Race, IMSA iRacing Pro Series, round 2, Laguna Seca (USA)
Best Porsche 911 RSR concludes spectacular online race in fifth
Güven gave a clear demonstration of his talent as a simulator driver during practice with fast laps. However, in the short 10-minute qualifying session, the online racer was hampered by heavy traffic while attempting a flying lap and had to take up the race from P13. Thanks to a systematic and cautious approach, Güven worked his way up the order and was at times running in fourth place with his Porsche 911 RSR. Ultimately, deteriorating tyres prevented him from pursuing his bid for a podium spot.
Works driver Laurens Vanthoor (Belgium) and Nick Tandy (Great Britain) were involved in several accidents during the 90-minute race and concluded the round on positions 23 and 25 respectively. The second-best Porsche driver in the field was the American Riley Dickinson, who scored 15th in the No. 53 Porsche 911 RSR entered by the Morespeed Team. Factory driver Patrick Long (USA), who streamed his race in the simulator live, took the flag in position 32.
Round three of the IMSA iRacing Pro Series will be contested on 30 April at the virtual Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (USA).
Comments on the race
Ayhancan Güven (Porsche 911 RSR #913): “That was an exciting and intense race, but I’d hoped to do better. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to secure a good grid spot due to the heavy traffic in qualifying. I managed to make my way up the field from position 13, but I could definitely have done more. I’m already looking forward to race three in two weeks. I’ll go all-out again and I’ve got my eye on the podium.”
Nick Tandy (Porsche 911 RSR #911): “It’s a shame because I’d worked out a good strategy. After the mandatory yellow phase midway through the race I wanted to attack with fresh tyres, but it was all for nothing because another competitor nudged me before the restart and my car ended up on its roof. Congratulations to Ayhancan on his strong performance.”
Laurens Vanthoor (Porsche 911 RSR #912): “I’d done some intensive preparation work but it was of little use. I didn’t even get a clean qualifying run, so I had to start far down the field. After just two laps of the race, someone hit the rear of my car, and that was the end of my chances. Sim racing takes a lot of practice and training. I still have some catching up to do.”
Result of Porsche competitors
5. Ayhancan Güven (TR), Porsche 911 RSR #913, 66 laps
15. Riley Dickinson (USA), Porsche 911 RSR #53, 66 laps
23. Laurens Vanthoor (B), Porsche 911 RSR #912, 65 laps
25. Nick Tandy (GB), Porsche 911 RSR #911, 64 laps
26. Lars Kern (D), Porsche 911 RSR #9, 64 laps
32. Patrick Long (USA), Porsche 911 RSR #45, 63 laps
33. Cody Ware (USA), Porsche 911 RSR #51, 63 laps
45. Ryan Hardwick (USA), Porsche 911 RSR #16, 42 laps
