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2024 Michelin Pilot Challenge - Presented by SNAIL
Hosted by PSN: NOVA-0479
Event #6 - Barcelona GP
Friday April 4, 2025
Event #6/ Race #1 Recap
Preamble:
The 2024 Michelin Pilot Challenge is already winding down as we head to Barcelona for Event #6 of #7 and everything is still to play for.
The changes to the grid are are as follows:
I don't have a replay for the qualifying session but the numbers seem odd to me simply because I've spent much time in practice lobbies this week and have seen @DublDee , @CdnSweetTee and @Mac1032763 put in many laps in the 1:52's. What I didn't expect was to see some 1:51's but that's exactly what @radliffracing and @Bologna_Duc did to get themselves on the front row.
So congrats to @radliffracing claiming pole for himself and Toyota. Through 6 Events, Chevrolet (@Bologna_Duc x 2) has two poles, McLaren (@JDMKING13), AMG (@THMP), BMW (@Kgffy) and Toyota (@radliffracing) each have one.
Event #6 / Race #1:
Final Event #6 / Race #1 Results Table:
Event #6 / Race #1 Broadcast:
Driver of the Race Award:
As I review the replay a few times to pull pictures and to record the broadcast, things stand out to me so I give a shout-out to the following drivers for their performance in Event #6 / Race #1:
Final Thoughts:
DRD_Niagara
Director of Media Relations
Hosted by PSN: NOVA-0479
Event #6 - Barcelona GP
Friday April 4, 2025
Event #6/ Race #1 Recap
Preamble:
The 2024 Michelin Pilot Challenge is already winding down as we head to Barcelona for Event #6 of #7 and everything is still to play for.
The changes to the grid are are as follows:
- OUT - @Dragonwhisky , @Fudman420 & series leader @Worst_Driver
- IN - @MrDonovan , @Kgffy , @CdnSweetTee
I don't have a replay for the qualifying session but the numbers seem odd to me simply because I've spent much time in practice lobbies this week and have seen @DublDee , @CdnSweetTee and @Mac1032763 put in many laps in the 1:52's. What I didn't expect was to see some 1:51's but that's exactly what @radliffracing and @Bologna_Duc did to get themselves on the front row.
So congrats to @radliffracing claiming pole for himself and Toyota. Through 6 Events, Chevrolet (@Bologna_Duc x 2) has two poles, McLaren (@JDMKING13), AMG (@THMP), BMW (@Kgffy) and Toyota (@radliffracing) each have one.
Event #6 / Race #1:
LAP #1:
It's lights out at Catalunya. @radliffracing and @Bologna_Duc start on the front row and behind them is @THMP and @JDMKING13 . By Turn 1, some of the higher powered cars benefit from the long straight and gain some spots but the grid gets through the first few turns cleanly.
LAP #1:
I thought I'd throw this one in for the heck of it. One of these is not like the others.
LAP #1:
At the chicane near the end of lap #1, we've got our first issue. @Kgffy 's BMW was bumped upon entry and sent across where he T-Boned @llNovall 's BMW all the way to the fence. I believe @Mac1032763 and @MrDonovan might have hit a sideways @Kgffy . @CdnSweetTee had to ease off and managed to narrowly avoid @Kgffy .
LAP #2 - The Snail Way
The previous sequence led to an unsupported call for caution that might have caused radio confusion. @radliffracing entered caution protocol by mistake which allowed @Bologna_Duc to periodically take the lead. When it became clear that no caution was issued, a classy @Bologna_Duc gave the position back to @radliffracing in what is yet another display of "The Snail Way" and earns himself consideration for the "Driver of the Race" award.
LAP #3:
Things finally settle down and drivers are finding their race pace. @radliffracing still leads the group being chased by @THMP who managed to overtake @Bologna_Duc . @bublyman and @Noob01_lmdead round off the top 5.
LAP #5:
At this point, the best battle on the grid is for 5th place between @Noob01_lmdead and @JDMKING13. They would go on and trade positions and paint for a couple laps.
LAP #7:
@Noob01_lmdead comes out ahead from the previous battle but later in lap #7 he gets his tires slightly off-track and causes a loss of grip for the side-by-side action he had with @socalnatv. Maybe too eager on the throttle, he ends up spinning at Turn 4. He'd rejoin the race in 11th spot.
LAP #8:
By now I assume it's getting pretty hot in @radliffracing 's cockpit. He still leads but it must be difficult ignoring what's happening just behind him. @Bologna_Duc got a great run down the straight and with slipstream, managed to overtake @THMP by Turn 1 of Lap 8. @socalnatv can be seen running 5th in the distance. This would be the start of a really intense lap between @Bologna_Duc , @THMP and @bublyman.
LAP #8:
At the start of sector 3 of Lap 8, @bublyman managed to move into 3rd and it was @THMP 's turn to go off-track. He does quite well avoiding a disastrous spin by riding the wall but the loss of grip and momentum would drop him to 6th.
LAP #9:
The helicopter has got fantastic ariel coverage of this sequence featuring @CdnSweetTee , running 9th and taking the wide line in a 3-wide battle with @Kgffy and @Noob01_lmdead . @llNovall and the fans on the grassy hill are all appreciating the action.
