For Mitchinson, the road to the Qualifying Series represents a continuation of his quest for excellence in the world of professional Sim Racing. Having finished 32nd in the 2023 series and 30th in 2022, Mitchinson's steady progression underscores his unwavering commitment to continual improvement and mastery of his craft.

"The competition keeps me coming back, the series is so hotly contested that you need to really give it everything for a good result. I’ve enjoyed the challenge of trying to move up the order and take it to the bigger teams."

With the Qualifying Series looming on the horizon, Mitchinson remains focused on the task at hand, fully aware of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Unfortunately fellow Raceonoz team mate Ben Smith narrowly missed the top 45 cutoff position so Luke will go it alone throughout the qualifying series but it does open up a potnetially strong co-driver opportunity come the Endurance Cup later in the year. 

"The guys are looking good for the year, they’re all very experienced in the supercar and I’d confidently hand the car over to any of them for an enduro. We’ve all driven plenty of laps around these tracks so once you’ve done a few sighter laps you’re right on the pace."

As Luke prepares to embark on the next leg of his racing journey, anticipation runs high among fans and enthusiasts eager to witness the unfolding drama and excitement of the Qualifying Series. Stay tuned to the Pro Invitational website and social media channels for all the details about how you can tune on and watch along when Round 1 gets underway on January 31st at Road Atlanta.

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In the AFL, the father/son draft rule mirrors the legacy of players like Josh Daicos, automatically drafted by the team their father played over 100 games for. Contrasting this, the Logitech G Pro Invitational series lacks such a rule. Yet, after rigorous testing, we proudly present our unique father-son combination, Blake Delaney and Tye Delaney, revving up in the Pro Qualifying Series.

Embarking on this new adventure, the duo from Fishy Motorsports, avid followers of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series, have decided to take the plunge this year. Despite their busy schedules, we managed to carve out time to delve into their perspectives on family ties, the series, and their expectations.

First of all, thanks for giving us the time to have this chat, must be an exciting time ahead for you both in the next few weeks.

Blake: absolutely, we both are keen for the next stage and equally happy to be running together in the qualifying series. Last years was disappointing, being taken out of a couple of races, so hopefully we can make a mends this year.

Tye: yeah, it’s a super exiting time for me personally but I’m also very nervous for the weeks to come.

To you Blake, how good is it having your son being able to not only race alongside you, but also be competitive?

Blake: This is the best part about racing for me now. I get to race with an awesome bunch of Fishy teammates and in the same team alongside my son is terrific. To be honest he is almost quicker now, so it is only a matter of time until he is consistently faster, which I and eagerly looking forward to seeing. 

Blake Delaney in action aboard his Fishy Motorsports Commodore

With Tye being fairly young, how much improvement is there still to come?

Blake: Good question, we are just happy he is having fun and enjoying racing. He has high hopes and aspirations of making Supercars. The practice he has been putting in over the last few months has been huge and has seen him make the final qualifiers for the Logitech Pro Series, which I wasn’t sure was going to happen back in November due the speed he had to find. Now seeing that, I would say a lot is left to come. The boys in the Team have been working with him at every chance they get. I travel a bit for work, but when I am away and watching the stream, there is always 2 or 3 of them in discord dedicating the time to helping him out in his races.

How many hours a week would you and Tye do testing together?

Blake: Almost every night we are on together and we love it. It really is the best bonding time spending it doing something we mutually love doing. But really, we spend a heap of time together in general.

And Tye, how much has your dad taught you?

Tye: Dad has helped me so much throughout my sim racing career but has especially helped me in the last 6 months with everything you can imagine in racing.

Your dad is pretty quick, winning a few Vets races, when do you think you will have his measure?

Tye: I think I have a lot to learn first. Dad’s strategy calls and his ability to fuel save are second to none so to beat him, I will not just have to be fast but smart while driving. He has been teaching me not just the basics of driving but also what I need to be thinking about while doing it.

