Category: pr

 Bentley ace triumphs thanks to long-run strategy; Naujoks close behind with opposite approach 
• Blajer dominant in Silver class after securing overall pole and podium  
• Qualifying | Race Result | Standings

Dáire McCormack captured his second Mobileye GT World Challenge Europe Esports win of 2022 by making a long-run strategy work to brilliant effect at the Nürburgring. The Munster Rugby Gaming driver qualified sixth overall in his #814 Bentley, but picked the perfect time to make his mandatory pit stop and jumped to the front of the queue when it mattered.

The third round of the championship was a strategic battle in which the front-runners chose divergent routes to the chequered flag, ensuring plenty of contenders for the Mobileye Innovation Award. Dominik Blajer started from overall pole in his TRITON Racing Bentley, becoming the first Silver class entrant to beat all of the Pro runners in qualifying. Remarkably his time of 1m53.190s was identical to that of fellow front-row starter Tobias Gronewald, who was therefore the Pro pole-sitter for Mercedes-AMG E-Sports Team UOL.

This all became academic at turn 1 as Blajer misjudged his braking and went much too deep, allowing both Gronewald and David Tonizza (Scuderia Ferrari Velas Esports Team) to move in front. The Italian briefly edged ahead of the Mercedes-AMG, but ultimately it was Gronewald who settled into the overall lead. 

Behind them Blajer held on to third spot ahead of Nils Naujoks (BMW Team BS+COMPETITION), while McCormack moved up one place to fifth. With little movement at the front Naujoks stopped at the earliest possible opportunity, ducking into the pits shortly after the 15-minute mark. The German was followed by James Baldwin (Veloce McLaren) as both put their faith in the undercut. 

Initially, it seemed to be working beautifully. Tonizza was the next of the front runners to stop and the Ferrari emerged from the pits behind Naujoks, while Baldwin slotted in behind his old rival. The Ferrari looked ill at ease in race conditions and, within a few laps, Baldwin was past as well. 

Gronewald made his stop at half distance and had just enough in hand to stay ahead of Naujoks, though the BMW was much closer than he had been before the pit window opened. He then closed on to the rear of the Mercedes-AMG and with 22 minutes left on the clock completed a clean and decisive move into turn 1. But, out front, McCormack was still pumping in fast times. 

The Bentley driver stopped on the same lap and was able to return to the track just clear of Naujoks. Having run at close quarters early on each driver had selected a very different strategy; ultimately McCormack’s had proven marginally better. 

Blajer had also run long and emerged between Naujoks and Gronewald, giving the Silver class driver a commanding advantage over Robbie Stapleford (BMW G2 Esports). The most engaging on-track battle of the closing stages saw Baldwin attempting to overhaul Tinko van der Velde, but the Williams Esports Bentley man held firm. 

At the front McCormack came home to win by a little under four seconds, narrowly preventing Naujoks from repeating his 2021 victory at the Nürburgring. Blajer completed the overall podium while also earning a resounding Silver win, while Gronewald converted pole into a P3 finish among the Pro runners. 

Van der Velde and Baldwin were followed by erstwhile championship leader Tonizza, for whom a sixth-in-class finish can be seen as a solid result given his mid-race struggles. Arthur Kammerer (BMW Team BS+COMPETITION) was next, a five-second penalty having dropped him behind the Ferrari, while Jordan Sherratt (Automobili Lamborghini Esports Team) and Eamonn Murphy (Veloce McLaren) completed the overall top-10. 

Blajer’s Silver win was his third in succession and once again saw the TRITON man running at the front of the pack. Stapleford was second in class and 12th overall, though he lost six spots on the leaderboard to a five-second penalty for making contact with Tonizza during the closing stages. Fabien Piffet completed the class podium after finishing 15th overall in his Team Fordzilla Bentley. 

McCormack’s win has seen the Munster Rugby Gaming driver open up an 18-point lead over Tonizza at the top of the Pro standings. Gronewald moves up to third, three points off the Ferrari ace, while defending champion Baldwin remains in the hunt. Blajer’s Silver class lead is also 18 points, Stapleford having minimised the gap thus far by finishing second in all three races.

