The North American portion of the new Ferrari Velas Esports Series once again provided great entertainment for fans at home, as the final qualification races of the year produced some outstanding moments of action.
Just like the preceding European events, the final four qualification races of the Ferrari Velas Esports Series North America would be a nervy affair for many drivers, with only 12 places available to secure for the important North American Regional Finals later this month.
Each race would produce just three qualified drivers, and you can catch all the action once again on the Ferrari YouTube channel VOD below:
Displaying workmanlike skills at the front of the field, Canadian talent Matt Adams was the first to take the chequered flag in Spain, pulling out an eventual clear advantage over Manuel Hernandez, with Brian Szabelski bringing up the final podium spot, and with it a place in the Regional Finals.
The heady mix of high speed and technical sections would prove no hindrance to the North American field, with some strong performances on the circuit throughout the grid – none more so than that of eventual race winner Aloo Gobi, who took the Ferrari 488 Challenge EVO to a well-earned race victory, crossing the line with time to spare from second placed Ricardo Rivera, himself a healthy distance up the road on the chasing Erie Riley.
Spa is certainly not a track for the faint of heart, and in the North American qualification races we really got to see where some of the stronger drivers shone through against their rivals. A resounding performance from race winner Brendon Hawkin would prove to be a signal of intent for the rest of the North American drivers heading into the Regional Finals, and further strong performances from Pierre-Oliver Cloutier of Canada and Jonathan Heinemeyer in second and third respectively secured their own graduation to the next stage of the 2022 competition.
As another new track to the simulation, alongside the previously raced Circuit of the Americas, this event was somewhat a step into the unknown for the NA hopefuls, however practice and raw skills would eventually prevail at the front of the field, with a superb display of race pace and composure earning Yordi Maldanado the spoils of victory. Further back, Mexican driver Uziel Tellez would be the second man across the line, with Andy Trupiano securing the final qualification place of the evening, and a place on the 24 car grid for the Regional Finals race.
Despite being a new initiative in the world of the Ferrari Velas Esports Series, the North American contingent continues to put on a great show for the fans at home. With just a single Regional Final show left to do before North America joins the European side of the series, we’ve got plenty of racing and drama to look forward to yet !
Just like the preceding European events, the final four qualification races of the Ferrari Velas Esports Series North America would be a nervy affair for many drivers, with only 12 places available to secure for the important North American Regional Finals later this month.
Each race would produce just three qualified drivers, and you can catch all the action once again on the Ferrari YouTube channel VOD below:
Race 1 – Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Taking to Spain in the opening race of the final qualification show of the night, the North American future stars would use all their experience of the venerable Assetto Corsa platform to produce a strong 30 minutes of competitive action.Displaying workmanlike skills at the front of the field, Canadian talent Matt Adams was the first to take the chequered flag in Spain, pulling out an eventual clear advantage over Manuel Hernandez, with Brian Szabelski bringing up the final podium spot, and with it a place in the Regional Finals.
Race 2 – Circuit of the Americas
North American drivers at one of the premier US racing venues was always going to produce fireworks, and for the second race of the night that is exactly what happened at this new circuit addition to Assetto Corsa Competizione.The heady mix of high speed and technical sections would prove no hindrance to the North American field, with some strong performances on the circuit throughout the grid – none more so than that of eventual race winner Aloo Gobi, who took the Ferrari 488 Challenge EVO to a well-earned race victory, crossing the line with time to spare from second placed Ricardo Rivera, himself a healthy distance up the road on the chasing Erie Riley.
Race 3 – Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Magical Spa would be next up on the show, as the drivers return to Assetto Corsa and one of the most prominently used tracks in virtual motorsports.Spa is certainly not a track for the faint of heart, and in the North American qualification races we really got to see where some of the stronger drivers shone through against their rivals. A resounding performance from race winner Brendon Hawkin would prove to be a signal of intent for the rest of the North American drivers heading into the Regional Finals, and further strong performances from Pierre-Oliver Cloutier of Canada and Jonathan Heinemeyer in second and third respectively secured their own graduation to the next stage of the 2022 competition.
Race 4 – Indianapolis Road Course
The final race of the evening would fall to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, as the famed American venue would be rolled out for the North American drivers to tackle the road course configuration, again in Assetto Corsa Competizione.As another new track to the simulation, alongside the previously raced Circuit of the Americas, this event was somewhat a step into the unknown for the NA hopefuls, however practice and raw skills would eventually prevail at the front of the field, with a superb display of race pace and composure earning Yordi Maldanado the spoils of victory. Further back, Mexican driver Uziel Tellez would be the second man across the line, with Andy Trupiano securing the final qualification place of the evening, and a place on the 24 car grid for the Regional Finals race.
Despite being a new initiative in the world of the Ferrari Velas Esports Series, the North American contingent continues to put on a great show for the fans at home. With just a single Regional Final show left to do before North America joins the European side of the series, we’ve got plenty of racing and drama to look forward to yet !
