ROUND 2 - FRL Season 12: Technical Difficulties and the Return of the 3

 

Ghabe Stouffer #2

The FRL takes to the grid for the second time this season! Despite it being the second race of the season, the race was full of firsts! Hakone is a brand new host to the FRL and what a beautiful track it was. It was also the seasons first night race and first Heat Series on the calendar! It has been a month since the FRL's last event so this gave the racers plenty of time to relax or extra time to run simulations. Who would come out the most prepared? After a few technical issues resulting in a delayed start, we found out.

 

In qualifying we saw a few noticeable call outs! To start was the youngest driver of the grid, Ghabe Stouffer #2, who took pole position in qualifying Sunday night... but unsurprisingly, multi-season champ  Andrew Steppat reclaimed his spot at the top during the final hours. Joey Lamothe #23 secured 3rd and also the highest of his Rookie season career. Another rookie who caught the eye of many was Ace Wethan #99 who also set a personal best of 6th. Now for the races! Heat 1 was an intense race to say the least. Ghabe and Andrew would fight each other for first but Ghabe proved victorious taking the first win of the night! Joey Lamonthe #23 didn't just perform well in qualifying but proved he can fight for his spot as he battled with Steppat and also Preston Liberatore #54 to take 3rd. Sunday we got to enjoy having a longtime familiar face rejoin the grid, Ethan Maestri #3, where he would fight for 7th against his brother, Paul Maestri #8. On the final lap, after exchanging positions throughout the heat, Ethan leaned a bit too hard on his brothers bumper, sending him into the wall. Travis Billingsly would fight for position but in his efforts to avoid contact, he hit a curb that removed all of his downforce, thus causing his car to spin hard into the wall. Fortunately, Travis didn't need medical attention but his car suffered drastically. He then pitted where his crew fixed the damage from the chaos. This resulted in a finish out of the points.  

 

Heat 2 had some shakeups! Preston Liberatore was slated to secure 3rd in a fight with Paul Maestri but due to fuel miscalculations, the car of #54 would begin to stutter and lose power around the hairpin but would maintain enough momentum to cross the line in 4th place. Ace Wethan #99 nabbed 5th again, setting himself up for a solid and consistent race from the rookie! Joey Lamothe #23 tumbled down the standings in this heat after an unforeseen collision with #99. Joey showed excellent poise to fight his way back up to 8th to salvage 4 points for the heat series. 

 

Heat 3 showed a strong and consistent race from all the drivers. Brandon Tretsvan #92 would attain a personal highest by finishing 10th! While not much happened in the standings, there was a 3 way battle for 3rd between Travis Billingsly #18, Preston Liberatore #54, and Joey Lamonthe #23. This battle went on for the final 3 laps of the race all the way up to the finish line! Preston Liberatore #54 made a pass to early in the last lap before the long straight where both Travis and Joey would make their pass on the #54 car. Joey sensed that Travis was playing nice that night and would stick his elbows out to keep Travis behind him up to the finish line! Travis Billingsly #18 did accumulate .70 seconds worth of penalties which was all the Preston Liberatore #54 would need to overtake Travis and secure 4th in the final heat. Paul Maestri, despite having car troubles during the heat, gained two spots after starting behind the field. 

We hope all can make it for the next round of FRL action in South Africa!

FINAL SERIES: Driver Points / Result Points 

P1 Ghabe Stouffer #2 75/25 

P2 Andrew Steppat #001 54/18 

P3 Preston Liberatore #54 36/15 

P4 Joey Lamothe #23 34/12 

P5 Paul Maestri #8 23/10 

P6 Ace Wethan #99 20/8 

P7 Travis Billingsly #18 18/6 

P8 Ethan Maestri #3 18/4 

P9 Matt Smith #12 14/2 

P10 Trent Daniel #15 9/1 

 

Season Standings: Driver Points 

P1 Ghabe Stouffer #2 - 37 

P2 Andrew Steppat #001 - 33 

P3 Preston Liberatore #54 - 33 

P4 Travis Billingsly #18 - 31 

P5 Paul Maestri #8 - 20 

P6 Joey Lamothe #23 - 13 

P7 Ace Wethan #99 -  8 

P7 Matt Smith #12 - 8 

P8 Seth Jensen #6 -  8 

P10 Ethan Maestri  #3 - 4 

P10 Jonah Vines #22 - 4 

P12 Aaron Vines #89 - 2 

P13 Trent Daniel #15 - 1

P14 David Dodson #86 - 0

ROUND 1 - FRL Season 12: Controlled Chaos

Submitted by Preston Liberatore

ROUND 1 WINNER Travis Billingsly

Sunday December 3rd was the start of the FRL's 12th Season! Grand Oak Raceway would host the first race of the season with a whopping 17 drivers on the lineup, so we saw action on nearly every lap! 1st lap was an interesting one as the drivers lined up for a formation lap that the FRL doesn’t see often. 