With school about to kick off again, how does that affect your ability to get on the sim?

Tye: With school I’m sure it won’t be the most idle situation but I won’t let it affect my driving, it is my passion and I am very set on wanting to improve.

Eyes will be on the Father Son Duo to see who takes Bragging Rights in the Qualifying Series

We know Blake that with your work commitments you will miss round one, why though do you think it is so special to try and get into the Pro Invitational Series?

Blake: Racing against the best in the business is really why we do it. I am keen to turn around what happened in 2023 by making the series first but then not just be there to make the numbers up – I will be there to compete. Even though my pace is nowhere near the drivers at the front, I will be thinking my way through every race to try to get to the front or even snag a win.

And Tye, this really is a step up in the Australian Sim landscape, just four races to get you set for the year ahead, how do you think you will go?

Tye: No clue how it will turn out, but I will give it my all and go from there.

To both of you, what are your thoughts on the series so far, do you generally try and watch each round if you can?

Blake: It is the cream of the crop. I was there for most of the races last year either spotting or co-driving with Thomas Freeman in 2023 & Jamie Dike in 2022, in which we had some good finishes both years.

Tye: Logitech in my opinion is the peak of supercar sim racing and it’s always been the series everyone wants to try and make. Last year I was on the side lines watching and helping my teammates but hopefully this year I will be up there with them.

No doubt the whole team at Fishy Motorsports have been very supportive of you both, and there is a strong number of drivers from the team trying to get in to the 2024 series, how do you think the team as a whole is going?

Blake: It is truly a testament to the unwavering commitment and support of the entire team that we have a significant number of drivers vying to be part of the upcoming series. We ha a total of 7, with 3 team mates outside of us in the Qualifying Series, Michael Angus, David Kirby & and the Big Fish Michael Whiting. Thomas Freeman is already in obviously. 7 out of the 45 possible spots overall is a great effort for the team.

I think the team is in its strongest position it has been. Everyone gets along, we all love racing together and having a heap of fun on discord. Fishy Motorsports culture is the cornerstone of its excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement. The team's collective dedication to achieving success is evident in the strides we have made over the last year both on and off the track. The boys really do approach driver development (especially with Tye) with the upmost of importance and meticulous attention to detail (both in car and sim hardware) which sets us apart in my opinion. Naming anyone specifically would be wrong as everyone chips in to help and have fun every night. Always in one voice channel with nobody believing they are better than anyone else (no ego’s), but we still all want to win of course.

And finally, probably the most important question. What does Mrs. Delaney think of it all?

Blake: LOVES the quite time! Nah, she is a huge support to both of us.

Tye: She is very supportive of me.

Thanks for the chat, we really wish you both the best of luck in the Qualifying series and hope to see you on the grid in the Pro series..

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The 7th round of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series took center stage last Saturday at Sandown raceway for the first endurance race on the 2022 calendar. 

While SSR Boost Mobile’s Jarrad Filsell & Dayne Warren took the winning honours there was other performances that stood out, including the second place effort of Luke Rosella and Fawzan El-Nabi. 

For El-Nabi, This result sees a true return to form after a break from Sim Racing in the recent past. This being his first foray into the series, a podium on debut is nothing to shy away from. As previous SCOPS Bathurst 1000 winner alongside TTR’s Ross Rizzo in 2018, he sure will be ready to fire when we roll into Bathurst in little under 2 weeks time. 

For Luke Rosella, a tough start to his 2022 campaign has only proven to make him stronger as the season has progressed. A season that started with results including a 30th placing in round 2 at Winton, Luke has found some impressive form in more recent times.

His podium effort not only cements him as a force in the Logitech G pro invitational series, but it solidifies a wonderful bounce back in the championship, moving him well into contention in 6th place on 1059 points, a mere 23 points behind TTR’s Madison down in 5th. 

