Motorsport Arena Oschersleben hosted the opening round of the Abbruzi GT4 Series. The grid was the largest we have seen since the inception of the TSRC iRacing leagues, promising the most challenging season to date.

Qualifying was a frantic affair, with the tight and unforgiving track making it difficult for drivers to find space to set a good lap time. After 15 crucial minutes, Richard Simnor and David Long secured pole positions in the Pro and Am classes, respectively.

The race start was equally dramatic, but the majority of the field managed to make it through the first section with only minor paint trading. However, by the end of the first lap, Andrew Pike had an unfortunate tangle with Ron Maynard, compounding his frustration after a disappointing qualifying session.

As the race progressed, both Simnor and Long appeared to dominate their respective classes, though it wasn’t all smooth sailing. True to TSRC tradition, the pit stop cycle added some excitement. After his stop, David Long collided with Mathew Cheverton, who had just rejoined the track. Meanwhile, in the Pro class, the top five drivers—Simnor, Jamie Nuttall, Mike Pollard, Felix Smoggi, and Hayden Miller—battled closely. Jamie opted for a long stint before pitting but made a crucial error, speeding into pit lane and earning a stop-and-hold penalty, which dropped him to the back of the field.

As the chequered flag waved, Richard Simnor took a commanding overall class victory, leading from start to finish. In the Am class, Bart Raven claimed the win, staying out of trouble and capitalising on the misfortunes of David Long and Mathew Cheverton. A standout performance from Felix Smoggi, who gained six positions to secure second place overall on a track notoriously difficult for overtaking, earned him Driver of the Day.

The championship now heads to Hockenheimring for round two, where the track’s numerous overtaking opportunities are expected to deliver even more action. Tune in to our YouTube channel at 8 pm BST to catch the next race and see how the championship unfolds!