- AMERICAS FINAL
- Rubilar (FT_NicoR) Self-Destructs! Fraga (IOF_RACING17) Wins Race 2 Without Breaking a Sweat!
- Nations Cup: Americas Final
- 05/11/2018
The front of Race 2's starting grid lined up as follows: Chile's Fabián Portilla (FT_Mcqueen91) in an AMG GT3, the USA's Andrew McCabe (TRL_doodle) in an RC F GT3, Chile's Nicolás Rubilar (FT_NicoR) in a Viper GT3-R, and Brazil's Igor Fraga (IOF_RACING17) in a Viper GT3-R.
Rubilar (FT_NicoR) and Fraga (IOF_RACING17) had been two of the hot pre-tournament favourites, but both had had disappointing first races. They were therefore under pressure to turn their fortunes around by performing well here.
Rubilar (FT_NicoR) - the only driver who'd opted for soft tyres - got off to a flying start.
Making the most of his tyres' grip, he weaved his way through the tight curves of the Mount Panorama Circuit and moved up to second place. By the time they'd hit the first lap's back straight, Rubilar (FT_NicoR) was hot on the heels of Portilla (FT_Mcqueen91), and was eventually able to pass him and take the lead.
On the third lap, Fraga (IOF_RACING17) did brilliantly to spot Portilla (FT_Mcqueen91)'s slight tailslide, and acted decisively to overtake him and move into second place.
Rubilar (FT_NicoR)'s soft tyres had worn out by the third lap, and he had to take a pit stop. Unfortunately, it resulted in disaster.
Despite having a reputation for hardly ever making a mistake in the online series, Rubilar (FT_NicoR) managed to enter a spin on his way into the pits. The crowd in the stands reacted with audible shock as they witnessed the king of the online series self-destructing. Rubilar (FT_NicoR)'s hopes of winning the race now lay in tatters.
It was Fraga (IOF_RACING17) who reacted best to Rubilar (FT_NicoR)'s misfortune. Before long, he had consolidated his lead, and opened up a significant gap over Portilla (FT_Mcqueen91) in second place.
Despite finishing Race 1 in fourth place, and starting Race 2 in fourth place on the grid, Fraga (IOF_RACING17) stuck to his race strategy to great success. After taking the lead on the third lap, it was a simple cruise to the finishing line, and his victory was never in doubt.
