The sixth round of the 2024 VSCA SportsCar Championship, held at the storied Watkins Glen International circuit, delivered a thrilling spectacle on Saturday. The 6 Hours of the Glen, part of both the main championship and the Endurance Cup, witnessed an incredible display of skill, strategy, and resilience, culminating in a dramatic finish that saw the #86 GSE Racing eSports Dallara P217 emerge victorious. The race was marked by intense battles, multiple lead changes, and significant incidents that reshaped the championship landscape.
Dramatic Multi-Car Accident in the Esses
From the drop of the green flag, the race was a roller-coaster of action and strategy. Pole-sitter Christian Campregher in the #46 Rising Panda Racing Dallara P217 had set the pace with a blistering lap of 1:31.824. However, the race's dynamic nature was evident early on, as three full-course yellows added to the tension and strategy of the teams.
The first full-course yellow was triggered just 31 minutes into the race, with the restart occurring 20 minutes later. This set the stage for a massive multi-car collision right after the restart, the largest in VSCA history. The crash involved 24 cars, including significant contenders like the #19 Trading Paints Racing GTP and the #14 Fischer Motorsport LMP2, dramatically altering the race dynamics.
Lead Changes and Strategic Plays
Despite the disruptions, the #86 GSE Racing eSports Dallara P217, piloted by Luca Harmening, Christopher Seftel, and Dennis Denicio, managed to navigate through the chaos. The team led the most laps (89) and showcased impeccable teamwork and strategy. The race saw an impressive 17 lead changes in the LMP2 class, reflecting the high level of competition and tactical maneuvers.
The #321 Tri-State Racing Dallara P217, driven by Christian G Sherrard and Garret Spenst, also delivered a standout performance. Starting from eighth on the grid, they steadily climbed the ranks, ultimately securing a well-earned second place, just 18.083 seconds behind the leaders after a dramatic post-race penalty reshuffled the results.
Rising Panda hit with penalty as GSE Racing eSports celebrates win
The #46 Rising Panda Racing Dallara, despite starting from pole and displaying strong pace, was hit with a 30-second post-race penalty for an incident in the final minutes of the race involving the #321 Tri-State Racing LMP2 car. This penalty voided a fantastic photo finish but also dropped them to third place in the official results. For Rising Panda Racing, this marked the second consecutive race where post-race penalties severely impacted their results, adding to their championship challenges.
For GSE Racing eSports meanwhile, it was comforting to know they beat their strongest opponents on the track, so their first LMP2 class win did not come with the aid of a penalty to the opposition. It was the team's first-ever win in LMP2 class competition, after their team-mates in GT PRO won at Long Beach earlier this year.
Luca Harmening of the winning GSE Racing eSports team reflected on the race's intensity, saying, "Starting from P3 was crucial. It allowed us to stay out of the big collisions. It was nerve-wracking at the end, but I'm thrilled with our victory."
Other noteable results
The top ten finishers also included the #123 Tri-State Racing in fourth, #11 Vision 1 Motorsports in sixth, and the #14 Fischer Motorsport, which, despite their early incident, managed to secure seventh place. Rounding out the top ten were the #91 Vice Motorsport in eighth, the #621 FRS SimSports in ninth, and the #048 SCOWRS Esses Racing in tenth.
Championship Shake-up
The 6 Hours of the Glen also brought significant changes in the championship standings. The #18 Gowin Racing Dallara P217, despite a major crash early in the race, managed to repair their car and finish in fifth place, maintaining their lead in the LMP2 SportsCar Championship with 2481 points. The #86 GSE Racing eSports team’s victory propelled them to third in the standings, decreasing the gap with the top contenders down to 262 points.
Looking Ahead: Road America up next
As the teams prepare for the next round, the JRT Summer Sprint at Road America, the championship race remains wide open. The upcoming race on June 29, 2024, promises another dose of high-octane action, with the event being broadcast live on GreenFlag TV. Fans and teams alike are eager to see how the championship battles will evolve, especially with the added drama and intensity of endurance racing. Will the championship leaders #18 Gowin Racing bounce back and hold the competition at bay? Or can Rising Panda Racing and GSE Racing eSports close the gap further?
The 6 Hours of the Glen has set a high bar for excitement and competition, highlighting the unpredictability and thrill that is characteristic of the VSCA SportsCar Championship. With each race, the stakes get higher, and the drive for the championship intensifies, promising a gripping conclusion to the 2024 season after the summer break from July through August, following Road America.
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