There are only a few racetracks in the world as famous - and infamous - as the Nürburgring Nordschleife. 73 turns, elevation changing up to 300 metres, and each section more challenging than the last one. Hidden in the picturesque Eifel region, this track really has made a name for itself. Time and again, the "Green Hell" attracts racers and motorsport fans from all over the world, including the 35 sim racers in the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup 2022.
Last Saturday they gathered at the virtual Nürburgring for the eighth race of the season. As always, in addition to the sprint and main races, the All-Star race was on the agenda too. The track layout used this weekend combined the Grand Prix circuit and the Nordschleife. This combination, known from 24-hour races, demanded everything from the participants right from the start.
Job wins the sprint
Diogo C. Pinto (Team Redline), who was the fastest in qualifying, started the sprint race from pole position. Over three laps around the 25.94km circuit, he managed to get ahead, but increasingly lost pace due to a damaged front wing.
Sebastian Job, who had been hard on the Portuguese driver's heels throughout the race, took advantage of the situation and overtook the lagging pole-setter. Job sealed his victory, with second place going to Pinto and third to Team SDK Gaming's Alejandro Sánchez from Spain.
Main race victory for Collins
Job, who just celebrated his sprint victory, was involved in a collision shortly after the start and had to retire his car.
This time, Pinto's teammate Maximilian Benecke started from pole. However, the German was unable to hold his position for long, as both Australian Dayne Warren (Coanda) and British Kevin Ellis Jr. (Apex Racing Team) used their driving skills in the sections "Döttinger Höhe" and "Kesselchen" to overtake, assisted by slipstream. Unfortunately, the two touched each other a little later and spun out together. VRS pilot Charlie Collins used the opportunity. In the end, he entered the start-finish straight ahead of everyone else and secured victory in the main race – just 0.128 seconds ahead of Benecke.
Pinto’s third-place finish also means valuable championship points for him. After eight out of ten races, he now continues to lead the overall standings ahead of Kevin Ellis Jr. and Sebastian Job.
Tyson Meier and Marco Bischoff win All-Star races
As has now become tradition, the race day was opened by the All-Stars. They went on a hunt for points in the sprint and main races with their virtual Porsche 911 GT3 R. Casey Kirwan, who led the sprint from pole, pulled away from his pursuers on the first lap with a three-second lead. After a slip by Kirwan at the end of the second lap, two other racers then fought for first place: Tyson "Quirkitized" Meier from the USA and German Marco "MabixTV" Bischoff. Meier turned out to be the winner of this head-to-head duel, with second place going to Bischoff, followed by Kirwan.
Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan, who was out of the sprint after a spin, started from pole position with hopes for a better result. Unfortunately, he had no luck this time either and lost all chances for a top result with another slip. Once again, the trio Meier, Kirwan and Bischoff formed the leading group. After several changes of position and slipstream duels, the three got into an exciting showdown shortly before the end. Kirwan and Meier overtook Bischoff, but clashed in the braking zone on the "Döttinger Höhe", spinning off the track. Bischoff was just able to avoid crashing into them and secured the victory. Kirwan crossed the finish line in second place ahead of Meier who, nonetheless, extended his lead in the All-Star standings with this result.
Next stop: The Legend Le Mans
On May 21, 2022, the 35 participants will head to the legendary Circuit des 24 Heures in Le Mans for the ninth race of the TAG Heuer Porsche Esports Supercup 2022. Long straights and challenging turn combinations provide the perfect conditions for an exciting racing experience - for drivers and spectators alike.
The All-Stars live stream begins at around 7:30 p.m. (CEST) with qualifying. Around 9:15 p.m., the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup will continue the racing action. As always, you can watch it on the Porsche channels on
YouTube and
Twitch.
