🏆🏁SEASON'S END🏁🏆

 

The End of Season blues are already kicking in for some, as Gran Turismo South Africa is taking a short break from their regular Thursday night running of intense racing.

But while some are repairing their cars, prepping their machines and garages for the next season, there is plenty racing happening elsewhere where drivers are able to refine and improve their race craft in a number of series including the Daily Races and GTWS Manufacturers Cup Exhibition Seasons currently taking place.

Lets not forget a few honourable mentions:

PSR New Season starting 15 October

The EERIEISSS IMSA Series being run on Gridfinder

The Aero League Racing series which featured Mikail Hizal

https://www.aeroleagueracing.com 

LNR's TvT and MSA Cup series running Sunday evening

https://www.logistical-nightmare.com/

Nonetheless, for those looking to rather take some time off, some interesting Statistics can be shared from the previous season.

- The new Website has generated 388 users accessing the site and navigating all the interactive pages.

- A total of 7 Pool (+/-15 drivers each competed this season, our largest this year)
- An 80% approval of all races scheduled, the combo's were a Hit! Thank you Steven
- Our last stream, GTSA Showdown Finale having the highest amount of viewers seen on a livestream at one time (50+ regulars and 900 BOTs)

And likely, the most interesting stat that has come out of the season, this was the first season since 2019 that GTSA has had uninterrupted racing, with Loadshedding not having made a regular appearance, having to forfeit or postpone any of the scheduled running of races.

A message from Admin for the season
" Thank you to all who participated, we're overwhelmed by the support received by both drivers and viewers alike. This series would not be able to run without the participation and commitment of our drivers on a Thursday evening and the sponsors helping keeping things exciting.

Massive shout outs to TGN Racing Simulators, TrackArt ZA, Guerrilla Garage, Rite Recruitment, Rhino Utilities Tzaneen, Mayfair Gearboxes and ZAPA Gaming.

Check out our Affiliates and Sponsor Pages via the GTSA Website

In other news, a we have not properly closed of the season without recapping the Showdown Finale and announcement of final results.

On Thursday, October 10th, 2024, the motorsport world turned its eyes to the electrifying showdown where 15 elite drivers clashed in a high-octane battle to crown the next Gran Turismo South Africa Champion. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the grid lined up, featuring hot favorites like Nations League Champion VSR_Richard and Manufacturers League Champion Levitius. These titans of the track were the ones to beat, while the rest of the field, including five wildcard entries, strategized to outmaneuver the frontrunners.

Race 1 transported the competitors to the picturesque Lago Maggiore in Italy, where 15 identical BMW E30 M3s awaited them. The drivers faced the challenge of the shortest track layout on sports tires, setting the stage for a gripping three-race finale.

Qualifying was a nail-biting affair, with VSR_Richard drawing first blood by clocking the fastest time, closely pursued by Levitius. The race itself was a spectacle of thrilling action and masterful maneuvers, where consistency was the key to victory in this sprint to the finish.

Levitius, displaying nerves of steel, managed to edge past Richard after shadowing his every move in the opening laps. A crucial error by Richard opened the door for Levitius, who seized the opportunity to surge ahead and secure the win. Richard, now under immense pressure, struggled to regain his composure, allowing SeriousSam_ZA to snatch second place. Ghostkilla_Pace, despite a valiant effort, finished fourth, with Richard clinging to the final podium spot.

Further down the grid, the battle for points was fierce as drivers jostled for position, each aiming to maximize their haul from the first round and reset their strategies for Race 2. The stage was set for an unforgettable finale, with every driver determined to leave their mark on the championship.

With the tone firmly set for a fierce, fierce battle, the Gran Turismo South Africa finalists were transported to the legendary fortress of The Nurburgring. The Sprint layout was the scene for Round 2, where drivers had the freedom to choose their GT3 machinery to tackle the iconic track. Weather forecasts added an extra layer of unpredictability, predicting showers that could hit at any moment during the race.

The majority of the field opted for the Porsche 911 GT3 Race Car, inspired by its recent dominance in the week’s Daily Race C in Gran Turismo Sport Mode. This car had proven to be a favorite among speedsters, though its true potential seemed to depend heavily on the skill of the driver behind the wheel.

Building on his momentum from Race 1, Levitius, piloting his Ferrari 458 GT3, captured pole position and delivered a masterclass in racing to take a dominant victory. His performance was nothing short of spectacular as he raced towards the chequered flag, leaving the competition in his wake.

Behind him, the Porsche Cup race unfolded with intense drama. VSR_Richard, determined to reclaim his standing, clawed his way back to P2, showcasing his resilience and skill. RBS_GT_Racing secured the third position, while the rest of the pack jostled for positions in a thrilling contest. Some drivers found themselves caught out by strategy, as the threatening clouds failed to produce the anticipated rain, negating the need for pit stops.

Nonetheless, the stage was set for an epic final showdown. The drivers, now more determined than ever, prepared for the ultimate test of skill, strategy, and endurance. The championship hung in the balance, promising a finale that would be remembered for years to come.

 

The final showdown was upon us, and the entire grid was on edge. With double points on offer, the Gran Turismo South Africa Championship was still up for grabs, making this race the ultimate decider!

Levitius, with a commanding lead after winning the first two races, was in prime position to take the title. However, his challengers—VSR_Richard, SeriousSam_ZA, Ghostkilla_Pace, and RBS_GT_Racing—had all shown strong performances in the previous races. They needed a race win and for Levitius to finish sixth or lower to snatch the championship from his grasp.

The drivers were tasked with mastering the formidable Red Bull X2019 Competition Gran Turismo Vision Race Car on the legendary Le Mans Circuit. The weather forecast was a mystery, as the tech had conveniently malfunctioned upon arrival, likely due to the thick clouds looming over parts of the track.

Qualifying was a frantic scramble as rain began to fall on parts of the circuit. Drivers streamed out of the pits, desperate to set their laps on the driest possible track. Levitius, our current leader, managed to secure the best conditions, putting him at the top of the qualifying board, with the rest of the grid trailing by about a second.

As the race began, the tension was palpable. The lights went out, and Levitius got an incredible start, skillfully avoiding any turn 1 tussles. SeriousSam_ZA posed an early threat, chasing Levitius closely in the first two laps and nearly overtaking him. However, a few penalties took SeriousSam_ZA out of the draft, allowing Levitius to maintain his lead.

By lap 2, the race had settled somewhat, with drivers wrestling their cars to keep them pointing forward on the dry track. Strategy and weather were crucial, but ultimately, no rain came, much to the dismay of many drivers. Levitius, executing a flawless one-stop strategy, crossed the finish line first, securing overall top honors and making it three wins out of three for the night.

In second place, RBS_GT_Racing emerged as the best of the rest, while wildcard entry SAM_Mr_DNG took P3 honors in an epic finale.

For live action check the stream

The championship had been decided in spectacular fashion, with Levitius proving himself the undisputed Gran Turismo South Africa Champion!

A big well done to all involved and although only one could win all of our participants are champions.

While things will be quiet for a little while, there will be some regular blogposts with featured insight on teams and behind the scenes elements that will all be revealed in good time.

Keep abreast of all things Gran Turismo South Africa on the Website and our various Social Media platforms as we await the announcement on "WHAT'S NEXT?"

Blogpost by Murray Stalker