The fourth and penultimate round of the 2022 Mobileye GT World Challenge Europe Esports championship will take place at the Hungaroring on 6 July, while the finale runs at Monza on 3 August. Organised by SRO Motorsports Group and Ak Esports in partnership with Mobileye, Fanatec, Kunos Simulazioni, Pirelli and The Sim Grid, the Mobileye GT World Challenge Europe Esports Championship utilises the unmatched simulation of Assetto Corsa Competizione. It runs alongside similar continental Sprint Series in Asia and America, while the Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports Championship Powered by Mobileye tests elite sim racing teams in long-distance events. 

• World-class sim racers tackle Nürburgring in third round of European championship 
• Tonizza, McCormack and Baldwin lead Pro standings, Blajer out front in Silver thanks to pair of wins
• Entry List | Standings | Schedule

Mobileye GT World Challenge Europe Esports is back in action on Wednesday (8 June) when a one-hour Assetto Corsa Competizione race at the Nürburgring will turn the heat up on the 2022 title battle.

The third of five European Sprint Series rounds marks a crucial phase in the championship and follows ultra-competitive contests at Misano (6 April) and Zandvoort (4 May). James Baldwin and David Tonizza have lived up to their status as pre-season favourites, while breakout star Dáire McCormack has emerged as a serious contender for crown. 

Should anyone else wish to make a serious bid for European glory, they will need a strong result on Wednesday evening. Indeed, by the time the chequered flag has fallen we should have a clear idea of who still has a realistic shot at the big prize. 

A field featuring 50 of the world’s finest sim racers will fill the Nürburgring grid. Points are scored towards the Pro and Silver classifications, while the race will include a mandatory pit stop between the 15th and 45th minute. Live coverage will be free-to-view on YouTube and Twitch, with streaming set to begin at 20:50 CEST. 

With the 2022 season in full swing, last year’s championship runner-up David Tonizza leads the standings on 60 points. The Scuderia Ferrari Velas Esports ace started from pole at Misano and Zandvoort, finishing both races in second spot. Consistency wins titles and Tonizza will have no complaints if his campaign ends with the championship. 

Dáire McCormack (Munster Rugby Gaming Bentley) sits second after winning the Misano opener and backing it up with third place at Zandvoort. The Irishman is a single point behind Tonizza and, having proved that his opening win was no fluke, appears ready to contend for the title. James Baldwin (Veloce McLaren) is next on 49 points after securing a brilliant win last time out at Zandvoort, which ignited the reigning series champion’s bid to retain his crown. 

The trio of Tonizza-McCormack-Baldwin are the drivers to beat, but Tobias Gronewald (Mercedes-AMG E-Sports Team UOL) is within striking distance on 46 points after taking third at Misano and fourth at Zandvoort. Michael Tauscher (Unicorns of Love Porsche) sits fifth in the standings having banked 30 points, 10 more than Automobili Lamborghini Esports ace Jordan Sherratt, who was part of the crew that triumphed in last month’s Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Mobileye opener at Bathurst. 

Nils Naujoks scored his maiden series victory in last season’s Nürburgring event, surging from fourth on the grid to lead after a few corners and maintaining the advantage thereafter. But, after being taken out of the Zandvoort race on the opening lap, the BMW Team BS+Competition driver finds himself 42 points adrift of Tonizza. Another victory at the Nürburgring may be his only route back into this fight, a scenario also faced by his teammate Arthur Kammerer, Luca Losio (Mobileye x Jean Alesi Esports Academy BMW) and Eamonn Murphy (Veloce McLaren) among others. 

Then there is the battle for Silver class honours. Dominik Blajer (TRITON Racing Bentley) has won both races thus far and generally found himself among the leading Pro drivers. Pace-wise he has been the class of the field, though a penalty almost cost him the win at Zandvoort. A last-lap clash between his teammate Mateusz Tyszkiewicz and Robbie Stapleford (BMW G2 Esports) handed Blajer a remarkable win, and both will be determined to take the fight to him again on Wednesday evening.

Organised by SRO Motorsports Group and Ak Esports in partnership with Mobileye, Fanatec, Kunos Simulazioni, Pirelli and The Sim Grid, the Mobileye GT World Challenge Europe Esports Championship utilises the unmatched simulation of Assetto Corsa Competizione. It runs alongside similar continental Sprint Series in Asia and America, while the Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports Championship Powered by Mobileye tests elite sim racing teams in long-distance events.

