In an impressive display of skill and determination, Joshua Rogers, the talented driver representing the esteemed Porsche Coanda Esports Racing team, secured a commendable sixth-place finish in the highly anticipated final of round two of the ESL R1 Autumn Championship. In a stunning display of skill and determination, the Australian athlete emerged victorious in his highly anticipated semi-final race. In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Rogers secured his 18th triumph in the burgeoning ESL R1 series. In a remarkable display of skill and determination, the 23-year-old driver has successfully secured a coveted spot in the highly competitive world of motorsports, currently holding an impressive fourth place in the drivers' standings. In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Porsche Coanda Esports has surged up the team rankings, securing an impressive third position.
In the second round of the ESL R1 Autumn Series, the virtual stage was set on the renowned Spa-Francorchamps circuit, famously known as the "Ardennes rollercoaster." Spanning an impressive distance of 7.004 kilometers, this challenging track provided the backdrop for intense racing action on the esteemed "Rennsport" simulation platform. In a thrilling display of skill and determination, the knockout round on Thursday evening witnessed a remarkable achievement by all four Porsche Coanda Esports factory drivers. With their digital 911 GT3 R machines, these talented individuals showcased their prowess and secured coveted spots in the highly anticipated semi-finals. Hailing from different corners of the globe, Mitchell deJong from the USA and Mack Bakkum from the Netherlands showcased their exceptional abilities, earning themselves top-four finishes in the qualifying rounds. Meanwhile, the dynamic duo of Dayne Warren and Joshua Rogers from Australia proved their mettle by clinching second place in their respective heats, accumulating valuable points along the way. The stage is now set for an exhilarating showdown in the upcoming semi-finals.
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, DeJong and Warren took on the challenge of the first semi-final. The American driver secured a respectable tenth place on the starting grid but unfortunately failed to make any progress during the race. In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Warren valiantly held onto his sixth-place position against the relentless pursuit of Erhan Jajovski throughout the entirety of the Belgian Grand Prix Circuit. The battle between these two fierce competitors was nothing short of intense, with Warren expertly fending off Jajovski's advances, lap after lap. However, fate took an unexpected turn on the final lap of the race, as the Macedonian driver from Team R8G Esports seized a golden opportunity and surged ahead of Warren in a breathtaking maneuver at the Les Combes chicane. Warren, the determined competitor, concluded the second round of the ESL R1 Autumn tournament with a respectable seventh-place finish.
In a stunning display of determination and skill, Mack Bakkum took to the stage for the second semi-final, commencing from the twelfth and final position. Despite making progress by moving up two positions, he ultimately fell short of achieving a top-six finish. In an impressive display of skill and precision, Rogers executed a flawless departure from the second position. In a thrilling display of skill and strategy, our protagonist seized the opportunity presented by Sebastian Job's slipstream on the extensive Kemmel straight during the opening lap. With precision and finesse, our driver expertly maneuvered past the talented British G2 Esports driver at the iconic Les Combes corner. In a remarkable display of dominance within the realm of sim racing, the Porsche Coanda driver solidified their position at the finish line with an impressive lead that had expanded to nearly two seconds. This undeniable demonstration of power left spectators in awe as the driver showcased their exceptional skills and prowess in the virtual racing world. In a stunning display of skill and determination, Rogers secured his 18th victory in the ESL R1 series, solidifying his dominance in the relatively nascent competition.
The 23-year-old Australian became the focal point of the Porsche Works team's aspirations for the final. During the qualifying session, Rogers managed to secure the tenth-fastest lap time, showcasing his impressive speed on the track. As the race commenced, he swiftly maneuvered through the field, making a remarkable comeback and settling into seventh place after the opening lap. In a thrilling display of skill and determination, the top eight race cars engaged in a fierce battle, their bumpers practically touching as they vied for victory. However, despite the intense competition, the driver representing Porsche Coanda Esports found themselves unable to gain any additional ground. In a surprising turn of events, German racer Maximilian Benecke, also known as Mouz, faced a penalty despite crossing the finish line ahead of Sebastian Job. This turn of events allowed Rogers to secure a commendable sixth-place position.
In a fashion reminiscent of the highly anticipated ESL R1 spring series, the autumn championship has unveiled its inaugural edition, featuring an impressive lineup of eight exhilarating races. Spanning from its commencement to the 11th of November, this thrilling championship promises to captivate racing enthusiasts worldwide. In a thrilling announcement, it has been confirmed that the highly anticipated major final is scheduled to take place in Jönköping, Sweden, a mere two weeks from now. A substantial prize of $40,000 USD awaits the winners in both the team and driver categories.
Quotes after the race
Nina Braack (Manager Esports at Porsche Motorsport): “We came through the knock-out races well on Thursday with all four drivers and achieved two second and two fourth-place finishes. On Friday, Joshua Rogers was the only qualifier for the final. Unfortunately, his qualifying round was not quite perfect but he got off the line well at the start of the race and worked his way up the field. Again, we’re taking away important insights and heading into round three of the ESL R1 season in a fortnight feeling optimistic.” Jörn Jens (D, Team Manager Porsche Coanda Esports Racing): “It’s great that we got all four drivers into the semi-finals on Thursday with decent placings. Joshua scored good points by winning the semi-final. In the final, he managed to make up some ground after a mediocre qualifying. It was particularly unfortunate that Dayne Warren dropped out of the top six just before the end of his semi-final race.” Joshua Rogers (AUS, Porsche Coanda Esports Racing): “All in all, I feel positive about today’s second round of the ESL R1. I won the semi-final race from second place on the grid, which was great. The final was a bit more challenging. My qualifying lap was okay, but unfortunately not perfect – considering the high level of competition, it was only enough for tenth place on the grid. But I was able to make up some positions and bring home important points. Two finals in a row, we have to continue this streak.”
Results
1. Sebastian Job, BMW M4 GT3 (UK, G2 Esports) 2. Erhan Jajovski, Audi R8 LMS GT3 evo II (MZ, R8G Esport) 3. Daire McCormack, Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo (IRL, Williams Esports) 6. Joshua Rogers, Porsche 911 GT3 R (AUS, Porsche Coanda Esports Racing) Full results and points standings: https://eslr1.com/fall23-2
2023 ESL R1 autumn series
31.8/1.9 Monza (I) 7./8.9 Spa-Francorchamps (B) 21./22.9 Hockenheim (D) 28./29.9 Nürburgring (D) 5./6.10 Monza (I) 28./27.10 Race 6 (tbd) 2./3.11 Race 7 (tbd) 9./10.11 Race 8 (tbd) 24.11 Major Finale Jönköping (S)