In an interesting qualifying session, It would be Dylan O’Shea setting the pace early, posting a 1:37.982 with seasoned veteran Josh Muggleton close behind on a 1:38.009. But ultimately it would be youngest competitor Rehan Liyanage taking his first pole position of the series by sessions end. The Pursuit Sim Racing young gun setting the time sheets alight with a staggering 1:37.824 securing pole by only .060 over Synergy Sim Racing stalwart Damien Johnstone. A big moment for Liyanage, cementing his place as a true force amongst the qualifying series contingents.

Robert Gibbs would stay true to form in qualifying, Placing a 1:37.961 to secure 3rd on the grid. Dylan O’Shea would line up 4th with Dylan Rudd of 9ine 5ive SimSports rounding out the top five. Impressive performances from the likes of Sebastian Varndell & Chris Ireland would also see them line up inside the top ten for the first time this season.

Qualifying didn’t go without controversy though with teammates Adam Briggs and Kenneth Latter from Synergy Sim Racing colliding at the exit of turn seven in the final 15 minutes of qualifying. Both cars yet to set a competitive lap time, Briggs & Latter would both be forced to start from the rear of the grid in positions 39 & 40. To add insult to injury, Briggs would be slapped with a pit lane drive through penalty to be served under racing conditions as a result of the incident.

Liyanage would convert the start to lead the field into turn one, followed by Robert Gibbs & Dylan O’Shea. Front row starter Damien Johnstone had a troubled start to the race, unable to convert from the front row of the grid. Difficulty getting away saw the driver of the Synergy Sim Racing #033 commodore get tangled up at turn one with Trans Tasman Racing’s Josh Muggleton. Damien’s day would go from bad to worse receiving a drive through penalty which would ultimately ruin his chance of any competitive result.

It didn’t take long for the action to begin, Brett Loxton & Bailey Fridd being being the first drivers caught up in a tangle at the turn 5 hairpin.

Meanwhile at the front of the field, Liyanage would control the pack for the opening lap before relinquishing control to Robert Gibbs through the Parabolika on lap 2. As drivers settled into a early Rhythm Gibbs would continue to lead with Liyanage close in tow, Rudd, O’Shea and Rattew would make up the top five.

Early movers saw the likes of Kurt Stenberg climb his way up the standings, gaining 7 positions in the opening six laps of the race to sit just outside the top ten. A welcome start to the race for Stenberg, looking to make up for misfortunes that took place during the opening round at Phillip Island.

The pack would remain relatively line astern for the laps that followed until Andrew Dyson dived to the lane at the conclusion of lap 9 to be the first of the lead competitors to take one of their compulsory pit stops. Many of the top competitors made the decision not to react, opting to continue setting the pace from the front of the field. Dyson’s DPR teammate Dylan O’Shea would eventually be the next to follow suit pitting at the conclusion of lap 12, this setting off the beginning of the opening pit stop cycle. Rudd, Liyanage & Rattew would make their first journey to the lane at the conclusion of lap 13 leaving Robert Gibbs out front controlling the field. Gibbs would box entering lap 16, A fuelling mishap causing the ERT driver to over fuel ultimately taking him out of contention for the race win. Gibbs would re join 14th behind Bradley Rattew and look to salvage a result.

As the first round of stops came to a close, Pole sitter Liyanage would take control of the race leading by 5.2 seconds after a short fill saw him re gain his original starting place. O’Shea would comfortably sit second, followed by Rudd & Dyson. DPR’s Dyson was a clear winner after the opening round of stops, climbing his way into a competitive 4th place.

Brian Borg & Hayden Veld would provide a wonderful spectacle over the mid point of the race, A brilliant door to door battle between the two resulting in Hayden eventually coming out on top on lap 27. Other battle packs featured inside the top ten, The battle between Christopher Island, Ric Kuznetsov, Kurt Stenberg & Bradley Rattew over 7th providing much needed entertainment during the long period of green flag running.

Dylan Rudd Would be the first of the front Running competitors to pit on lap 29, A decision that would prove to pay off late in the race. Other drivers would soon follow, with all the front running cars completing their compulsory pit stops by the conclusion of lap 35.

As the field settled into its effective order in the closing laps It was clear it would be a two horse race at the pointy end of the field. Dylan Rudd took the effective lead ahead of Rehan Liyanage in the dying stages, only half a second separating the two heading into the final laps.

As the white flagged waved on lap 44 we were treated to the best battle of the season to date, both Rudd & Liyanage going toe to toe for the race victory. After spending the entire lap side by side trading blows It would come down to the final three corners. Exiting the stadium section side by side for the final time neither driver was willing to give an inch, resulting is Rehan finding the grass on entry and receiving a slow down penalty. Dylan Rudd would claim the victory, his first of the season, followed by Andrew Dyson in 2nd & pole sitter Rehan Liyanage rounding out the podium for Hockenheim. The remainder of the top 5 consisted of Dylan O’Shea & Ric Kuznetsov followed by Robert Gibbs, Shawn McNamara, Sebastian Varndell, Josh Muggleton & Thomas Hinns rounding out the top 10.

At the conclusion of two rounds, Andrew Dyson takes control of the championship over Hockenheim race winner Dylan Rudd with Robert Gibbs, Rehan Liyanage & Ric Kuznetsov rounding out the top 5 in overall points.

With another fantastic round of racing complete in the Logitech G Pro Invitational qualifying series Attention will now turn to Sandown for the pinultimate round of the championship.