With the largest spectacle in digital motorsports in the rearview mirror, the team reflects back on the hard work that every driver put into the preparation for one of the Crown Jewels of Motorsport.  The 2025 Daytona 24 was a test true test of skill, strategy, and grit, and pushed each Impact Simsport team to the very limit.  With an event this large, with the weather forecast as formidable as it was, each team would need more than skill to bring their car across the finish line after hundreds of laps at the iconic Florida circuit - luck favored some, but not all - Impact Simsport was no exception.  While 5 Impact teams entered the race, only 2 crossed the finish line a day later - the perilous weather claimed 3 groups of highly skilled drivers throughout the race.  Although Daytona resulted in heartache for some Impact teams, the event was an overall success.  The team showed great chemistry and discipline in the weeks leading up to the race - weekly practices and driver's meetings showed the team's dedication to being great.  While each driver can look back at some point in the race and wish something had gone differently, the team as a whole continued to build its foundation to become a true competitor in digital motorsports.  With two teams finishing in the top 5, one of which stood a step below the race winners in P2, this race marks the beginning of a bright future for Impacts Simsport’s 2025 season.

Results:

Impact Simsport - White (GTP) - P2 (Split #13)

Impact Simsport - Blue (LMP2) - P4 (Split #2)

Impact Simsport - Black (GTP) - DNF (Split #7)

Impact Simsport - Chrome (GTP) - DNF (Split #24)

Impact Simsport - Purple (GTD) - DNF (Split #15)

Impact Simsport White - P2 (GTP)

After a difficult qualifying session to begin their race weekend, the #16 Acura ARX-06 GTP started towards the rear of the GTP field in P22.  With a full day’s worth of racing ahead of them, the team was unfazed by their position at the back of the pack - knowing there was plenty of time on the clock to fight towards the front.  With Kevin Oetelaar behind the wheel to start, the team started with a strong foot forward with consistent, clean driving keeping the team in the fight.  As the first few hours passed, Kevin Oetelaar and Antti Tuominen continued their charge through the field, bringing the #16 to P12 only 6 hours into the race.  The two drivers would continue to switch off before Eric Biggs would join the rotation to add another driver into the mix.  With hours of mostly clean racing, the tropical rains only slowed the team down in the pits, with a handful of stop-and-go’s being handed out due to a slick pit entry.  

This didn’t stop the team from their forward charge, and as the sunset in Daytona, Liam Kilton would begin his stints, alternating with Eric Biggs through the dark and rainy night - the two drivers eventually were able to build on the successful first half of the race, and eventually hoisting the #16 to P4.  As day broke over the southern peninsula, the team co yours to battle the weather, a second round of rain troubled all teams in the race, and led to the remaining podium sitters needing repairs - lifting the #16 to P2, but still 4 laps behind the leaders.  As the final hours dwindled, the team was able to close the gap to the leaders to just one lap down, but as the clock ran down to zero, the team was still enthusiastic about finishing the race, and with Antti Tuominen behind the wheel for the last stint, the Fin brought the team across the finish in a hard-fought P2.

With a successful first race in the books, the team reflected on the hard work that went into the preparation for the Daytona 24, understanding that the hours of practice and preparation were the cornerstone of their success.  As he crossed the finish line once more during his cooldown lap, Antti lit up the rears in T1 and put down a dozen Daytona donuts in celebration. 

Impact Simsport Blue - P4 (LMP2)

Impact Simsport Black - DNF

After a dominant performance in the first quarter of the race, the Impact Simsport team had a strong hold on the lead of the race - after an impressive qualifying session putting the team near the top of the pack.  The team was able to reach the front and extend their lead, putting almost 2 laps between them and the car behind in P2.  The team's luck would shortly run out when the rain soaked the track, and a slight touch of the slick outer white line into T1 sent the team’s Acura into the barriers, forcing a tow and a lengthy repair putting them out of the lead.  

After repairing their prototype, the team continued to battle hard trying to reclaim every position they could, making up multiple places around the rain-soaked circuit.  Again, however, the team would have a stroke of bad luck, with a second incident that sent their prototype to the pits for repairs.  Due to the extent of the damage, the team was put out of front-running contention, and with heavy hearts, the team decided to retire the car - putting a somber ending to their Dayonta 24 campaign.

Written By: Liam Kilton