Once the Nürburgring contest is complete there will be just two races left to decide the 2022 title, with Hungaroring on 6 July and the finale running at Monza on 3 August. A busy month of virtual racing lies ahead, with Mobileye GT World Challenge Asia Esports running at Imola (15 June), the Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports Championship Powered by Mobileye tackling the 24 Hours of Spa (18 June) and Mobileye GT World Challenge America Esports at Kyalami on 25 June.

Championship Standings – Pro

1. David Tonizza – 60 points
2. Dáire McCormack – 59
3. James Baldwin – 49
4. Tobias Gronewald – 46
5. Michael Tauscher – 30

Championship Standings – Silver

1. Dominik Blajer – 69 points
2. Robbie Stapleford – 58
3. Mateusz Tyszkiwicz – 46
4. Fabien Piffet – 29
5. Kieran Prendergast – 28

2022 Mobileye GT World Challenge Europe Esports Championship

1. Misano – 6 April
2. Zandvoort – 4 May
3. Nürburgring – 8 June
4. Hungaroring – 6 July
5. Monza – 3 August

• Veloce McLaren driver plays patient game to defeat old rival Tonizza
• Blajer overcomes penalty to win Silver class after final-lap heartbreak for Stapleford 
• Qualifying | Race Result | Standings

Reigning series champion James Baldwin ignited his 2022 Mobileye GT World Challenge Europe Esports title assault with a brilliantly executed victory at Zandvoort. 

The Veloce McLaren driver started from second on the grid, lining up alongside David Tonizza’s Scuderia Ferrari Velas Esports Team entry in a race that was staged in the dead of night. The pair battled tooth and nail for the 2021 title and were at it again at the Dutch circuit, with Tonizza holding the advantage into turn 1 despite Baldwin getting a slightly better launch. 

After initially pulling away the Ferrari soon dropped back into the clutches of the McLaren. Baldwin closed to within a few tenths of his old foe, but whether by choice or circumstance was unable to launch a serious move for the lead. There was a sense, however, that he was biding his time.

Tobias Gronewald (Mercedes-AMG E-Sports Team UOL) ran third during the opening stages, but the man on the move was Misano winner Daire McCormack (Munster Rugby Gaming). Starting from sixth, the Bentley driver was released on to the tail of fourth-place Michael Tauscher (Unicorns of Love Porsche) when Amir Hosseini made an early pit stop in his R8G eSports McLaren. McCormack quickly dealt with Tauscher, whose Porsche did not seem at ease throughout the Zandvoort race, then passed Gronewald with 25 minutes left on the clock. 

In clean air McCormack was the fastest man on the track, transforming the battle for victory into a three-car contest. Sensing an opportunity, he became the first of the trio make his mandatory pit stop, pulling in with 20 minutes remaining. The Bentley driver had a chance to make the undercut work and pushed Baldwin to react, the McLaren man electing to stop just one lap later. He emerged a fraction ahead of McCormack, leaving Tonizza with no choice but to pit the next time around.

The Italian encountered traffic on his in-lap, however, and as he pulled out of the pits the McLaren of Baldwin edged ahead. This proved to be the race-winning moment, with Tonizza unable to live with Baldwin’s pace at the head of the field over the closing 15 minutes. The Veloce McLaren pulled away to win for the first time this season – and made a serious statement about his title defence in the process. 

Tonizza spent the final laps under major pressure for McCormack, but after initially looking to be a cert for P2 the Bentley slipped back and was passed by Hosseini, who had made his early pit stop work to great effect. This smart strategic call could earn him a nomination for the Mobileye Innovation Award, which recognises drivers for their innovative moves and choices during each race.

It would not be enough to get Hosseini on to the podium, however, as the R8G McLaren ace had already been handed a five-second time penalty for contact after his stop. As such it was Tonizza and McCormack who sealed second and third respectively. The penalty dropped Hosseini to fifth, with Gronewald taking fourth in the final classification. Jordan Sherratt was a strong sixth for the official Automobili Lamborghini Esports squad, followed by Andre Franke (HPS JAS Pro Europe Honda) and Maxime Batifoulier (Mkers Mercedes-AMG). 

Silver honours went to Dominik Blajer. Starting from class pole, the TRITON Racing Bentley driver led the early stages but entered the race with a 15-second penalty for causing a collision during qualifying. Yet such was the Bentley’s pace that he emerged from his pit stop close behind Robbie Stapleford (BMW G2 Esports) and Mateusz Tyszkiewicz (TRITON Racing Bentley) in the battle for class victory. 

