New season, new visual identity, and, most importantly, the old adrenaline. SIMmark lifted the curtain last night on the fourth national championship in digital motorsport, category A13, which is held under the auspices of the Croatian Auto and Karting Federation (HAKS). This is the official national e-sport competition for which all drivers had to obtain an electronic license, and the goal of the season is clear - to crown the national champion of Croatia. In front of the audience, TCR touring cars will race through eight rounds: the dominant Audi RS3 and Cupra Leon, along with just four brave drivers in Hyundai Elantras.
The first round took us to the demanding Sachsenring, a short circuit of about a minute and a half, with a technical sector and long left turns that do not forgive. Throughout the evening, as in the past five years, we were guided by Mali Baćo - this time solo, but for the rest of the season, he will be joined by colleague Alma.
Qualifying: Simić sets the tone
The qualifying sessions already hinted at who is in form. Renato Simić drove a 1:24.4 and secured pole position ahead of Matej Mikšić and returnee Adrian Šantić - all three in Audis, which took the top six spots. The fastest in the Cupra was Nikola Močibov, who was also the chief judge of the evening.
Race 1: clean, controlled, Simić's
The first 25 minutes belonged to one man. Simić got off to a great start and never lost the lead, while Mikšić missed the start and immediately fell into the clutches of the competition. Behind the leader, the best story of the race unfolded: the duel between Šantić and Mikšić for second place. Mikšić paid for several of his own mistakes, and Šantić ruthlessly punished him, with the battle stretching all the way to the finish line and nearly a photo finish.
There was also drama. Zvonimir Kranjčec was too aggressive at the start; in heavy traffic, he braked too late and sent Marijo Načinović spinning, knocking him to the back of the pack, and then ended up off the track with damage to his car. However, Načinović showed character - he fought his way back through the ranks and, thanks to the reverse grid system, secured an excellent position for the second race.
At the finish: Simić takes the first victory, trophy, and pole of the season, Šantić comes in second in a brilliant comeback performance, and Mikšić salvages third. Fourth was Matija Beluhan.
Race 2: Kranjčec's powerback and Hyundai on the podium
The second race was run on a reverse grid - the first fifteen from the first race started in the opposite order, so Karlo Posavec came to pole, and the fast guys had to fight their way from the back. Marin Fabijanić started brilliantly and took the lead with his Hyundai, leading the first three laps and bravely defending his position.
But the evening belonged to Kranjčec. After a turbulent first race, Zvonimir Kranjčec shot off like a cannon, made his way through the entire field, set the fastest lap, and confidently raced to victory - a true lesson in redemption. Behind him, Adrian Šantić shone again, finishing in second place and confirming that he was the most complete driver of the evening.
However, the biggest applause was deserved by Dubravko Bumbar. Driving one of the rare Hyundais - one against a fleet of Audis - he secured third place and put the Elantra on the podium. There were also plenty of contacts: a heavy collision between Nenad Volarević and Zvonimir Panian sent Panian to the back, while a dramatic touch between Beluhan and Načinović in the last lap ended under the scrutiny of the judges - the commentator deemed the braking maneuver controversial, so the footage will be analyzed.
Renato Simić and Matej Mikšić, the heroes of the first race, this time finished in sixth and seventh place - a solid recovery from the back of the grid, but below their potential.
Standings: Šantić leads, the season is just heating up
Although the victories were shared between Simić and Kranjčec, the biggest winner of the evening is a man without a victory. Adrian Šantić enters the championship lead with two second places and immediately establishes himself as a title contender. Behind him lurks a whole group of fast drivers, and with the reverse-grid format and clearly equal performances of Audis and Cupres, this season promises uncertainty until the end.
If you missed the live event, you can watch the recording on SIMmarks youtube channel.
What's next
The second round is scheduled for July 1st at the Belgian Zolder, followed by Brands Hatch before the summer break. You can watch all the races live on SIMmark's YouTube channel.
Thank you to all the drivers for their competitiveness and for providing two tense races from start to finish. See you on the track next week when the new race begins!
