**Headline:** *Porsche Coanda Climbs in ESL R1 Spa Thriller*

**Intro:**
Joshua Rogers propelled Porsche Coanda Esports Racing to third in team standings with a gritty sixth-place finish at ESL R1’s Spa-Francorchamps round. The Australian claimed his 18th series win in a dominant semi-final, while Porsche’s quartet shone in knockout stages. The Autumn Championship continues to intensify, building toward November’s $40k finale in Sweden.

**Factbox (50 words):**
– **Event:** ESL R1 Autumn Championship, Round 2
– **Track:** Spa-Francorchamps (7.004 km, *Rennsport* platform)
– **Result:** Rogers 6th (Porsche 911 GT3 R), Semi-Final victory
– **Standings:** Porsche Coanda 3rd (Teams), Rogers 4th (Drivers)
– **Next Round:** Hockenheim, Sept 21-22
– **Prize Pool:** $40,000 (Major Finale: Nov 24, Jönköping)

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**Joshua Rogers Shines with Top-Six Finish in ESL R1 Autumn Championship at Spa-Francorchamps**
*Porsche Coanda Esports driver claims semi-final victory and strengthens standings in thrilling sim racing showdown.*

**Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium** – In a gripping display of virtual racing prowess, **Joshua Rogers** of the **Porsche Coanda Esports Racing Team** secured a hard-fought **sixth-place finish** in the final of Round 2 of the **ESL R1 Autumn Championship**. The Australian’s performance at the legendary **Spa-Francorchamps** circuit further solidified his status as a top contender, earning critical points to hold **fourth place** in the drivers’ standings while propelling Porsche Coanda to **third** in the team rankings.

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### **Event Overview: Porsche Dominates Knockout Stages**
The 7.004-kilometer “Ardennes rollercoaster” hosted Round 2 of the ESL R1 series on the *Rennsport* simulation platform. All four Porsche Coanda Esports drivers – **Mitchell deJong** (USA), **Mack Bakkum** (Netherlands), **Dayne Warren**, and **Joshua Rogers** (both Australia) – showcased their skill in Thursday’s knockout heats. Warren and Rogers claimed **second-place finishes** in their respective groups, while deJong and Bakkum secured **fourth**, advancing all four to Friday’s semi-finals.

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### **Semi-Final Drama: Rogers Claims 18th ESL R1 Win**
The semi-finals delivered high-octane action:
– **Semi-Final 1**: Warren battled fiercely, holding sixth place until the final lap when **Erhan Jajovski** (R8G Esports) overtook him at Les Combes. Warren finished seventh, while deJong stalled in tenth.
– **Semi-Final 2**: Starting 12th, Bakkum climbed two spots but missed the top six. Meanwhile, **Rogers** executed a masterclass, seizing the lead from second on the grid. Utilizing a slipstream on the Kemmel Straight, he overtook **Sebastian Job** (G2 Esports) at Les Combes and dominated the race, winning by **two seconds** – his **18th ESL R1 victory**.

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### **The Final: Rogers’ Resilient Charge**
Starting tenth in the final, Rogers surged to seventh on the opening lap. Amid relentless battles among the top eight, he capitalized on a post-race penalty for **Maximilian Benecke** (Mouz) to claim **sixth place**.
– **Podium**: Sebastian Job (BMW/G2 Esports) took victory, followed by Jajovski (Audi/R8G Esports) and Daire McCormack (Mercedes/Williams Esports).

—

### **Team Reactions**
**Nina Braack** (Porsche Motorsport Esports Manager):
*“Joshua’s semi-final win and final performance were crucial. We leave Spa optimistic for Round 3.”*

**Jörn Jens** (Porsche Coanda Team Manager):
*“Advancing all four drivers to semis was a success. Joshua’s points are vital, though Warren’s last-lap loss stung.”*

**Joshua Rogers**:
*“Winning the semi-final was fantastic. Qualifying tenth in the final wasn’t ideal, but gaining positions shows our pace. We’ll keep this momentum.”*

—

### **Results & Upcoming Rounds**
**Top Finishers (Final)**:
1. Sebastian Job (BMW M4 GT3) – G2 Esports
2. Erhan Jajovski (Audi R8 LMS) – R8G Esports
3. Daire McCormack (Mercedes-AMG) – Williams Esports
**6. Joshua Rogers (Porsche 911 GT3 R) – Porsche Coanda**

**Full Results & Standings**: [eslr1.com/fall23-2](https://eslr1.com/fall23-2)

**2023 ESL R1 Autumn Schedule**:
– **Round 3**: Sept 21–22 – Hockenheim (Germany)
– **Round 4**: Sept 28–29 – Nürburgring (Germany)
– **Major Final**: Nov 24 – Jönköping, Sweden ($40,000 prize pool)

—

**Next Stop: Hockenheim**
Porsche Coanda Esports aims to build on its strong Spa performance as the series heads to Germany. With Rogers eyeing a podium and the team chasing the leaders, the battle for ESL R1 glory intensifies.