Stapleford led on the final lap, but there was multi-car contact between his BMW, the Tyszkiewicz Bentley and Tauscher’s Pro class Porsche. The result was that Stapleford slipped to third among the Silver runners, with Tyszkiewicz crossing the line ahead of Blajer. However with the Polish driver penalised for his involvement in the collision it was Blajer who claimed a second successive class win, completing a remarkable comeback from his pre-race penalty. Tyszkiewicz and Stapleford completed the podium.

Organised by SRO Motorsports Group and Ak Esports in partnership with Mobileye, Fanatec, Kunos Simulazioni, Pirelli and The Sim Grid, the Mobileye GT World Challenge Europe Esports Championship utilises the unmatched simulation of Assetto Corsa Competizione. The campaign continues next month with another 60-minute race at the Nürburgring (8 June). Tonizza holds a one-point lead over McCormack at the top of the standings thanks to a pair of runner-up finishes for the Ferrari ace, while Baldwin has climbed to third, 10 points shy of his Italian rival. 

• New season begins with Misano masterclass from McCormack 
• Blajer takes Silver Cup honours to secure clean sweep for Bentley
• Qualifying | Race Result | Standings

Daire McCormack delivered the performance of a lifetime to win the season-opening Mobileye GT World Challenge Europe Esports Championship event at Misano.

A 48-car grid assembled for the Assetto Corsa Competizione race, and with less than a second covering the top-45 in qualifying the competition was tougher than ever. The Munster Rugby Gaming driver started second at the wheel of the #814 Bentley but scythed into the lead with a magnificent pass around the outside of poleman David Tonizza (Scuderia Ferrari Velas Esports Team) at turn 1. 

The Italian fought back, but McCormack had the inside line for the second corner and was fully in front as the pack exited turn 3. This was as close as Tonizza ever came to recapturing the lead, with McCormack producing metronomic pace that allowed the Bentley to edge slowly into the distance. 

But while the lead battle was effectively settled at turn 1, the season-opening race still produced plenty of action – particularly during a frantic final 15 minutes. 

The spectacle was improved by the extension of the pit window for the 2022 season, with drivers now permitted to stop at any time between the 15th and 45th minute. This allowed for a far more creative approach to strategy, with some pitting early and aiming for the undercut while others ran long. 

It was during the final quarter of an hour, once the front runners had made their stops, that the drama really intensified. There was a particularly close fight for the final spot on the podium as Nils Naujoks (BMW Team BS+COMPETITION) passed Michael Tauscher (Unicorns of Love Porsche) and set off in pursuit of Tobias Gronewald (Mercedes-AMG E-Sports Team UOL). The two ended up in a drag race to the chequered flag, with the Mercedes-AMG ultimately edging the charging BMW M4 GT3 for third.

Naujoks dropped behind Tauscher after the chequered flag after receiving a penalty for an earlier collision. That left him fifth, one spot ahead of teammate Arthur Kammerer, who was involved in much of the late race action. Tinko van der Velde (Williams Esports Bentley) and James Baldwin (Veloce McLaren) were the next classified Pro drivers, the latter after receiving a post-race penalty following a three-wide move that gained him two places. 

Dominik Blajer (TRITON Racing Bentley) claimed an impressive Silver class victory having spent the entire racing mixing it with the Pros, sometimes risking his class lead in the process. Robbie Stapleford was the next best Silver driver and was on a charge during the latter stages, but could not do enough to catch Blajer. Fabien Piffet completed the class podium in the Team Fordzilla Bentley, completing a very successful day for the British brand. 

There was hard luck for Luca Losio (Mobileye x Jean Alesi Esports Academy BMW), who had made strong progress up the field from 11th on the grid after taking the decision to stop early. The Italian was running in sixth spot late in the race, defending from a gaggle of cars behind, only to be tagged and sent spinning off the road. This dropped him down the order, though penalties saw him classified ninth among the Pro runners.  

Indeed, Losio’s intelligent positioning in defence is likely to earn him a nomination for the Mobileye Innovation Award, which recognises drivers for their innovative and inspirational manoeuvres. This will be chosen by a fan vote on Thursday, with three moves up for the award. Mobileye has also partnered with SRO to give fans the opportunity to win a VIP weekend at a Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS event or a simulator coaching session with a top SRO Esports driver. For further information and to enter, click here. 