Will this Pairing be the benchmark at Bathurst? Can they deliver an endurance cup victory in 2022? Tune in to all the live coverage on the 22/23 of October to find out! 

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Robert Gibbs stellar performance at Phillip Island may of come as a shock to some but for the Evolution Racing Team driver it’s the result of hard work over the course of the off season.

Making his debut late last year in the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series endurance cup, Gibbs returns in 2023 with his sights set on driving full time. After a performance that saw the driver of the #2 ERT Mustang challenge the likes of James Scott at Phillip Island, Gibbs will definitely continue to be the one to watch in coming rounds.

Speaking post race Gibbs wasn’t overly surprised with his performance, stating he has put work into preparing for the qualifying series ahead.

“I wouldn't say I was surprised with my result in the end as I've been working pretty hard to make sure that I give myself the best opportunity to perform but I wouldnt say that I was expecting to be fighting for the win either”.

With expectations now high on the ERT driver, lots have questioned how he will stay on top of the competition and continue competing towards the front of the field come Hockenheim.

“For me, personally, the key to maintaining my form is plenty of practice, making sure im as prepared as i can be. Second thing is to make sure that i stay out of trouble during the race because as we saw in round 1 there were a handful of guys that were top 10 runners get caught up in accidents and finish in the 30's“.

For Robert, Joining the Evolution Racing Team has given him access to some of the top drivers the country has to offer. It’s clear by aligning this talented young driver with the experience of the ERT setup, success will surely follow.

“Joining ERT has been massive for my improvement, having half a dozen teammates worth of data to compare against has really helped me become not just faster but more consistent“

Following on from Phillip Island we’re now set to see Supercars on track at Hockenheim, Asked about preparations leading into the event, Gibbs explained what the lead up has consisted of in between rounds.

"I feel like my preparation for Hockenheim has been pretty good considering it doesn't really suit my driving style. As a team I think we're going to really up the ante for round 2 and make sure we come prepared“.

Round 2 is fast approaching for the Logitech G Pro Invitational qualifying series, Can Robert Gibbs continue his recent form? Tune in on the 8th of February to find out!

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Evolution Racing Team driver Robert Gibbs features on the bubble heading into the penultimate round of the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup round at Road America on the 25th of October.

A season of many highs and lows, Gibbs will look make the most of the final 2 rounds of 2023 with solid results to secure his automatic transfer spot for the 2024 season.

We sat down for a chat with Robert Gibbs as he prepares for Road America in little under a weeks time.

R: Robert, it’s been a baptism of fire for you in the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup. How have you found your season to date to be & have you performed as you’ve expected?

RG: My season so far has been very much an up and down one, started the season very poorly in the first 2 rounds not cracking into the top 20 at all. Have turned it around somewhat from Spa onwards, getting into the top 20 a couple of times and top 10 at Watkins which is where i think my true pace would put me. I think when i've stayed out of trouble my results have been in the ball park of what i was expecting going into the season but getting caught up in other people's mess has cost me quite a bit.

R: This season, you’ve shown pace capable of placing you at the front of the field on many occasions. How do you think you need to go about your racing to achieve consistency each and every week, enabling you to transition into a championship contender in the future?

RG: My biggest issue this season has been my lack of form in qualifying, constantly putting myself further back than i should be. This is probably then leading to pushing a bit too hard in certain moments and making mistakes. If i can get my head screwed on properly for qualifying and put myself up the front from the get-go, then the race results should follow, evidence being my results at Watkins Glen.

R: Evolution Racing Team have proven to be a major player in your development in the Supercars arena. Since your arrival to the team in 2022, it’s been clear that you have improved leaps and bounds in this discipline of racing. How have they contributed to your success, and why do you think they are so good at developing and improving drivers like yourself?

RG: Joining ERT has turned out to be a really great decision. The support from the team has been second to none since joining and the caliber of drivers that im now associated with is immensely talented. i think this just by itself is a large part as to why so many good drivers come out of ERT. Being able to compare data and setups with some of the fastest guys in supercars has been another huge aspect as to my own improvement as it gives you a completely different viewpoint as to what you might be doing right or wrong, and i think that for someone like myself, who is only 12 months or so into the supercars arena, this has been key.