As all racers sat on the grid the excitement in the air grew. With our Engines revving, the blood was pumping but the tires weren't moving. This caused an issue for turn one as several drivers would lose control of their Honda Civics because they reacted as if they were on ice! For some, this was a moment to strike, but for others, it would cause them to tumble. Tony Tyree in the #47 car would suffer the worst as he took on too much damage when colliding into the barrier than his car could manage. This in turn would retire Tony from race early where he would take last place. Trey Stover #128 could be heard over the team radio multiple times saying "My wheel has disconnected from the car!” This mechanical failure caused Trey to have to make an additional pit stop for the driver to reattach his wheel. However, this led to an exciting battle for 11th as the FIVE cars of Brandon Tretsvan #92, Trey Stover #128, Trent Daniels #15, Max Jordan #66, and Riley Liberatore #42 would fight for that position in the last lap of the race. This bumper to bumper action was hard fought but Max Jordan #66 would be the one to emerge victorious over the other rookie drivers by just 2 seconds. For the others it would be a photo finish as they crossed the line with .01 difference across the remaining 4 racers where the accrued penalties would be the overall deciding factor of the positions! Now we get to the points where Joey Lamothe #23 would score his first point in his first race of the FRL! Finishing above Joey was Aaron Vines #89 who put in an impressive fast lap of 1.19.4 during the race which was 1.5 seconds faster than his qualifying time! But being fast is just as important as strategy, and due to a miscalculation of fuel he would have to pit an extra time eating away his chances of overcoming his brother in the #22 car, Jonah Vines, who would take 8th in the race. We climb up the board a bit more and we had an interesting shake up from our qualifying results to race results! Matt Smith #12 would lose one position throughout the race to take home 7th. Due to the cold tires of Seth Jensen #6 in turn 1 of lap 1, he would catch a quick glimpse of the vehicles behind him as he slide out from 3rd place and would fight with the cars of Ghabe Stouffer #2, Matt Smith #12 and Paul Maestri #8 throughout the race. In a post race interview, Seth Jensen commented that he found himself searching for the wrong gear causing damage to his V-Tech Power Unit respectably earning him 6th place. Ghabe Stouffer had a consistent race pace where he would emerge victorious over the other drivers to grab him the same spot he qualified at in 4th place. Paul was later heard commenting on how clean all the racers drove Sunday evening and was extremely impressed by their sportsmanship and found a great amount of happiness in his 5th place standing. Andrew Steppat #001, the leagues most infamous driver, gave Preston Liberatore #54 a run for his money. For the first 5 laps these 2 drivers would fight tooth and nail staying within .2 seconds of each other as they saw the taillights of Travis Billingsly #18 grow dimmer as he grew his first place lead. After several back and forth action between the two, turn 1 would be the downfall for Andrew as he would struggle to maintain the pace in the first section losing out on 2nd to Preston by just shy of 5 seconds. 

Grand Oak Raceway has been an exciting start to the FRL season and January 5th we will see these racers in Japan at Hakone Circuit for a 3 Heat Event!

 

Standings and points accrued: 

P1 - Travis Billingsly - 25 

P2 - Preston Liberatore - 18 

P3 - Andrew Steppat - 15 

P4 - Ghabe Stouffer - 12

P5 - Paul Maestri - 10 

P6 - Seth Jensen - 8 

P7 - Matt Smith - 6 

P8 - Jonah Vines - 4 

P9 - Aaron Vines - 2 

P10 - Joey Lamothe - 1 

P11 - Max Jordan 

P12 - Trent Daniel 

P13 - Trey Stover 

P14 - Riley Liberatore 

P15 - Brandon Tretsvan 

P16 - Ace Wethan 

P17 - Tony Tyree

The Forzday Racing League Announces Its 12th Season: FRL Winter Spec Series

The Forzday Racing League (FRL) is back, and it's revving up for its 12th season of competitive virtual racing excitement in the new Forza Motorsport! This time, we're thrilled to introduce the FRL Winter Spec Series, featuring the nimble and powerful #73 LA Honda World Racing Civic as the car of choice. The action-packed season is set to kick off on December 3rd, promising a thrilling racing experience for both new and seasoned FRL competitors.

The Car: #73 LA Honda World Racing Civic

For the FRL Winter Spec Series, all participants will get behind the wheel of the #73 LA Honda World Racing Civic. This incredible racing machine can be obtained through the Online Qualifier, ensuring that all drivers start on an even playing field. The #73 Civic comes standard with race tires and aero and is fully tuneable to suit your racing preferences. Please note, these are the only upgrades you can add: Race Brakes and a choice of wheels, resulting in a PI of 697. This setup will provide a dynamic and competitive racing experience for all participants.