Organised by SRO Motorsports Group and Ak Esports in partnership with Mobileye, Fanatec, Kunos Simulazioni, Pirelli and The Sim Grid, the Mobileye GT World Challenge Europe Esports Championship utilises the unmatched simulation of Assetto Corsa Competizione. The next event on the SRO Esports schedule will be the Mobileye GT World Challenge Asia Esports Championship opener at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya (13 April). 

The European campaign continues next month with another 60-minute race at Zandvoort (4 May). After a double Bentley win at Misano, the likes of McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes-AMG will fancy their chances of revenge at sweeping track amid the North Sea dunes.

• New season begins with one-hour Assetto Corsa Competizione race at tricky Italian track
• Reigning champ Baldwin back to defend European crown against top-line opposition 
• Entry List | Schedule 

The 2022 Mobileye GT World Challenge Europe Esports Championship kicks off on Wednesday (6 April) with a one-hour Assetto Corsa Competizione race at Misano, launching the first of three continental Sprint Series set to run in 2022.

A stacked grid of 48 world-class sim racers will test their skills at the technical Italian circuit where consistency is rewarded and no error goes unpunished. The entry list is headlined by reigning series champion James Baldwin, who will defend his crown against a field that includes official esports drivers from the likes of Ferrari, BMW and Lamborghini.

The Veloce McLaren star already knows how to get the job done at Misano. Last year’s race was a tense affair in which Baldwin led a McLaren one-two ahead of Eamonn Murphy, while the Ferrari of David Tonizza completed an all-star podium. On that occasion the top-32 qualifiers were separated by less than one second and there is every reason to anticipate an equally close contest on Wednesday evening. 

The Misano race is scheduled to get underway at 21:00 CEST and opens a five-round European season that also takes in Zandvoort (4 May), the Nürburgring (8 June), Hungaroring (6 July) and Monza (3 August). Each will run on a Wednesday evening with in-depth coverage across a variety of online platforms, including live streaming on the SRO YouTube and Twitch channels, as well as the SRO Esports Facebook page.

Organised by SRO Motorsports Group and Ak Esports in partnership with Mobileye, Fanatec, Kunos Simulazioni, Pirelli and The Sim Grid, the series utilises the highly authentic physics and unmatched driving realism of Assetto Corsa Competizione. The 2022 campaign will feature new GT3 cars from Audi and BMW, bringing the virtual series fully up to date with its real-world equivalent. 

Baldwin primed for title defence against new and returning opposition 

Having edged a titanic 2021 title battle against Ferrari star David Tonizza, James Baldwin goes on the hunt for further championship glory this term with the #1 proudly displayed on his Veloce McLaren. The man he beat is also back and will be hungry for revenge at the wheel of the #95 Scuderia Ferrari Velas Esports Team entry, hinting at an another epic battle between the pair.

But there’s no reason to expect a two-horse race. Nils Naujoks (BMW Team BS+COMPETITION) was a major factor during the second half of last term and will hope for a strong start with the new M4 GT3 to launch his 2022 title assault. Niklas Houben triumphed in the 2021 finale to cap a stellar run of form and could also be a contender this year representing Romain Grosjean’s R8G eSports squad in the #22 Audi.

There are plenty more returning drivers from last term to watch out for, including Eamonn Murphy, who joins Baldwin at the Veloce McLaren squad, as well as Arthur Kammerer (BMW Team BS+COMPETITION), Kamil Pawlowski (Scuderia Ferrari Velas Esports Team) and the mercurial Amir Hosseini (R8G eSports McLaren). Luca Losio also returns for 2022, switching brands to pilot a BMW M4 GT3 for the Mobileye x Jean Alesi Esports Academy squad. 

While the aforementioned drivers will run in the top-tier Pro category, further competition will come from the addition of a Silver class. Categorisation is decided by 2021 results, though it would not be a surprise to see the leading Silver drivers run at the front of the overall order. Among the familiar names, Dennis Schoeniger will drive the #9 Mercedes-AMG E-Sports Team HRT machine, while youngster Robbie Stapleford returns to pilot the #81 BMW G2 Esports entry. Egor Ogorodnikov has also shown flashes of front-running pace and will tackle the Misano event driving a VDES Academy Bentley. 

