LIONHEART HEADS TO BELGIUM FOR FIRST TIME IN LEAGUE HISTORY

The Lionheart Indycar Series has hit many famous tracks over the course of its 6 seasons, but never has it tackled the picturesque setting in the middle of the Ardennes forest that is home to the legendary circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. Never before, that is; because this week the drivers of the premier open wheel series on iRacing are changing that. Round 14 of the 2018 Season is the long overdue HPP Grand Prix of Belgium. Not only is the race sponsored by HPP Simulation, but HPP is awarding the season champion their top of the line HSW-F Sim wheel valued at $1490. HPP produces not just wheels but hydraulic pedals as well, and nothing that HPP does is designed to be 2nd best. To look at some of the finest wheels and pedals on the market today, go to www.hppsimulation.com.

Last week out in Texas it was Justin Weaver surviving a late race last lap restart to take his first ever Lionheart IndyCar win. Weaver was able to hold off Andrew Kinsella and Brian Yaczik to claim that win. While Weaver started on pole and was around the top 5 most of the day, Kinsella and Yaczik both faced tremendous adversity and were surprising to even be in the top 3 at the end of the night. Kinsella had a poor qualifying effort and a speeding penalty that saw him in 35th place after just 30 of the 133 laps.

Yaczik meanwhile was forced to take a rear wing replacement after some light contact on a late run.  Both drivers were able to use some pit strategy and some fancy passing to get themselves back in contention. Rounding out the top 5 were Bob Mikes and Adam Blocker. Mikes had spent the majority of his day in the bottom half of the top 10, but use d a strong run at the end to inject himself into the top 5. Blocker meanwhile is left wondering what could have been, after a potentially large points pickup versus his teammate is left at a deficit. Blocker lead 6 laps, but faded late in the event.
From the high banks of Texas, to the forests of the Ardennes, this will be the first time that the Lionheart Series visits Spa.  The event will be extremely challenging for the drivers as it is extremely easy to acquire incident points for off tracks.  The series has a maximum allowed incident point total of 17 before drivers are disqualified.

After drop weeks Adam Blocker sits just 9 points back from the points leader Andrew Kinsella.  If the Adrenaline Motorsports teammates continue this close battle down the stretch the championship could be decided at the finale at Auto Club Speedway.

Justin Weaver, coming off his first Lionheart IndyCar Series victory, sets his sights on the new circuit.  Gaining 2 positions in the standings Weaver currently sits in 9th in points (with drop weeks considered). Weaver has shown promise on the road courses as well as the ovals, running in the top five at a few of the events so far. Can the rookie use his first win as a spring board to greater success as drivers like Adam Blocker, Andrew Kinsella and Brian Yaczik have before him?

Stephen Laarkamp jumped 3 positions in the standings after Round 13 and now sits in the top 5 overall. The Lionheart Rookie has enjoyed a quietly successful debut season. Rarely rocking the boat, but putting in those good solid performances that can bring home a championship in the future. Laarkamp is another that has shown he is fast on both road and oval. Will the long straights at Spa be to the rookies liking?

Yaczik, sitting in P3 overall, has not given up on his 2018 season.  Yaczik aka "The Beard" is still within striking distance and sits 65 points back from Kinsella.  Yaczik has shown he can hang with Kinsella on the road courses, but he will have to find a way to finish ahead of road ace of Adam Bocker to gain any ground on the leaders. Will this be the breakout road performance Yaczik needs to restart his championship?
Dan Geren continues his bad luck this year after being involved in an incident with Big Joe Hassert.  Geren dominated much of the first half of the race, but was involved in an unfortunate incident when Hassert misjudged a move to the inside of the Synergy driver, as the two raced for the lead. The Iowa driver finished the race in 33rd and fell 4 spots to 8th overall (after drops).  Will Spa be the breakthrough that Geren needs to get his season back on track? Despite his bad luck he sits just 115 points back of Kinsella for the championship lead, again when drop races are considered.

Team standings remain the same through the top 4 with Adrenaline Motorsport leading No Name Racing.  Controlled Chaos gained 1 position and currently sits P5 in the Team Standings (after drops). The fight for 5th through 9th is where all the action is at the moment with the team championship, however if Blocker and Kinsella falter, will Adrenaline Motorsports be able to retain their lead?
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The IndyCar Series has enjoyed its new relationship with the iRacing E Sports Network or iESN.  The network will host its 3rd event broadcast by GSRC. To catch all the Lionheart action you can handle, tune into the HPP Grand Prix of Belgium only on GSRC, iESN and iRacing Live on Wednesday September 12th at 10:35pm EDT.