R: Lastly, as you find yourself sitting on the bubble heading into the penultimate round at Road America, does it change how you approach the final 2 races?

RG: For me personally the approach doesn't change from the rest of the season. I'm still aiming to be as far up the front as possible and my position in the standings should then take care of itself. As always the goal is to win, which was my goal from the start of the season, but i think at this stage i would be happy with a couple of top 10's to finish the year. The remaining tracks are both ones that i enjoy and do well at so i see this as good opportunity to end the season on a high.

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Jordan Ross’s nightmare has continued in the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup, a wheel failure leading to a DNS at Spa-Francorchamps for round 3 of the championship.

Already plagued by a difficult round at the season opening Turn In Race Apparel Sebring Sprint, drama struck the driver of the #143 Synergy Sim Racing Mustang again moments before qualifying for Spa-Francorchamps.

After experiencing slight difficulties pre event, Ross would experience a complete wheel failure in the 60 minute practice session leading into qualifying. Unable to fix the issue, Ross would be forced to withdraw from the event, making an already difficult season even tougher.

4 penalty’s plagued the first round of the season for Ross, crossing the line in a dismal 36th position. It looked like fortunes turned around though for Phillip Island, banking solid points along with a top ten finish to boot. Leaving Spa-Francorchamps, Jordan has found himself in difficult situation through no major fault of his own, sitting a lowly 33rd in the standings with an average finish of 18.3 over the 3 races he’s been able to contest.

As we edge closer to the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup Road America sprint, Ross will be hungry to turn his season around & look to return to the form that he’s been able to produce in recent years.

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Andrew Gilliam delivered at Belle Isle last Wednesday night, bringing home his first victory in his Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup career.

Andrew Gilliam’s first win firmly cements him as a championship contender as we roll into endurance season in the coming month, with Sandown set to be run on the 1st of September.

Now we raise the question. Should drivers fear Andrew Gilliam in the back half of 2023?

2022 saw Gilliam join the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup ahead of the inaugural series. Mostly running in the back half of the top ten, Gilliam put together a consistent campaign. He finished the year with a strong result at the season finale at Phillip Island with a 4th place, securing 7th in the series standings.

In 2023, Gilliam has returned to the series with the attacking flair we’ve seen from him in his sim racing career. So far across 8 races in 2023, Gilliam has amassed 5 top 5 finishes, including a podium at Phillip Island during the second round of the season. His form became clear when Gilliam shot into championship contention at Red Bull Ring during Round 6, leading multiple laps, staying in the battle for the win for the majority of the race. This performance left a lot of people believing Gilliam was now announcing himself as a championship threat in 2023, further backed up by his performance at Belle Isle last Wednesday where he scored victory.

Gilliam now finds himself fourth in the 2023 standings, 92 points away from points leader James Scott. With plenty of points still up for grabs, Gilliam will look to continue his consistent run in the endurance season to close the deficit.

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Richie Stanaway entered the series at Red Bull Ring for round three of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Supercar Series, and he made an immediate impact. 

Featuring near the front in all practice sessions, and close to netting a top 10 result on debut, you got the feeling Stanaway was going to have to be reckoned with.

When we got to Monza however, Richie was buried in the field, unable to make any real impact on the race. As a single car entry for SimBlacks, the New Zealander failed to nail his setup and qualifying position, ultimately relegating him to fighting in the mid pack all night. 

Finishing 23rd, over a minute off the lead will motivate Richie, and the 2017 Sandown 500 winner will be working hard to vault back up the field and make a real impact in the coming races.

Richie will be back, he is one of the most credentialed drivers in the series. Watch out for Richie when the series resumes August 31st from Belgium.