The British marque’s Continental GT3 is a particularly popular choice for Wednesday’s race, with an impressive 12 runners across both classes set to use the car. They will be joined by eight McLarens, six examples of Mercedes-AMG machinery and four BMWs. Aston Martin, Audi, Ferrari, Honda, Lamborghini and Porsche will each be represented by three cars at Misano. 

The European Sprint Series opener kicks off the online portion of the 2022 SRO Esports season and comes just a few days after the Fanatec Esports GT Pro Series began its 2022 campaign with a successful event at Imola (2 April). It will be the first race to run with title sponsorship from Mobileye, the global innovator in autonomous and assisted-driving technology, which was announced last month. 

The Mobileye GT World Challenge Asia Esports Championship begins on 13 April at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, while the Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports Championship Powered by Mobileye follows with the Bathurst 12 Hour on 16 April. The Mobileye GT World Challenge America Esports Championship completes the set when it launches on 23 April with a one-hour race at Zolder.

2022 Mobileye GT World Challenge Europe Esports Championship

1. Misano – 6 April
2. Zandvoort – 4 May
3. Nürburgring – 8 June
4. Hungaroring – 6 July
5. Monza – 3 August

Endurance Series in Europe, Asia and America merge to create comprehensive global championship

• Pro and Silver categories introduced for Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports and continental Sprint Series

• Entry fee and prize pool restructured, additional bonuses for top-10 teams and drivers.

The GT World Challenge Esports Endurance Series in Europe, Asia and America will join forces this year to form the new Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports, bringing together the best sim racers from across the globe to compete at five iconic venues.

Organised by SRO Motorsports Group and Ak Esports in partnership with Fanatec, Kunos Simulazioni, Pirelli and The Sim Grid, utilising the highly authentic physics and unmatched driving realism of Assetto Corsa Competizione, the new championship will tackle legendary long-distance events such as the 24 Hours of Spa and Bathurst 12 Hour. Pro and Silver categories will be implemented to ensure a more dynamic and competitive field, while this system will also be adopted by the continental GT World Challenge Esports Sprint Series, which will continue to run in Europe, Asia and America this season.

What’s more, a new entry fee and prize structure have been introduced for teams and drivers, with even more to play for in the Pro and Silver classes of each championship. The prizes on offer include Fanatec gear, VIP hospitality for events and track activities, bringing the total value of cash and sponsor products to €120,000. 

New year, new series

The new Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports will test competitors at five of the world’s best-known and most demanding venues. It kicks off on 16 April when the Bathurst 12 Hour is staged at the iconic Mount Panorama, followed by the Suzuka 10 Hours (21 May) at Japan’s legendary figure-eight circuit.

The biggest challenge of the season will see competitors undertake a gruelling twice-around-the-clock contest when the 24 Hours of Spa runs on 18-19 June. The 8 Hours of Laguna Seca (16 July) and the Kyalami 9 Hours (27 August) will conclude the campaign and decide the destination of the title. 

Each continental GT World Challenge Esports Sprint Series will also consist of five rounds in 2022. In Europe, the championship will play out with 60-minute contests at Misano (6 April), Zandvoort (4 May), Nürburgring (8 June), Hungaroring (6 July) and Monza (3 August). In a change from 2021, each European event will run on a Wednesday.

The Asian season will begin at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on 13 April before tackling Imola (11 May), Bathurst (15 June) and Zolder (13 July). It concludes on home turf with a deciding round at Suzuka on 24 August. Like its European counterpart, the GT World Challenge Asia Esports will also take place on Wednesdays in 2022. 

For American competitors, each event is scheduled to run on a Saturday. Zolder kicks off the action on 23 April followed by Silverstone (28 May), Kyalami (25 June) and Donington Park (9 July). There will be a home finale for the American contingent, too, with Laguna Seca wrapping up the season on 13 August.

New Pro and Silver categories launched

A new driver rating system is set to be implemented in 2022, using last year’s performances as a guide. Any driver who scored at least 25 points in the European championship, or at least 15 points in the Asian or American championships, will be eligible for entry to the Pro category. Those who did not reach this points threshold will qualify for the Silver category. 

