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Many of the Nations Cup racers moved directly into qualifying for the 2018 FIA Gran Turismo Manufacturer Series where drivers compete to represent their chosen manufacturer.

The 14-lap race was held at the instantly recognisable Autodromo Nazionale Monza, acceleration and top speed the order of the day. A 1:48.233 placed TRL_LIGHTNING (Nissan) was on pole position for the penultimate Superstars event of the year after a tantalisingly close qualifying session, the top 15 separated by just a second. No manufacturer had a clear advantage; seven different cars filling the top seven grid positions.

Second-placed derek737_DK_ (Volkswagen)’s GTI VGT put its power down best as the lights went out, holding onto the lead out of the infamous opening chicane. Absolute carnage unfolded behind as cars bumped and barged into each other through the tight chicane, Jomas_74 (Jaguar) and force_ewerby (Mercedes) suffering the most as they tumbled out of the top 15.

TRL_LIGHTNING (Nissan) and RC_Zoky88 (Dodge) jostled for the top five, before TRL_LIGHTNING missed the chicane and was forced to drop down to 11th. RC_Miura (Toyota) soon made quick work of RC_Zoky88 (Dodge) as the Brit slowed to serve his penalty.

Oscaro_SkyPikmin (Lexus) briefly benefitted from the penalties ahead but almost immediately found himself swarmed by the likes of mclaren6 (Chevrolet), JAdams2010 (Mitsubishi) and rick-918-bmx (Porsche) who fought four-abreast for the podium. The door-bashing action continued behind while mclaren6 and JAdams2010 managed to just edge ahead of the brawl. Pole setter TRL_LIGHTNING had a big moment on the end of lap five, his battle-damaged GT-R GT3 managing to cling to fifth position.

Pit stops predictably came mid-race, the field so close that no one was able to make any real gains. mclaren6’s Chevrolet continued to chase JAdams2010’s Mitsubishi, the French driver serving his penalty early and dropping to third briefly. With the majority of the field carrying penalties from the opening carnage, and some subsequent chicane cuts, positions changed constantly as each driver tried their best to serve them.

TRL_LIGHTNING was a man on the move, attempting a very ambitious pass on mthomas_95 (Ferrari) through the chicane. The late move saw him clip the curb and pick up another penalty, gifting the position back to mthomas_95 immediately.

With just two laps remaining, the penalties were sure to come into play as all but seven drivers had time to serve. RC_Miura (Toyota) rapidly gained on mclaren6, passing the Chevrolet for second as the final lap began. But the move also brought JAdams2010 (Mitsubishi) and TRL_LIGHTNING (Nissan) into the podium battle as RC_Miura (Toyota) suffered on corner exit. The four cars were again locked together as they crossed the line, a photo finish eventually deciding the remaining podium positions.

With all the drama and action behind, derek737_DK_ (Volkswagen)’s faultless drive went almost unnoticed, the Czech driver wrapping up victory over ten seconds clear of second place. Victory guarantees derek737_DK_ a spot representing Volkswagen in the finals for the EMEA region.

RC_Miura (Toyota) kept himself out of trouble in the closing stages of the race for second place, edging TRL_LIGHTNING (Nissan) by 0.7s after the dramatic final lap.

JAdams2010 (Mitsubishi) and mclaren6 (Chevrolet) completed the top five after serving their penalties at the line.

RC_Zoky88 (Dodge), mthomas_95 (Ferrari), force_ewerby (Mercedes), Oscaro_Ugo (Nissan) and rick-918-bmx (Porsche) rounded out a top ten which again saw a huge variety of manufacturers battling together.

Can anyone overthrow GTP_Aderrrm’s lead in the FIA GT Championship Nations Cup to head off to the Nations Cup Regional Finals as the highest scorer? Who will represent Nissan in the Manufactuer Series? Just one Top 24 Superstars event remains, taking place on 08 September, to decide all this and more.