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As we approach the mid-way mark of the 2024 Logitech Pro Invitational Series, driver movements have continued to raise eyebrows mid-season.

Griffin Gardiner has officially left 9ine 5ive simsports and is tipped to turn up at Lobs Esport, confirmation expected prior to next weeks Road America round of the series.

Gardiners exit from 9ine 5ive has left a huge hole as team leader on track, almost immediately filled by returning Ric Kuznetsov. Ric left 9ine 5ive only six months ago for Altus, who have subsequently folded, and at that time Ric turned up at the fast-expanding Vermillion Motorsports, only for this all to go full circle with Ric now confirmed to fill the void at 9ine 5ive left by Gardiners exit.

Unconfirmed reports have a bombshell announcement imminent, with Lobs Esports reportedly signing Andrew Gilliam, expected to be confirmed alongside Gardiner at a bolstered Lobs Esports.

This leaves Vermillion Motorsport without its two star drivers it signed only a matter of weeks ago, and who secured the team's first pro series podium.

Ric Kuznetsov will leave Vermillion and return to 9ine 5ive Sim Sports for Road America

Lobs Esports already have a formidable roster, with Filsell, Rudd, Rosella and Scott. Adding Gardiner and Gilliam to this team will fill four of the top 5 championship positions as we stand after round 5.

Trans Tasman Racing have enjoyed depth of front-running talent in recent years, with other teams unable to match the sheer numbers of front-running cars in the mix for podiums and race wins, this would certainly change the dynamic at the front of the field and give Lobs the upper hand.

If this is true, how will this play out? Who will have to play support? We have seen over the years, TTR have had a policy where all drivers are free to race, which has worked for and against them at times. What will the policy be at Lobs?

It has certainly been an interesting couple of weeks, let’s see what team and liveries everyone turns up in for Road America next week!

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Ethan Grigg Gault is definitely one of the best in the series on his day. Showing time and time again over the years, EGG is the complete package.

In recent times though, Ethan has fell short of where we all know Ethan can be! But at Monza, a late race battle with some of the hardest chargers on the grid showed us once again what Ethan is capable of. A podium for his troubles is the perfect way for himself and ERT to springboard off.

You get that feeling that Ethan is building strength as the rounds go on, each round an improvement on the last. EGG and ERT are building together into genuine race winning contenders. We spoke to Ethan, and it was great to hear him analyse his race and talk enthusiastically about his racing, and that’s why we’re sure you will see more of this from him as the season rolls on.

“We knew that coming into Monza would be a very setup sensitive circuit, I put a fair bit of effort into the straight-line speed and bump damping while trying to maintain decent tyre life from the expected hot temperatures, so trying to balance low wing with tyre life was quite tricky. We probably ended up on the conservative end of the scale to be honest, might have to go more aggressive on setup next round to find those few more tenths. The SSR boost cars seemed very fast down the straight but lacked through the second sector, and TTR's car was excellent in corners and braking but just lacked a little top speed. Our car seemed to fall right in the middle so it made the end race battle with Kostecki and Warren quite exciting”.

Were excited to see what Ethan can produce for the rest of the year, Tune in on August 31st for the next instalment of the 2022 Logitech G Pro Invitational Supercar Series.

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Go Leigh, if you know, you know! Leigh has being a staple of the AUS/NZ Supercar community for what seems like ever. A long time member of Trans Tasman Racing, leigh is no stranger at competing at the top level of Supercar competition. It is therefor no surprise that Leigh is one of the first invited drivers to the inaugural season of the Logitech G Pro Invitational Supercars Series.

What you may not know is that Leigh is also the official series photographer. All of the photos you see in our media are the work of Leigh, and we think that he is one of the best, if not the best operators when it comes to iRacing photography.

We had a chat with Leigh about his business and also how he is travelling so far this season in the drivers seat.

Leigh, firstly, tell us a bit about Leigh Ellis Design, how it started and where it's going? 

