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AMERICAS FINAL
Brazil's Igor Fraga (IOF_RACING17) is Crowned King of the Americas!
Nations Cup: Americas Final
2018/11/05

The third and final race took place in Interlagos, where all the competitors drove the same car: the Red Bull X2014.

Having secured podium finishes in the first two races, Chile's Fabián Portilla (FT_Mcqueen91) stood atop the standings heading into the final race. Few had expected such a strong performance from him, as he had to work his way up through the repechage, but his tremendous tenacity and will proved his greatest assets, and now everyone was gunning for him.

Sitting three points behind Portilla (FT_Mcqueen91), with his eyes on the prize, was Brazil's Igor Fraga (IOF_RACING17), and not to be counted out yet was Chile's Nicolás Rubilar (FT_NicoR), despite his setbacks in the first two races.

Fortune smiled on Fraga (IOF_RACING17) before the race had even begun, as the venue for the final showdown would be Interlagos, his home track. He quickly grabbed pole position and took the early lead when the green flag dropped.

Rubilar (FT_NicoR) was determined not to leave the Americas finals without a win, and this determination was evident when he moved his way up from 8th position to 4th position in only two laps.

On Lap 4, during a battle for 2nd place, the USA's Nick McMillen (GumballCGT), a GT Academy winner with real racing experience, spun out and dropped to 9th, pretty much ruining his chances at winning the race.

On Lap 8, Rubilar (FT_NicoR), running in 2nd position, lost control of his car and spun on Turn 2, shattering his hopes of a final-race victory.

Canada's Jeffrey Gallan (FT_LLOYDZELITE), who ran a consistent pace for the previous races (finishing 5th both times), decided to go for it and moved up the leader board, until he was battling for 2nd place with the USA's Andrew McCabe (TRL_doodle). It was an intense and clean fight, with both drivers respecting each other's position on the track.

As the others vied for position, Fraga (IOF_RACING17) kept his fast pace in front of the pack, building an incredible twenty-second lead over the 2nd-place car.

Fraga (IOF_RACING17) maintained his dominance over the full 22 laps, taking the checkered flag. Although he only had one title, which came in Test Season 8 of the online series' Nations Cup, he showed that he was one of the elite drivers in the world in this competition.

Although he wasn't able to get the win on this day, Rubilar (FT_NicoR), the most decorated driver in all three regions, deserves a nod for his great talent and sportsmanship. It was just not meant to be on this day.

Rubilar (FT_NicoR) smiled and congratulated Fraga (IOF_RACING17) on his brilliant performance. "I'm disappointed with the results, but I really enjoyed going head to head with the best drivers in the region. Now I'm going to try and do my best to win the World Final!"

Rubilar, who produces videos of himself competing in the online series, is usually cool as ice on the track, but in a social setting, he is one of the warmest people you will ever meet.


The Champion of the Americas: Brazil's Igor Fraga

“The first race was really tough for me. I think I got my strategy a bit wrong. Fortunately, I was able to learn from my mistakes in the next race. I put in a good performance, and finished in 1st place. Winning the last race at Interlagos really means a lot to me, as a Brazilian, so I was really delighted to be able to do that.

“I always try to do my best. I've had to work really hard to get this far. I'm so emotional at the moment, it's hard to think of the right words. Winning a race on my home circuit to become the best Gran Turismo player in the Americas...it's a special experience.“

Americas Final - The 10 Finalists

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