The Lionheart Retro Series in iRacing headed to Japan for the Twin Ring 175 recently. Here is your race report.
The Lionheart Retro Series in iRacing returned for Round 14 at Twin Ring Motegi, Japan, where drivers navigated the track’s unique challenges in the ButtKicker Twin Ring 175. This highly technical event was defined by strategic shifts, tactical passing, and a series of close calls.
Top 5 Qualifying Times
#99 Sirois: 31.350 seconds
#8 Taylor: +0.121 seconds
Campbell: +0.122 seconds
#39 Cohn: +0.165 seconds
Nunez: +0.174 seconds
Right from the start, Campbell set an aggressive pace, quickly challenging Sirois. Taylor, however, fell to P10 early on. Nunez, coming off a recent win, advanced through the pack, showing clear intent.
Early Stages: Calculated Manoeuvres and Close Racing
The Twin Ring Motegi’s wide track opened possibilities for side-by-side racing, which drivers seized immediately. By lap 9, the front pack was already jockeying for position, with each maneuver adding to the intensity of the race.
Top 10 Standings at Lap 15:
- Campbell
- Cohn
- Fowler
- Sirois
- Rodriguez
- Nunez
- Graaf
- Guyon
- Malone
- Hardin
A yellow flag came on lap 19 after Mikes lost control, causing Nunez to collide with him. The caution allowed most drivers to make their pit stops, preparing for another push as the green flag returned on lap 24.
Top 10 Standings at Lap 40:
- Guyon
- Hearn
- Ragan
- Jenkins
- Campbell
- Rodriguez
- Herrick
- Graaf
- Sirois
- Fowler
Mid-Race: Fuel Management and Strategic Depth
In the middle stages, Richie Hearn, a former IndyCar driver, delivered a stellar performance. As he rose to P2, Hearn initiated a back-and-forth contest for the lead. Meanwhile, the top 8 drivers managed to pull ahead, distancing themselves by nearly five seconds.
Final Stages: Rapid Position Changes and Dramatic Finishes
With 23 laps to go, another yellow flag was raised after Taylor lost control and collided with the wall. The field bunched up again for a final sprint to the finish. Ragan briefly held the lead, but Campbell, Rodriguez, and Fowler quickly made their moves, resulting in a series of dynamic lead changes.
In the final eight laps, Hearn spun out, bringing out yet another caution flag. The green flag dropped for a high-stakes dash to the finish, with Campbell and Cohn engaged in a tight battle. Five laps from the end, a high-speed crash forced the race to conclude under a yellow flag. Campbell crossed the finish line first, securing a decisive victory.
Final Results for Top 10
#26 Sean Campbell – 113 laps led
#10 David Rodriguez – -0.329 interval
#39 Marc Cohn – -0.766 interval
#99 David Sirois – -1.458 interval
#68 Mike Rasimas – +17 positions gained
#53 Craig Forsythe
#20 Chris Fowler – led 3 laps
#19 Christopher Ragan – led 4 laps
#28 Luke Daniels
#40 Jim Herrick
In his victory speech, Campbell expressed excitement, saying, “It’s great to win at Twin Ring Motegi.” This race further highlights the Lionheart Retro Series’ reputation for close racing and dynamic strategies, as seen in Motegi’s Twin Ring 175.
This event underscored the Lionheart Retro Series’ reputation for exhilarating sim racing, with top-notch competition and strategic depth that keeps fans on edge.