*Follow Porsche Coanda Esports Racing for updates as the virtual title fight unfolds!*

**FAQs: ESL R1 Autumn Championship Round 2 at Spa-Francorchamps**

1. **How did Joshua Rogers perform in the ESL R1 Autumn Championship Round 2?**
Joshua Rogers finished sixth in the final, won his semi-final (his 18th ESL R1 win), and climbed to fourth in the drivers’ standings, boosting Porsche Coanda Esports to third in team rankings.

2. **What track hosted Round 2 of the ESL R1 Autumn Series?**
The event took place on Spa-Francorchamps, a 7.004 km circuit known as the “Ardennes rollercoaster,” using the “Rennsport” simulation platform for virtual racing.

3. **Which Porsche Coanda drivers advanced to the semi-finals?**
All four Porsche Coanda drivers—Mitchell deJong (USA), Mack Bakkum (Netherlands), Dayne Warren, and Joshua Rogers (Australia)—qualified for the semi-finals with strong heat performances.

4. **Why did Dayne Warren drop from sixth to seventh in his semi-final?**
Warren lost sixth place on the final lap when Erhan Jajovski (R8G Esports) overtook him at the Les Combes chicane after a prolonged defensive battle.

5. **How did Joshua Rogers win his semi-final race?**
Starting second, Rogers used Sebastian Job’s slipstream on Kemmel Straight, overtook him at Les Combes, and extended his lead to nearly two seconds for victory.

6. **What penalty affected Maximilian Benecke’s result in the final?**
Despite finishing ahead of Sebastian Job, Benecke (Mouz) received a post-race penalty, promoting Rogers to sixth place in the final standings.

7. **What is the prize pool for the ESL R1 Autumn Championship?**
A $40,000 USD prize pool is allocated for team and driver categories, with the Major Finale in Jönköping, Sweden, on November 24 deciding the winners.

8. **What are the upcoming ESL R1 Autumn Series races?**
Remaining rounds include Hockenheim (Sept 21–22), Nürburgring (Sept 28–29), Monza (Oct 5–6), and three undisclosed races ahead of the November 24 Major Finale.

9. **How does Nina Braack assess Porsche Coanda’s performance?**
Braack noted strong knockout races, praised Rogers’ recovery in the final, and emphasized optimism for Round 3 despite imperfect qualifying.

10. **What challenges did Rogers face in the final?**
Starting tenth due to a suboptimal qualifying lap, Rogers climbed to seventh early but couldn’t advance further in the tightly contested top-eight battle.

11. **How many ESL R1 wins does Joshua Rogers now have?**
Rogers has 18 career ESL R1 wins, reinforcing his status as a dominant force in the series since its inception.

12. **What simulation platform does ESL R1 use?**
ESL R1 races are held on the “Rennsport” platform, a competitive esports simulation designed for high-precision virtual motorsport.

13. **Why did Mack Bakkum fail to reach the final?**
Starting 12th in his semi-final, Bakkum only advanced two positions, missing the top-six cutoff required to qualify for the final.

14. **Where can fans view full results and standings?**
Full results and standings are available at [ESL R1’s official website](https://eslr1.com/fall23-2), updated after each round.

15. **What is the significance of the Major Finale in Jönköping?**
The Major Finale (November 24) concludes the Autumn Series, featuring the top performers competing for titles and a share of the $40,000 prize pool.

**CTA: Follow the Action as the ESL R1 Autumn Series Heats Up!**
Don’t miss a moment of the electrifying ESL R1 Autumn Championship! Dive into the full results and standings [here](https://eslr1.com/fall23-2) and mark your calendars for the next showdown at **Hockenheim (Germany)** on **September 21-22**. Can Joshua Rogers and Porsche Coanda Esports Racing continue their climb? Tune in to find out!

**Conclusion: Resilience and Progress Define Porsche Coanda’s ESL R1 Campaign**
Joshua Rogers’ sixth-place finish in the Spa-Francorchamps final, paired with his record-extending 18th ESL R1 victory in the semi-finals, underscores Porsche Coanda Esports’ growing momentum. With the team now third in the standings and Rogers holding fourth individually, the squad heads to Hockenheim with confidence. While challenges like qualifying precision and last-lap battles remain, their ability to adapt and score crucial points keeps them firmly in title contention. As the series intensifies, all eyes will be on whether Porsche’s virtual 911 GT3 R can dominate the legendary German circuit next.

**Thank You to Our Motorsport Community!**
A heartfelt thank you to the Porsche Coanda Esports Racing team, drivers, and partners for their relentless dedication. To our fans worldwide—your passion fuels this journey! Stay connected with us on social media for live updates, behind-the-scenes content, and exclusive insights as we chase glory in the ESL R1 Autumn Championship. Let’s roar into Hockenheim together! 🏁💨

*#PorscheEsports #ESLR1 #SimRacingExcellence*