Bell is the boss at ‘The Glen’
Apex Racing Academy iRacing F3 VRS Super Series R9 Watkins Glen
Intensity levels continue to reach breaking point in the struggle for the Apex Racing Academy F3 VRS Super Series. Arriving at Watkins Glen for the ninth round of the championship, no one could risk picking a winner from Connor Bell, Paulo Draeta, Qio-Tiago Marteau and Will Redford with two rounds to go.
Connor Bell mastered ‘The Glen’s’ meandering curves to claim pole position from Paulo Draeta. Lingering ominously behind on row two, was QIo-Tiago Marteau. Fourth overall, Florian Beer scored an important AM class pole position for his title tussle with Aaron Smith.
Throughout the initial phase of the opening sprint, Bell and Draeta engaged in a thrilling duel. Using the significant effect of the slip stream, Draeta and Bell liberally exchanged the lead. Eventually, a slight error from Draeta dropped the Brazilian into the clutches of Qio-Tiago Marteau. With Draeta and Marteau now bickering over second place, Bell dropped the hammer and sped off to the race win. Eventually, Marteau would get the better of Draeta for second place. In the context of such a close championship, each and every position may prove critical at the final checkered flag in Long Beach.
Florian Beer eventually emerged from an erratic AM class fight to convert pole to a class win and fifth overall.
Feature Race
Starting on pole position for the thirty-minute feature, Bell enjoyed the perfect view down to cambered right hander at turn one. Despite a slight off track excursion on the exit, the Canadian ace held firm in the lead. Although Bell initially threatened to pull away, Marteau managed to close the gap by half race distance. Bell would have to work for a double victory.
Responding to Marteau’s threat, Bell began to pull away once more. However, Marteau had more left in the tank. On the final lap, Marteau lingered behind Bell and then pounced at the bus stop, snatching the lead with an exquisite manoeuvre. Incensed by the loss a race long lead, Bell retaliated at the end of the boot section to reclaim the lead. Bell’s equally clean pass produced a superb double victory at a critical point in the championship. Despite late pressure from Draeta, Marteau retained second place.
Twenty seconds back from the lead battle, Chris Rosenkranz came home fourth. Thus, sealing a dominant AM class victory.
Post Race
Immediately after the action, several ARA F3 challengers joined the Apex Racing TV broadcast crew to give their assessments:
Connor Bell: “Oh wow! That was fantastic racing in the top three there. A big shout out to Paulo and Qio-Tiago, they are so quick!”
Chris Rosenkranz: “It is really nice to be fourth overall and top of my class. That’s amazing!”
Mark Redford: “I really enjoyed race one. I couldn’t get it together in qualifying, so I started at the back, but the car was great!”
On the 27th of June, the Apex Racing Academy F3 VRS Super Series heads to Long Beach for the season finale. Marteau, Draeta and Bell go to the final round covered by a handful of points. Who will claim the crown? Find out on Apex Racing TV at 7pm GMT.
