Cloudy conditions, low temperatures and three hours of pressure resulted in record lap times, balance complaints and serious concerns ahead of the SIMGEAR GT Masters race.
The Official Practice Session Shakes the Field Ahead of Round 2 at Watkins Glen
Cloudy skies, a 19-degree air temperature and almost no wind created an ideal—yet deceptive—setting for the official free practice before Round 2 of the SIMGEAR GT Masters. Thirty-six drivers spent nearly three hours pushing the limit, and the results raised many questions… and even more tension.
Gabriel Ivanov on Top Again, Rivals Just Hundredths Behind
In the GT3 class, Gabriel Ivanov continued his frightening form and topped the timesheets, with Ventsislav Raychinov only 1.754 seconds behind. Yoan Neshev claimed third with a 1:41.765—a clear sign that tomorrow’s race will feature a three-way showdown.
In the GT4 field, Hungary’s Hunor Horchy once again set the pace with 1:53.085. Martin Yankov followed in second, while Switzerland’s Dylan Stebler finished third with 1:53.521.
Drivers Speak Out: Pressure, Tyre Wear and Lack of BoP
After the session, the atmosphere was anything but calm.
Hunor Horchy: “I am satisfied and ready for tomorrow, but the car is right on the edge. Tyre wear will be a huge issue.”
Ivaylo Boychev: “The tension in GT3 grew every minute. Everyone was chasing the limit—the pace was insane.”
Kevin Aebi: “We’re a bit behind. We’re struggling with the setup, but I believe we’ll sort it out for tomorrow.”
Kris Vrazhilov: “The lack of BoP makes some cars half a second quicker per lap… gg before the race even starts.”
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Ready for Tomorrow’s Live Battle
The session made one thing clear: Round 2 will be explosive. Pace differences, technical issues, balance complaints and genuine concerns about tyre wear set the stage for an unpredictable showdown.
Watch the race live tomorrow on the SIMGEAR YouTube channel at 16:20 UTC.
The battle for Watkins Glen is just beginning.