Race Schedule

The FRL Winter Spec Series will take you on a global tour of exciting tracks, offering a diverse range of challenges. Here's the season's race schedule:

1. December 3rd: Grand Oak Raceway – USA

   • Single race event, spanning 27 laps.
   • Mandatory pit stop to add a strategic twist to the competition.   

2. January 7th: Hakone – Japan

   • 3 Heat Race Event, with 8 laps per heat.

    
   

3. January 21st: Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit – Midrand, South Africa

   • Another 3 Heat Race Event, this time with 6 laps per heat.

    

4. February 11th: Mid-Ohio Sports Car Circuit (Short Course) – Ohio, USA

   • A single race event, covering 32 laps.
   • Mandatory pit stop, adding strategy to the mix.

   
   

5. March 3rd: Suzuka – Suzuka, Japan

   • The season's grand finale is a 3 Heat Race Event, with 5 laps per heat. 

       

Qualifying

To determine your starting position on the grid for each race, we'll be using Forza Rivals as the qualifying method. Seth, our seasoned FRL expert, will be monitoring the Rivals board each Friday night at 10:05 PM Eastern Time before the scheduled race for posted times. Here are some important qualifying details:

• Rivals times will be used to build the race grid for each race.
• For heat race events, the rivals time will be used as qualifying for the first heat only.
• Second and third heat grids will be built in reverse based on previous heat race results.
• Please note that no lap times will be accepted after Friday 10:06 PM Eastern Time.
• Any driver racing on Sunday who has not posted a rivals time will start at the back of the grid.

Rules

As with all FRL seasons, typical FRL rules apply as deemed by "The Board" and stewards. These rules ensure fair and competitive racing while maintaining the spirit of sportsmanship that has made FRL such a beloved community. Please keep in mind that this is a new game, several new drivers, and new race direction. There may be some hiccups starting out, but hopefully with this shorter starter series and simpler rules we can make it a success. 

In the spirit of friendly competition, we encourage everyone to race hard but race fair. While we acknowledge that minor bumps and nudges are inevitable in the heat of the moment, let's be mindful of the fine line between spirited competition and reckless behavior. If you find yourself inadvertently nudging a fellow racer off the track, and it's within your power to avoid it, do show some sportsmanship. Waiting until they're back up and running not only showcases your respect for your fellow competitors but also adds a touch of integrity to our races.

We usually strive to keep race communications focused on race-impacting announcements, such as pit in or out, caution at specific corners, and other vital updates. By keeping our in-game chat reserved for these essential notifications, we can ensure that everyone is well-informed and that the race runs smoothly for all participants.

FRL DRIVER ROSTER 2023

ANDREW STEPPAT - #001 | GHABE STOUFFER - #2 | ETHAN MAESTRI - #3 - RETIRED | DREW DILBECK - #29 | NICHOLAS HARGROVE - #5 | SETH JENSEN - #6 | PAUL MAESTRI - #8 | BLAKE WILDE - #9 | TRAVIS BILLINGSLEY - #18 | JONAH (ECHO) VINES - #22 | JOEY LAMOTHE - #23 | MIKEY COLLINS - #27 | TONY TYREE - #47 | PRESTON LIBERATORE - #54 | RICKY WILBORN JR. - #84 | DAVID (DAVO) DODSON - #86 | BRANDON ADKINS - #88 | AARON (STILZ) VINES - #89 | BRANDON TRETSVEN - #92 | WESLEY (ACE) WATHEN - #99 | TREY (PANCAKE) STOVER - #128 | BRYAN DEAN - #808 | MEYER PIGOTT - #00 | BRANDON TRETSVEN #92 | TRENT DANIEL #15 |  MATT SMITH #12 | MAX JORDAN #66

 

 

FRL Gamertags:

ROADIE TONY – Tony Tyree

Echoand5s22 – Jonah

liilliill#2835 – Max Jordan, (Lazor)

jojofet – Joey Lamothe

Breezyncrdbl – Drew

VonRabbet – Preston

Spicy#9410 – Ghabe

TRIPL3 Dlll – David (Davo)

tsto128 – Trey (pancake)

ROBOSTIG – Paul

Myopiceagl3 – Ethan

LoneSpy – Travis

WHSK3YBENT – Seth

stilz96 – Aaron

AceHarndwire – Wesley

MISTERCHIEF25 – Andrew

mrbubbles4545 – Meyer Pigott

Greywolfe#3157 - Brandon Tretsven 

TCountrynerd - Trent Daniel

IMVERYIMPORTANT - Matt Smith

Lights out!

