Urra triumphs at Daytona as Serrano extends championship lead in GTWS Nations Cup

Round 3 of the Gran Turismo World Series (GTWS) unfolded over the weekend in the glittering heart of Los Angeles, mesmerizing a sold-out crowd inside the legendary Orpheum Theatre – a timeless venue that once hosted Hollywood premieres and vaudeville icons before becoming a favorite backdrop for film and television. Beneath its golden ceiling and vintage marquee lights, the drama of virtual racing took center stage. After a stunning finish in the Manufacturers Cup, attention turned swiftly to the Nations Cup, where drivers competed as proud ambassadors of their countries and territories.

The stars of this Hollywood production were twelve elite racers, composed of the top three finishers from the 2024 season and the highest-ranked qualifiers from each global region. They had assembled to decide who would stand as the world’s fastest GTWS driver. After two rounds, Jose Serrano of Spain had a commanding lead with 12 points, followed by Italy’s Valerio Gallo (9 points) and another Spaniard, Pol Urra (6 points).

The day opened with a 13-lap, one-make sprint at the storied Watkins Glen circuit in upstate New York. Serrano once again proved untouchable, piloting the legendary Chaparral 2J – better known as the 'Fan Car' – to a commanding victory, earning him pole position for the Grand Final. France’s Kylian Drumont kept the pressure on to the very end, finishing a heartbeat behind, while Japan’s Takuma Miyazono delivered a thrilling charge from 8th on the grid to claim the third spot.     

The Grand Final unfolded at Daytona Speedway, running the full 24-hour course. For 30 laps, the competitors pushed their 800-hp-plus Red Bull X2019 Competition machines to the limit, slicing through the banking and infield with surgical precision.

The opening laps were a blur of motion and noise, with Drumont and Serrano trading the lead back and forth as they drafted each other along Daytona’s high-speed oval. Starting from fifth, Urra kept his composure, avoiding risky moves through the race’s first half. His patience would prove invaluable. As the laps ticked by, he methodically climbed the order – capitalizing on the chaos ahead while conserving precious fuel.

By Lap 24, Urra had surged to the front and from there he drove off, fending off relentless attacks from Miyazono, France’s Drumont and Thomas Labouteley, Serrano and Gallo.

In the end, it was Urra who took the checkered flag, with Serrano close behind and Drumont rounding out the podium. Although Serrano missed the victory, his consistent brilliance extended his lead in the championship standings to 17 points. Urra’s win vaulted him into second place with 12, while Valerio Gallo’s fifth-place finish brought his total to 11, securing a firm grip on third.

The title fight, however, is far from over. With double points up for grabs at the World Finals in Fukuoka, Japan this December, the door remains open for gifted challengers such as Miyazono, Drumont, and the Netherlands’ Kaj de Bruin to stage an upset.