WRC 9, together with the International Automobile Federation (FIA), are doing a cool online competition called the FIA Rally Star. Compete in the rally video game and you can stand a chance to get a real drive in the FIA Junior WRC championship. As in, be a real rally driver.
The catch? To enter it, you have to buy a DLC for WRC 9. That’s a weird requirement, but then it also means only the dedicated folks should enter this tournament.
The FIA Rally Star competition begins from February to August with 12 online trials. The competition is open for drivers age 17-26, and all trials will be using the M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3 car. Winners of the 12 trials will quality to one of six continental finals.
From there, the list will ultimately be shortened to 7 drivers- one spot is guaranteed for females- and will go into a one-year FIA training and practice program. The best of the seven will get the ultimate reward: a 2-season drive in the FIA Junior WRC.
If you feel you are fast (and also dedicated) enough in the WRC 9 game, the DLC worth RM39 on PS Store Asia and $7.99 USD (roughly RM31) on the Epic Games Store, is a small investment to see how you stack up with the worldwide competition.
For the rest of us, let’s just be glad that the big authority in motorsport has recognised the realism of the WRC 9 game can be a good tool in spotting future driver talent.
“The new level of realism in WRC 9 gives us the opportunity to propose this challenge to all of the sport’s fans around the world” said Jérôme Roussel, FIA programme manager.
“The next Sébastien Loeb, Ott Tänak or Sébastien Ogier may well already be practising on their console or PC! We just need to find them!”
It’s a big compliment to the work KT Racing and Nacon have put in this series.
Check out our review of WRC 9 here.