Hi Guys, thanks for having me. It all kind of started when I was taking real photos for Vic State Racer Magazine a few years ago. I got a bunch of access at Sandown, Winton and Phillip Island and it stemmed my love of photography. From there it moved into Sim Racing. I have always loved photoshop and creating artwork and with my love of motorsport photography it was simple to push into the Sim Racing realm. I've been loving the support from the team at Logitech G Pro Invitational but as well as from ERT and of course TTR.

We partnered with Brad Ryan and have put out some prints as well, they came out amazing and such a good addition to the sim room.  

Your photos for the series have been magnificent, they tell a bit of a story about each race. How you capture the important points in the race paints a picture about what has taken place, is that something you set out to do?  

Yeah that's exactly right, its normally hard for me to remember the details of a race so I go back and find the key points, either through the broadcast or in the TTR Canadian debrief. I want to create action and not just have the generic 3/4 front shot. Mostly I aim for the race start and any action, as well as a good cross section of the field. Not just TTR and SSR cars!    

Your series hasn’t gone to plan so far, we remember driving with no sound at Sebring. At the time, no one could figure out how you did it. But you sit 29th in the points, not the season you would have wanted and in the danger zone of having to qualify for next year. Tell us a bit about your season to date? 

Look, it hasn’t been ideal has it? I think Qualifying has been my downfall, when you qual down the order you're generally in the rage cage once you start. Some take outs when you're in a decent spot and just some silly mistakes doesn't make for a good championship position. Overall, with work and family life it's been hard to fully commit like I once was able to, but that's the life balance we all play. 

You have been a long-time member of TTR, a fantastic team with great history, every trophy in the cabinet and a long list of top drivers, what sort of privilege has it been to drive in a team like that? 

Its been amazing! I still remember when Madison sent me a message telling me I was successful in joining with the Trans Tasman Racing Rising Stars, on New Years Eve 2012 at about 10pm. To be involved with one of the best teams in Australia is a huge privilege that I don't take for granted! Having that friendship and always pushing each other to be #1 is the best feeling. I've made some close friends from this team.  

We head into the enduros, as you know anything can happen, what does success in the enduros look like for Leigh Ellis? 

Normally enduro season doesn't go the way we like it to in TTR so I'm hoping for something a bit more rewarding. First time driving with Joe Mugford and I'm hoping we can squeeze out a Top 10. Anything to bag me more points and a decent race!  

Lastly, what is your favourite photo from the series so far this season and what is the story behind it?  

It so hard to pick just one, but the one that really springs to mind is this from Hockenheim, With Brodie stalling and the train of TTR cars right behind him he was lucky to not get hit! You see Brady pulling out just in time! I'm sure there's many more to come though! 
 

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Thomas Freeman has continued his move forward in the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup after a 14th place finish at Watkins Glen moved the Fishy Motorsports driver into the top 20 of the 2023 championship on Wednesday night.

Freeman’s 2023 season to date has has seen the Fishy Motorsports driver collect consistent results with a best result of 21st position at the season opening Turn In Race Apparel Sebring Sprint.

Although 23rd in qualifying at Watkins Glen didn’t look spectacular, being just a mere .306 of a second away from Jarrad Filsell’s qualifying time of 1;07.250 puts into perspective how close performance was throughout the 41 car strong field.

Freeman took advantage of early incidents, along with making great strategy calls to promote himself up through the field. Late race drama with Wayne Bourke of Synergy Sim Racing almost put an end to Freeman’s day, but the Driver of the Fishy Motorsports machine got his elbows out to bring home a great result for himself & his team.

Not only does 14th place at Watkins Glen firmly cement Freeman into a transfer spot in the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup, More importantly, this turn of form has come at a critical point of the championship, as we prepare more towards the back half the the 2023 Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup.

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2023 has seen a number of fresh faced drivers enter the Motorsport Australia Logitech G Pro Invitational Cup, today we sit down to look at our top rookies after the first 3 rounds.

