PorscheSport crowned champions of the Virtual Endurance Championship
The first ever champions of the GT category for the Virtual Endurance Championship (VEC) is PorscheSport eSports. At the last race of the season, on the world famous Sebring International Raceway, the team took the championship trophy, in what was a nail biting spectacle of twist and turns. The virtual endurance series is run on the iRacing simulation platform and includes LMP1, LMP2 and GTE categories.
Heading into the season finale, a two horse race between Ronin Simsports and PorscheSport was very much on the cards. In the qualifying, both teams showcased their ambitions with Ronin, once again, clinching pole ahead of PorscheSport. In the early stages of the race, Phillip Bereswill and Josh Camm battled for the GTE lead. It was Bereswill and Ronin Simsports who once again proved their pace and finally started to break away from the pack. With PorscheSport needing a third position or better to clinch the title, they began to build a plus 30 second gap in second position.
The streak of bad luck once again arose for PorscheSport. Former British Touring Car driver, Mike Epps, took over from a superb stint by Camm only to be struck with technical difficulties. Unfortunately, a PC failure put PorscheSport down the order, once again, with all their hard work undone, through no fault of anyone. With Ronin Simsports running away with the race lead and ultimately the championship, PorscheSport began the mammoth task of ensuring a p3 finish.
Consistency proved key, a flawless drive placed PorscheSport now in the crucial championship decider points finish. The team in each class with the lowest number of iRacing incident points are, by championship rules, awarded 5 extra points each race. PorscheSport had previously claimed these points at Spa & Nürburgring and were unsure, until the chequered flag, if they could repeat the achievement at the third time of asking. A victory for Ronin Simsport, plus the added bonus points would of been enough for them to clinch the title as they crossed the line with only 9 incidents points. It was PorscheSport in third place, who ensured they claimed the bonus points with only 1 incident and take home the Virtual Endurance Championship in GTE.
Josh Camm "It's a fantastic result, I'm so happy for all the team. To become champions in an endurance series takes skill, teamwork and luck. At times it seemed luck hasn't been on our side, but we've done exactly what is needed and scored crucial points each round. Anyone who is familiar with iRacing will understand how difficult it is for teams to score under 5 incident points at tracks like Sebring, Spa and Nürburgring. You have to give huge credit to all the team and all our sponsors (Mydas Simulation, Strasse and Shark e-bikes)."
Ryan Parkins "We really thought our luck was out when Mike (Epps) had the technical difficulties in his first stint. It put us down the order and a big fight on our hands but it's something we've been accustomed to this season and I'm so proud of Josh (Camm) and Mike (Epps) and all the team who participated in the season (Paul Riga, Carl Sharkey, Austin Greatorex, Gavin Halls and Alex Rolls on pit road.)"
Points standings
PorscheSport eSports, 89
Ronin Simsport, 83
Juncos Racing eSports, 70