To the Green-Hell and Back - Worx Sim Racing Brings Home Double Podium Finish in NEC Round 8 

For the 8th round of the Nürburgring Endurance Championship, the boys at Worx Sim Racing showed up with three different teams to do battle around the Green Hell: WorxSimRacing.com #48 and #16 competing in the GT4 class in Saturday evening’s top split, and the #33 car competed in Saturday morning’s GT3 class. The 4 hours around the Nürburgring were as chaotic as ever, with each team encountering its own challenges throughout the race and facing an uphill grind to produce competitive results by the time the checkered flag fell in the German hills.

WorxSimRacing.com #16

After negotiating a strategy to tackle the Nürburgring’s wet qualifying conditions competitively, Corbin Lenaway was able to position the car on the second row with a strong P3 performance. After a solid first qualifying lap, the #16 gambled on a “banker lap” to allow for the wet tires to come up to temperature for an even faster second attempt—which unfortunately did not pay off, as they were unable to progress up the timetables. However, starting from the second row was nothing to scoff at, considering the conditions.

Following his qualifying performance, Corbin Lenaway started behind the wheel for his first of two stints around the Nürburgring. Shortly after the green flag was waved to begin the race, the #16 found its way into P2, biting at the heels of the pole sitter early on in the first lap. As the opening lap progressed, the pole sitters were able to break the tow from the #16 and extend their lead in the early stages of the race. In an effort to catch the leaders, Corbin upped the pace of the Mercedes, setting the fastest laps around the Ring before coming into the pits for a full service, then heading back out for the second half of his double stint.

As the weather cleared and the chances of rain dropped, Corbin continued his second stint as the fastest car in the GT4 class—working with the WorxSimRacing.com #48 to coordinate optimal timing to come into the pits for slick dry tires. This strategy allowed both teams to maximize the performance of the studded wet tires and was pivotal for the success of the #16’s campaign for a podium position. After a successful second stint, the WorxSimRacing.com #16 was brought in for a full service and driver change, putting Matt Bisceglia at the helm. In an attempt to cut the delta to the leaders, the #16 changed to dry tires, hoping that the increased pace of the slicks would bring them within striking distance of the leaders. After gaining 10 seconds on his out-lap, Matt was able to wheel the AMG to the front of the order, putting it over 30 seconds ahead of the former leaders. Just as the #16 had asserted a dominant lead over P2, a stroke of bad luck dampened their performance. As the track continued to dry, pockets of water were still lurking around the Green Hell, sending unsuspecting drivers into the narrow barriers. Unfortunately, the #16 was not immune to the existing conditions. On the 3rd lap of his already dominant stint, a slight brush with the slick painted lines sent the #16 off track and into the barriers, where they were shown the meatball flag for the damage sustained during the accident.

After the accident, Matt brought the #16 back into the pits to complete the mandatory repairs. To reduce the time spent in the pits, the decision was made not to take new tires. This unexpected stop jeopardized the #16’s original plan, forcing a change in race strategy to stay competitive with the leaders, who had regained the lead while repairs were underway. After returning to the race in P3, Matt Bisceglia put his head down and began to take the fight to the teams in front, regaining P2 after a costly error by the former runner-ups, granting the second spot back to the #16. To try and catch the leaders in any way possible, the #16 leveraged the extra lap of fuel from the original stint to limit the time spent in the final splash-and-go stop required to finish the race. The #16 was brought in with 4 laps remaining, and after exiting the pits 20 seconds behind the leaders, Matt Bisceglia pushed the Mercedes to the limits for the next 3 laps, closing the gap to the leaders by seconds each lap. When the checkered flag finally fell at the Nürburgring, Matt brought the WorxSimRacing.com #16 across the line, finishing only 10 seconds behind the leader and claiming P2 after four hours of hard-fought racing.

WorxSimRacing.com #48

With a difficult qualifying session in the books, Eric Biggs qualified the WorxSimRacing.com #48 in P8, starting at the tail end of the GT4 field. The team faced an uphill battle right from the start, especially after an early incident forced the car into the pits for repairs. However, the crew executed a quick turnaround, and once back on track, the #48 began to find its rhythm, turning steady laps despite the tricky conditions.

As the race progressed, Eric Biggs, and teammate Dexter Castro, demonstrated remarkable skill and adaptability. They effectively navigated the unpredictable weather and shifting track conditions, steadily climbing the order. The duo was strategic in their approach, focusing on maintaining consistent pace while assessing tire performance. To further support the WorxSimRacing.com #16, the #48 team took on the additional responsibility of collecting valuable data on track conditions, testing the viability of dry tires on a surface still affected by moisture.

Midway through the race, as conditions began to improve, the #48 capitalized on their earlier experience with the wet tires to execute a flawless pit stop. This decision proved crucial as it allowed them to gain vital track position. With Dexter now behind the wheel, he pushed the car to its limits, executing a series of laps that saw the #48 climbing higher in the standings. Their efforts were not just about individual performance; they were also crucial in aiding their sister car, the #16, in its pursuit of the lead. As the final stages of the race approached, the #48 was now firmly in contention for a podium spot, with a showcase performance, the WorxSimRacing.com #48 crossed the finish line in an impressive P3, rounding out the podium. 

WorxSimRacing.com #33

The WorxSimRacing.com #33, piloted solely by Kevin van den Oetelaar, faced an uphill challenge from the outset, starting the race in P52. As the only driver for his team, Kevin prepared for an intense Ironman stint around the iconic Nürburgring— in a grueling 4-hour test. With no teammates to share the burden, the pressure was squarely on Kevin's shoulders, demanding both physical stamina and unwavering concentration.

From the moment the green flag waved, Kevin displayed an impressive level of discipline, quickly establishing a rhythm in his McLaren 720. He navigated the early laps with caution, focusing on preserving the car while meticulously assessing the track conditions. As the race unfolded, Kevin's determination shone through, and with every lap, he meticulously picked off competitors.

Despite the physical demands of racing solo for an extended period, Kevin's consistency never wavered, optimizing his strategy to keep a competitive edge in the race.  Crossing the finish line in P28, Kevin's accomplishment was nothing short of remarkable. Climbing over half the field while racing alone demonstrated not only his driving talent but also his mental resilience. With no time for rest or respite, finishing the race was an impressive achievement on its own.

One round remains in the 2024 iRacing Nurburgring Endurance Championship, and Worx Sim Racing looks to finish strong next month to finish off the season.