The GT World Challenge has made great strides in embracing sim racing esports. And this can be seen with the new announcement of SRO Motorsports Group extending their partnership with gaming hardware makers Fanatec in a multi-year deal.
But this is more than just a sponsorship deal.
Each of the five rounds of the 2021 GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup (which includes the 24 Hours Of Spa) will have an accompanying on-site esports race.
But this isn’t just a normal exhibition of Assetto Corsa Competizione (which has the GT World Challenge license, as well as their cars and tracks) using Fanatec sim racing setups.
These sim races will award points for the Silver Cup class. Each team will have to nominate one driver to join, and their performance in the virtual race will translate into championship points.
It’s a big deal. SRO Motorsports Group boasts that its the first of its kind in global motorsport. It only affects the lowest class in the championship, however, but it’s a testament of how far sim racing is being recognised not just as a video game for fans, but a complementary element of motorsport.
Expect to see a similar model to be adopted to Asia, America and Australia as well after this run in the Europe championship.
Previously, the GT World Challenge adopted a virtual sim racing championship, including for Asia, last year due to the global pandemic.