LAP 12:
@radliffracing is still getting the job done. Considering @Bologna_Duc and @bublyman are the two trying to run him down, he's kept his focus on the task at hand as the laps go by.
LAP #15:
This seems to be a regular occurrence all season long. @llNovall and @Kgffy pushing their BMW's to the limit, and beyond, as they're engaged in a head-to-head battle.
LAP #17:
@radliffracing has arrived. He sees the checkered flag despite a very strong push on the last lap by @Bologna_Duc . He goes wire to wire to give himself, and Toyota their first wins of the season and bags the extra points for the fastest lap.
@Bologna_Duc and @bublyman will join @radliffracing on the podium. @socalnatv and @JDMKING13 round off the top 5 positions.
It's lights out at Catalunya. @radliffracing and @Bologna_Duc start on the front row and behind them is @THMP and @JDMKING13 . By Turn 1, some of the higher powered cars benefit from the long straight and gain some spots but the grid gets through the first few turns cleanly.
LAP #1:
I thought I'd throw this one in for the heck of it. One of these is not like the others.
LAP #1:
At the chicane near the end of lap #1, we've got our first issue. @Kgffy 's BMW was bumped upon entry and sent across where he T-Boned @llNovall 's BMW all the way to the fence. I believe @Mac1032763 and @MrDonovan might have hit a sideways @Kgffy . @CdnSweetTee had to ease off and managed to narrowly avoid @Kgffy .
LAP #2 - The Snail Way
The previous sequence led to an unsupported call for caution that might have caused radio confusion. @radliffracing entered caution protocol by mistake which allowed @Bologna_Duc to periodically take the lead. When it became clear that no caution was issued, a classy @Bologna_Duc gave the position back to @radliffracing in what is yet another display of "The Snail Way" and earns himself consideration for the "Driver of the Race" award.
LAP #3:
Things finally settle down and drivers are finding their race pace. @radliffracing still leads the group being chased by @THMP who managed to overtake @Bologna_Duc . @bublyman and @Noob01_lmdead round off the top 5.
LAP #5:
At this point, the best battle on the grid is for 5th place between @Noob01_lmdead and @JDMKING13. They would go on and trade positions and paint for a couple laps.
LAP #7:
@Noob01_lmdead comes out ahead from the previous battle but later in lap #7 he gets his tires slightly off-track and causes a loss of grip for the side-by-side action he had with @socalnatv. Maybe too eager on the throttle, he ends up spinning at Turn 4. He'd rejoin the race in 11th spot.
LAP #8:
By now I assume it's getting pretty hot in @radliffracing 's cockpit. He still leads but it must be difficult ignoring what's happening just behind him. @Bologna_Duc got a great run down the straight and with slipstream, managed to overtake @THMP by Turn 1 of Lap 8. @socalnatv can be seen running 5th in the distance. This would be the start of a really intense lap between @Bologna_Duc , @THMP and @bublyman.
LAP #8:
At the start of sector 3 of Lap 8, @bublyman managed to move into 3rd and it was @THMP 's turn to go off-track. He does quite well avoiding a disastrous spin by riding the wall but the loss of grip and momentum would drop him to 6th.
LAP #9:
The helicopter has got fantastic ariel coverage of this sequence featuring @CdnSweetTee , running 9th and taking the wide line in a 3-wide battle with @Kgffy and @Noob01_lmdead . @llNovall and the fans on the grassy hill are all appreciating the action.
LAP 12:
@radliffracing is still getting the job done. Considering @Bologna_Duc and @bublyman are the two trying to run him down, he's kept his focus on the task at hand as the laps go by.
LAP #15:
This seems to be a regular occurrence all season long. @llNovall and @Kgffy pushing their BMW's to the limit, and beyond, as they're engaged in a head-to-head battle.
LAP #17:
@radliffracing has arrived. He sees the checkered flag despite a very strong push on the last lap by @Bologna_Duc . He goes wire to wire to give himself, and Toyota their first wins of the season and bags the extra points for the fastest lap.
@Bologna_Duc and @bublyman will join @radliffracing on the podium. @socalnatv and @JDMKING13 round off the top 5 positions.
Final Event #6 / Race #1 Results Table:
Event #6 / Race #1 Broadcast:
Driver of the Race Award:
As I review the replay a few times to pull pictures and to record the broadcast, things stand out to me so I give a shout-out to the following drivers for their performance in Event #6 / Race #1:
- @radliffracing - Not simply for the win but managing to keep @Bologna_Duc and @bublyman behind him is quite an accomplishment. I hope the pool of sweat built-up in his VR goggles isn't big enough to malfunction them.
Final Thoughts:
- An unfortunate disconnect by @Mac1032763 early on in this one meant our grid was down to 15 drivers by Lap 3 or 4.
- @radliffracing and @Bologna_Duc were clearly the two fastest in this one. They're the only two drivers to get into the 1:51s, both in Qualifying and in the race.
- A big win for Toyota. They join McLaren, Aston Martin, Chevrolet, BMW and AMG in the winners circle.
- Frustrated about the PP Penalty / PP Premium applied to you in this series? Come test yourself in Snail's Sunday Night SPEC League. We've had double digit grids in both divisions for the last month and 2 newbies expressed interest this past week in joining. Your participation is welcomed as a full-timer or a part-timer.
DRD_Niagara
Director of Media Relations
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