Drivers Set Sights to Italy for GT Rivals Esports Invitational at Misano World Circuit

Drivers Set Sights to Italy for GT Rivals Esports Invitational at Misano World Circuit

Following an entertaining opening round of GT Rivals esports action at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, drivers look ahead to Misano World Circuit for Round 2. The popular Italian circuit hosts a number of large two-wheel and four-wheel motorsports events including GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS competition, however, this will be many of SRO America’s drivers first time to experience the 2.53-mile, 16-turn circuit. 

Heading into this weekend’s 60-min contest, momentum favors Laguna Seca winner Bryan Heitkotter who will once again drive the Nissan GT-R GT3. His unique experience in sim racing and professional GT racing makes him one to watch as a new circuit creates a challenge for all. Nissan will also be represented by TechSport Racing’s Kevin Anderson who showed good pace with Champion Motorsport’s sim racer Takis Weekes piloting the GT-R this Sunday as well. 

Kenton Koch drove to an impressive Top 5 finish after a first lap miscue cost him multiple drive-thru penalties. The young Californian kept his cool and finished out the race with a strong finish in the Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT3. PF Racing’s James Pesek will continue in the Vantage along with Champion Motorsport sim racer Don Bélanger representing the British marquee. 

For Audi, Alec Udell is back behind the wheel of the R8 LMS GT3 Evo and maybe the only driver with real-world experience at Misano during his time racing in the GT4 European series. Parker Chase will look to utilize his PWC championship winning experience with the Audi to improve his finishing position from Round 1 with Champion Motorsport’s Josh Staffin flying the Audi Sport flag. 

The Bentley Boys continue with the K-Pax Racing duo of Guy Cosmo and Patrick Byrne out for redemption from a rough first round in a pair of Continental GT3s. Classic BMW drivers Toby Grahovec and Stevan McAleer bring the BMW M6 GT3 to Misano with Champion Motorsport sim racer Dirk Groeneveld in M machinery. Ferrari pilot Trevor Baek makes his first appearance driving the Ferrari 488 GT3 for Vital Speed Motorsports. With FR America’s Dakota Dickerson back after a strong fourth place finish at Laguna Seca in the prancing horse. 

Honda returns with a strong contingent of drivers, most notably recruiting Laguna Seca podium finisher Karl Wittmer to pilot the NSX GT3 Evo. Racer’s Edge teammates Shelby Blackstock and Kyle Marcelli are back, learning sim racing and gaining speed every time out. Formula racer Jacob Abel and PWC champ Tom O’Gorman ran in the Top 5 at Laguna Seca and are expected to be contenders this weekend. 

CrowdStrike Racing and Mercedes-AMG bring their full line-up of drivers from GT World Challenge America powered by AWS and TC America to compete at Misano. Teammates George Kurtz and Colin Braun will be joined by touring car racers Kevin Boehm and CJ Moses in the Mercedes-AMG GT3. Daniel Morad will look to bounce back and show off his sim racing skills with Mark Ramsey back behind the wheel of the Mercedes. 

Porsche will feature Wright Motorsport’s GT World Challenge America driver Max Root and GT Sports Club America GT2 driver Jason Bell. Also driving the 991.2 GT3 R, Nicolai Elghanayan and Nikko Reger are searching for better results than the first round. With Champion Motorsport’s sim racer Dominic Guerin behind the wheel of the rear-engine machine. 

GT Rivals Esports Invitational utilizes Assetto Corsa Competizione, developed by Kunos Simulazioni and published by 505 Games, featuring the real atmosphere of the GT World Challenge powered by AWS series. Designed for esports, Assetto Corsa Competizione is bringing sim racers into an immersive experience behind the wheels of today’s top GT3 racers. 

Tune-in to Win this Sunday at 3pm ET prize packs from our esports partners including an ASUS ROG Peripherals bundle featuring the Delta gaming headset, Chakram mouse, Sheath mousepad, and Scope keyboard. Plus five PC codes for Assetto Corsa Competizione.  

How to Watch

Twitch: twitch.tv/sromotorsports
YouTube: youtube.com/GTWorld
Facebook: facebook.com/gtworldchallengeamerica 
Twitter: twitter.com/gtworldcham

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