Brown secures virtual victory
MOTORSPORT: Will Brown matched his “real world” efforts with a simulation win on Tuesday night.
Brown, who claimed his second career Supercars Dunlop Super2 race win at the weekend, won his TCR Australia SimRacing Series at Sydney Motorsport Park.
The HMO Customer Racing driver took the win in the second reverse grid race, in what was a fraught affair at the western Sydney circuit.
In race 1 (Round 5 of the title), series leader Renault driver Dylan O’Keeffe made the best start and held off an ambitious outside attempt from John Martin at turn 2.
From that point, it was a case of “catch me if you can” from O’Keeffe, who gapped the field and was never in danger. Second place went to John Martin, driving the Mobil 1supported Honda Civic Type R. The Queenslander stayed within sight of O’Keeffe, and while he did not give up, he could not get within striking distance.
Ben Bargwanna qualified third and eventually finished third, but he made the first part of the race difficult for himself.
The son of former Bathurst 1000 champion Jason made a tardy start and dropped to fifth.
He made a move on Luke King for fourth on the third lap, and made the move stick, only for King to immediately bump him down to sixth.
Bargwanna chipped his way through the field to get back to third place in his Burson Auto Parts Peugeot 308.
HMO Customer Racing’s Brown made a great run through the field from 11th on the grid to eventually finish fourth, although it wasn’t without controversy.
The reigning TCR Australia Series champion chipped his way through the field, but his move from fifth to fourth was an aggressive one on his HMO Hyundai teammate Jaden Ransley, who was eventually classed fifth.
O’Keeffe said he was surprised to take pole, but pleased with the win.
“It was exactly what I was need,” O’Keeffe said.
“I didn’t think I had the pace for pole.
I thought Ben (Bargwanna) was going to drop in with a fast time at the end, but he missed out.
“The race was good. John and I were quite quick, but I was pleased to get the race win.”
In the second reverse grid race, Brown was too good for the field, taking a maiden race win in the series.
From the second last row of the grid, the Toowoomba driver made a rocket start and edged his way neatly through the field to secure the win and mark himself as a new force in the virtual TCR world.
“Yeah, that was a bit of fun,” Brown said after the race.
“There was a bit of bumping out there, but I really enjoyed it.
“I haven’t been on the simulator for a while, and I didn’t think I’d get the win tonight.
“Now that I’ve had a few weeks off, I’m really enjoying the sim racing.
“The TCR car on the Assetto Corsa platform feels really realistic.
“I can really relate to more and I really enjoyed it.”
The next round of the series will be held at the Surfers Paradise street circuit in two weeks time. it