The FRL Winter Spec Series is poised to be a thrilling season for competitors.Whether you're a seasoned FRL racer or a newcomer looking to dive into the world of competitive Forza racing, the FRL Winter Spec Series is an event you won't want to miss! Get your #73 LA Honda World Racing Civic ready, and let's hit the track for an unforgettable season of racing action.

 

 

 

Season 11 Concluded With New Champions At Road Atlanta

  Season 11 concluded and the FRL says goodbye to Forza 7 with a final event at Road Atlanta. Andrew Steppat stormed to the front of the Prototype class and won. A late race crash by Paul Maestri opened the door for Matt Smith to pass for the lead for the race win. Travis Billingsley finished second and completed his championship run in the DP class. Matt Smith holds on to his thin lead in the points and caps it off with his victory at Road Atlanta, becoming an FRL series champion for the first time in the GT class. Congratulations to both champions and to all that have made the FRL a success over the years. 

DP Result

1. Andrew Steppat

2. Travis Billingsley

3, Ethan Maestri

GT Result

1. Matthew Smith

2. Paul Maestri

3. Tony Tyree

Championship Points Final:

DP

1. Travis Billingsley - 335 points

2. Ethan Maestri - 325 points

3. Andrew Steppat - 267 points

4. Andrew Stouffer - 120 points

GT

1. Matthew Smith - 272 points

2. Paul Maestri - 250 points

3. Bryan Dean - 220 points

4. Tony Tyree - 197 points

5. Nicholas Hargrove - 80 points

6. Blake Wild - 80 points

7. Seth Jensen - 65 points

8. Adam Casselman - 30 points

9. Brandon Adkins - 28 points 

Season 11 - Laguna Seca

  The race was short again at Laguna Seca as 5 cars, 3 DP & 2 GT cars took the green flag for a 30 minute race. Andrew Steppat takes top step again in the DP class. Matthew Smith takes top honors in GT. 

 Matt Smith also takes the lead in the series points in the GT class heading into the final event at Road Atlanta on Feb. 6th.

DP Class:

Andrew Steppat - 50 points

Ethan Maestri - 40 points

Travis Billingsley - 35 points

GT Class:

Matthew Smith - 50 points

Tony Tyree - 40 points

Points After 7 of 8 events:

DP Class 

Travis Billingsley - 295 points

Ethan Maestri - 290 points

Andrew Steppat - 217 points

Andrew Stouffer - 120 points

GT Class

Matt Smith - 222 points

Bryan Dean - 220 points

Paul Maestri - 210 points

Tony Tyree - 162 points

Nicholas Hargrove - 80 points

Blake Wild - 80 points

Seth Jensen - 65 points

Adam Casselman - 30 points

Brandon Adkins - 28 points

Season 11 - CoTA

 DP Class:

Andrew Steppat - 50

Travis Billingsley - 40

Ethan Maestri - 35

GT Class:

Blake Wild - 50

Points After 6 or 8 Events:

DP Class:

Travis Billingsley - 260 points

Ethan Maestri - 250 points

Andrew Steppat - 167 points

Ghabe Stouffer - 120 points

GT Class:

Bryan Dean - 220 points

Paul Maestri - 210 points

Matt Smith - 172 points

Tony Tyree - 122 points

Nicholas Hargrove - 80 points

Blake Wild - 80 points

Seth Jensen - 65 points

Adam Casselman - 30 points

Brandon Adkins - 28 points

Season 11 Results - Road America

  Here are the results from the just concluded Season 11 FRL race at Road America.

DP Class 

1.) Andrew Steppat - 50 points

2.) Travis Billingsley - 40 points

3.) Ethan Maestri - 35 points

GT Class

1.) Paul Maestri - 50 points

2.) Bryan Dean - 40 points

3.) Matt Smith - 35 points

4.) Tony Tyree - 32 points

5.) Adam Casselman - 30 points

Points After 5 of 8 Events

DP Class

1. Travis Billingsley - 220 points

2. Ethan Maestri - 215 points

3. Ghabe Stouffer - 120 points

4. Andrew Steppat - 117 points

GT Class

1. Bryan Dean - 220 points

2. Paul Maestri - 210 points

3. Matt Smith - 172 points

4. Tony Tyree - 122 points

5. Nicholas Hargrove - 80 points

6. Seth Jensen - 65 points

7. Blake Wild - 30 points

8. Adam Casselman - 30 points

9. Brandon Adkins - 28 points

 Andrew Steppat makes his presence felt once again as he puts the rest of the DP field down by more than 40 seconds to take the class win, his first of the season. Paul Maestri does the bump-n-run on Bryan Dean to move into the lead in the late stages of the race to pick up the victory, and narrows the points gap to just 10 in their championship battle. Travis moves into the points lead, with Ethan Maestri just 5 points behind. 

 We break until mid-January, where we'll pick up racing action again at Circuit of the Americas on January 16th, 2022.