The Last Garage debuted (in competition form) at last year’s Sim Formula Europe event, and it returned again with a brand new car and track to provide the competitors, some of whom qualified on the weekend around an ice track, very little preparation.
16 drivers took part, with returning champion Devin Braune, three online qualifiers, two wildcard entries and 10 in-person qualifiers split into two semifinals, before a last chance race setting up the final. The track, Zolder, the car, a Donkervoort.
In the first semi-final, Geelhoed started from first and controlled the race, with Niklas Houben second. Florian Bodin saw a gap open up into turn one on the opening lap and gained three places, advancing to the final with them.
Houben’s Team Nitro teammate Tobias Groenewald got into trouble on lap one and looked to be in danger of getting knocked out straight away. However, F1 Esports Champion Jarno Opmeer had a spin while battling for third with Bodin and wildcard entry Ryan Barneveld, and he was out of the race.
Nicolas Hillebrand was on pole for the second semi-final, and it was a race between him and Jernej Simoncic for the win. Devin Braune went off into the gravel through turn three on lap one, securing the top three in a much quieter race.
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