GT

Please select your country / region

Close Window
IE
TopLive ReportsArchives

Back to the List

MANUFACTURER SERIES
Back-to-Back Victories for derek737_DK_ as Manufacturer Series Online Phase Draws to a Close at Interlagos
12/09/2018

The 21-lap race at the Autodromo de Interlagos presented the Top 24 EMEA Superstars with their final opportunity to pick up bonus points in the 2018 FIA Gran Turismo Manufacturer Series. As only three drivers are selected for each marque to head to the October finals, it was a vitally important race for those in Citroën, Nissan and Mercedes machines.

At just over 2.5 miles (4 km) long, drivers had ample time to set a hot lap during the 15-minute Qualifying session. Most drivers looked comfortable setting 1:32s but JAdams2010 (Mitsubishi) produced a 1:31.994 midway through the session to show the rest of the field how to really fly around Interlagos. It wasn’t until the final two minutes that other drivers managed to get below the 1:32 barrier, derek737_DK_ (Volkswagen) taking the last pole of the season with a 1:31.857. It was the closest session of the season, under a second splitting the entire grid.

The lights went out and the field roared to life, RC_Zoky88 (Dodge) screaming into the lead as derek737_DK_ (Volkswagen) played it safe off the line. Williams_Coque14 (Renault) and JAdams2010 (Mitsubishi) made it five cars within just a few tenths of each other as lap two began, with RC_Zoky88 (Dodge) seemingly holding them up derek737_DK_ (Volkswagen) wrestled his GTI VGT up the inside and took the lead.

Drama unfolded behind as Williams_Coque14 (Renault) spun out of third, moving JAdams2010 (Mitsubishi) provisionally onto the podium. With fellow Renault driver Alexony94 (Renault) down in 20th, Williams_Coque14 (Renault) had some breathing room. Special attention was on force_ewerby (Mercedes) and kie25 (Mercedes) with only 100 points splitting the pair in the battle for Mercedes honours. force_ewerby (Mercedes) held a healthy advantage for most of the race. There was no such comfort for Oscaro_Ugo (Nissan) and TRL_LIGHTNING (Nissan) as their battle for top Nissan got physical on multiple occasions.

Lap eight saw RC_Zoky88 (Dodge) come under increasing pressure from the Lancer Evo of JAdams2010 (Mitsubishi), the Mitsubishi man eventually forcing his way up and into second as derek737_DK_ (Volkswagen) scampered away into the lead. The lead allowed derek737_DK_ (Volkswagen) to consider a one-stop strategy, able to ease off to help save fuel and tyres. Easing off was the last thing on the minds of RC_Zoky88 (Dodge) and rick-918-bmx (Porsche) as they duked it out for the final steps of the podium as the race approached its halfway point and pit stops loomed.

derek737_DK_ (Volkswagen) was the first to dive into the pits while the rest of the top ten elected to remain out. With the remainder of the field pitting the following lap, derek737_DK_ (Volkswagen) regained his lead ahead of JAdams2010 (Mitsubishi) as mclaren6 (Chevrolet) found himself in third after what seemed a tactical master stroke.

As the podium battle escaped ahead, RC_Zoky88 (Dodge) frantically looked for a way past rick-918-bmx (Porsche) and eventually found it on lap 13. This left the Viper driver with a three second gap to close. mclaren6’s (Chevrolet) dream run seemed over when he dove into the pits for a second time and re-joined the race in 19th.

RC_Zoky88 (Dodge) and rick-918-bmx (Porsche) were inseparable as the race approached its end, derek737_DK_ (Volkswagen) and JAdams2010 (Mitsubishi) looking safe in first and second respectively. Try as he might, rick-918-bmx (Porsche) could not do more than show RC_Zoky88 (Dodge) the nose of his Porsche. The action was just as exciting further down the field as TRL_LIGHTNING (Nissan) looked to put cars between himself and Oscaro_Ugo (Nissan), frantic passing ensued as the tight-group bounced off each other.

With all the action behind, derek737_DK_‘s (Volkswagen) incredible drive went almost unnoticed as his GTI VGT crossed the line over two seconds ahead of the next driver. A haul of 8,621 points a just reward for the Czech driver’s impeccable efforts. Should Volkswagen qualify for the Manufacturer Series, derek737_DK_ will surely represent them.

Despite his penalty, Adams2010’s (Mitsubishi) second place was safe from RC_Zoky88 (Dodge). The pair did well, but were unable to close the gap to within two seconds of the lead.

Oscaro_SkyPikmin (Lexus) was the biggest benefactor from penalties, jumping up to fourth place and ahead of leading Mercedes force_ewerby (Mercedes) in fifth.

rick-918-bmx (Porsche), TgTenka (Subaru), Williams_Coque14 (Renault), Jomas_74 (Jaguar) and Oscaro_MansoN (Citroën) formed a top ten dictated by penalties.

Now it’s time to see which manufacturers will head through to the season finals in October and who will have the honour of representing them.

Rank Driver DR SR Rd. 1 Rd. 2 Rd. 3 Rd. 4 Rd. 5 Rd. 6 Rd. 7 Rd. 8 Rd. 9 Rd. 10 Total
1 Volkswagen derek737_DK_ S S 1850 2217 917 2501 2160 2705 2200 4206 2400 8650 20462
2 Dodge RC_Zoky88 S S 2639 2396 2292 2693 2584 3092 - 3250 - 7844 19518
3 Mitsubishi JAdams2010 S S 2701 1618 2084 2516 0 - 965 3632 - 8247 19180
4 Porsche rick-918-bmx S S - 1228 2654 - 925 3285 2527 2485 2538 6636 17640
5 Lexus Oscaro_SkyPikmin S S 1651 1626 2409 2731 2487 1546 2206 1720 1877 7442 17275
6 Mercedes-Benz force_ewerby S S - - 1917 2236 1388 2899 1635 2867 1358 7039 16958
7 Renault Sport Williams_Coque14 S S 2730 2388 2108 1714 2076 0 2676 0 2716 5831 16341
8 Nissan TRL_LIGHTNING S S 2261 2765 2904 2026 2932 0 - 3823 - 3415 15839
9 Jaguar Jomas_74 S S 2401 1832 726 2587 2954 2319 - 2103 2199 5428 15689
10 Citroën Oscaro_MansoN S S 2786 1642 2559 623 2643 2512 2344 764 2166 5026 15526

Back to the List