1. James Scott

Team: Synergy Sim Racing
Best Result: 1st
Championship position: 1st

2. Dylan O’Shea

Team: 9ine 5ive Simsport
Best Result: 11th
Championship Position: 11th

3. Brian Borg

Team: 9ine 5ive Simsport
Best Finish : 16th
Championship Position: 15th

4. Adam Briggs

Team: Synergy Sim Racing
Best Finish: 14th
Championship Position: 17th

5. Jobe Stewart

Team: Pursuit Sim Racing
Best Finish: 6th
Championship Position: 19th

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Tyson Broad may not be a household name within the Supercars community but a strong opening to his Logitech G Pro invitational series qualifying campaign has caught the eye of a number of competitors.

The 21 year old Drop Bear Motorsports driver from Perth has made a splash posting a collective time strong enough to place well inside the top 45 during pre qualifying so far.

Spending some time with Tyson it’s become evident that he’s prepared to work hard to race at a high level. A relatively unknown driver in Supercars , Tyson has shown that he can run competitively already against strong competition within the Logitech G Pro Invitational series.

“The competition is around what I was expecting, the people who I thought would be up the sharp end are, so I’m quite pleased with my efforts to date“ - Tyson Broad.

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Logitech G Pro Invitational Qualifying Series driver Andrew Dyson has highlighted the importance of qualifying as we head to Sandown for the penultimate round of the championship.

Dyson who’s had a stellar season to date, Currently finds himself at the top of the standings after two rounds, a mere 12 points ahead of 9ine 5ive Simsports driver Dylan Rudd.

Impressive race pace has been the story of Dyson’s season so far, finding ways to advance through the field in both races at Phillip Island & Hockenheim. Most recently at Hockenheim, the driver of the DPR racing #41 Mustang found himself outside the top 10 in qualifying, Starting from 13th position. This was no problem for Dyson though, delivering a strategic masterclass along with strong race pace which saw him slice and dice his way through the field to a second consecutive podium and the points lead.

Things seem to be going in the right direction across the pond at DPR Racing, having found a competitive balance between its drivers that only will see the trajectory of this team on the way up.

Speaking with Dyson in preparation for the upcoming round at Sandown, it’s evident the team at DPR Racing have found it beneficial working alongside one another, attempting to unlock the pace we have seen from them in the recent past.

“We've been working together focusing on our 1 lap pace. If we can all qualify well, then the races, and the results we need to make the top 20 in points, will come to us.

With Chris in particular, we're trying to pass on small things that Dylan and myself have picked up through our experience to help him bolster his already capable arsenal. He has great pace and I can only see him improving his game all round”.

When referring to Sandown in general it’s clear Dyson and DPR have their eyes firmly set on perfecting qualifying, the 3.104 kilometre circuit providing a challenge to pass, qualifying well is half the job done.

“Its important to qualify well at Sandown. Passing is tough, and racing in the pack is tight and nose to tail in the slow stuff. I'll need to do a better job in qualifying than I have been so far. From there, I'd expect a high likelihood of safety cars, so making the right strategic calls and staying out of trouble at any restarts will be huge”.

Dyson’s season as a whole personally has been impressive, Although qualifying hasn’t been as strong as he would like, there’s plenty to be happy with. Leading the championship into the final two rounds provides Dyson and DPR with an opportunity to put their mark on the Logitech G Pro Invitational Series well before it begins, And make it known they are here to win. Winning the championship isn’t the priority for Dyson, but it definitely would fire a early warning shot to his competitors.

“There's a whole bunch of guys lining up to be that guy. For me, its not a priority, although if I can keep getting some nice finishes, then maybe I could give it a shake. I think generally I race better than I qualify. For the last two races, I've been able to stay out of the wheel to wheel stuff and focus on keeping it clean as well as pitting out into clear road. Phillip Worley has been a big help in that department for O'Shea and Ireland as well“.

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