GT3 Podium in new FTR Sim 3D GT Series
On Saturday evening, Apex Tech Racing brought its two Porsche 911 GT3 Rs down to Brands Hatch for the first round of the FTR Sim 3D GT Series. With 3 different classes of cars (GT3s, GT4s and TCRs) and automated safety car periods, ATR’s debut in this 4 hour race was a rollercoaster ride.
For the #31 Apex Tech Racing Porsche (driven by James Ibram and Kamal Hashimee), a 7th place in a closely contested qualifying meant that James had his sights set on making some quick moves early on. Despite two safety cars in the first half an hour, James managed to shimmy the car up the order and onto the back of the top 3. However, misfortune would strike as contact with a fellow GT3 caused steering damage, causing the #31 to have an early pit stop to take repairs. Their bad luck was further compounded by a stewarding blunder that allowed them to be overtaken under the 4th safety car period of the evening, as well as being denied a wave around the safety car despite being the first lapped car in the safety car queue. Despite this James pushed on, only to receive a harsh stop and hold penalty for contact with a TCR, before the #31’s race was ended when the Sim 3D car of Yannis Aulbert forced James wide at T1, leaving the Porsche nowhere to go but into the tyres.
However, fortunes were better for the #33 pairing of Zach Plummer and Tom Male, who began the race in a promising position, firmly ‘best of the rest’ after the lightning quick qualifying laps of Sean Campbell and James Armstrong, for RSR Esports and Sim 3D respectively. Despite picking up some damage and falling to 7th within the first hour, Zach was able to keep the 911 GT3 R on the heels of the top 5 demonstrating his consistently quick pace while negotiating the traffic around the narrow track. With some bold strategic calls during mid race safety car periods, it meant that once Tom had settled into the race - having jumped into the car at about the half way mark - the Apex Tech Racing #33 car was leading the race! Despite pushing the car to the limit, the worn out tyres of the #33 were no match for the fresh rubber and raw pace of the RSR Esports Porsche 911 GT3 R, who swiftly caught and dispatched Tom, to take back the lead of the race. From there, it was a case of pushing for the last 40 minutes to keep the gradually closing Sim 3D BMW M4 GT3 of Yannis Aulbert off the gearbox of Tom’s 911 GT3 R. Unfortunately, a combination of the rapidly wearing tyres and time loss incurred from trying to pass lapped cars meant that with 15 minutes left, the BMW was glued to the back of the Porsche’s screaming flat-6 engine. As the final round of pit stops played out with just 10 minutes to go, Aulbert seized the opportunity to pit early, undercutting the #33 and emerging half a second in front of the now struggling Porsche. A late charge was hampered by the now almost bald tyres on the Porsche, meaning Zach and Tom crossed the line after a chaotic 4 hours in 3rd place. Slightly frustrating given how close 2nd place was, but a strong start to the season for sure!
The next round will have Apex Tech Racing hopping across the pond to Montreal, Canada for the 4 Hours of Montreal on the 14th May. With everything still to play for, this technical track could spring a few surprises, and we hope to be back on the podium again in 2 weeks time!