Pro line-ups for Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports will be nominated by manufacturers and must feature at least two Pro drivers at each round, while manufacturers may nominate a maximum of two cars each for Sprint Series events. 

Should they not do so, these slots will be awarded via a qualification process for Pro-ranked sim drivers. Every team nominated by a manufacturer will be automatically considered Pro, as will its drivers.  In the Silver category, there can be only one Pro driver per Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports team. 

Following manufacturer nominations, the qualification process for the remaining Pro team slots will take the form of hot-stint qualifying at two different tracks featured on the calendar. Drivers must set five valid laps during a stint, within 107% of their fastest time and without returning to the pits. The fastest stints from each driver are then combined to make a team average. The top-ranked teams on the leaderboard will be eligible to race in the Pro class. 

In the Silver category, 3 drivers must set a hot-lap around three tracks from the calendar. The combined average of all three times at all three circuits is placed on the leaderboard, with the top-24 ranked teams eligible to compete in the Silver class. 

Entry fee, prize pool and testing for balance of performance  

Thanks to a restructured entry fee and prize pool, the 2022 season will see more drivers rewarded in both the Pro and Silver classes of Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports and the continental Sprint Series. 

Pro and Silver drivers will have their own prize pool and entry fee for the year, which will cover all races during the 2022 season. The prize pool will reward the top-10 teams in the Pro class, and the top-10 drivers in Silver, with a grand total of €120,000 in cash and sponsor’s products available to be won.

Additional prizes will be awarded to teams and drivers in the top-10, including Fanatec and AK Informatica gear, VIP hospitality for a selected race event, and track activities

What’s more, a new testing format will be introduced this season to ensure that the series remains as competitive as possible. Thanks to a new Balance of Performance (BOP) method, drivers can request a test in different machinery. They can then compare data and times should they feel another competitor has an advantage within the game, ultimately leading to fairer racing and closer on-track competition. 

Entries for the Silver class will open first. For those hoping to compete in the continental Sprint Series, the qualification phase begins on 21 February, while Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports qualifying commences on 28 February. For drivers eligible to compete in the Pro categories, qualification begins on 14 March for the Sprint Series and on 21 March for Intercontinental GT Challenge Esports. 

With new initiatives in place and a consolidated global endurance series set to launch, the season ahead promises to take the competition to the next level.

Find out more and register on the official website at sro-esports.com

About KUNOS Simulazioni

Kunos Simulazioni is a software house specialized in developing driving simulations for the videogame market and professional applications. 

The company launched in 2005 as a one-man show, and now involves professional expertise capable of producing the technology required to satisfy a diverse range of requirements: from professional training software for car manufacturers and racing teams to advanced videogames dedicated to simracers looking for a driving model with maximum realism. 

The “Assetto Corsa” racing game is the best result of this vision, turning a driving simulation into one of the most recognized and popular brands of racing videogames. 

Its latest iteration, “ASSETTO CORSA COMPETIZIONE”, is one of the most appreciated GT racing simulations on the market, representing a benchmark in terms of car handling, visual realism and track accuracy.

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About Fanatec

Fanatec is the leading brand for dedicated sim racing hardware, including force feedback steering wheels, pedals, and complete cockpits for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC-based racing simulators. Fanatec is a brand of Endor AG, based in Germany, the company has more than 20 years of experience in developing and manufacturing sim racing equipment, constantly striving for innovation and quality. Fanatec is the official hardware partner for several different esports series, including F1 Esports Pro Series, the eSport WRC Championship, and SRO E-sport GT Series, with the sim racing hardware being an integral part of the live broadcasts all over the world. Fanatec is also the main sponsor of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS. Find out more at www.fanatec.com.

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About AK Esports

AK Esports is an Italian company leader in the organization of Esports competitions, Esports team management and events all over Europe, with a special focus on Sim Racing. Created by Ak Informatica, italian PC Gaming Expert, since 2004 the company has seen a steady growth every year since then, working on the latest technology and Gaming titles to develop Esports Entertainment. Ak Esports developed several Esports assets for many different car manufacturers and in 2019 together with SRO Motorsport Group and Kunos Simulazioni created the first SRO Esports.  Championship. Find out more about AK at www.akesports.it

SRO Motorsports Group – The global leader in GT racing

With nearly three decades’ experience at the forefront of a continuously evolving industry, SRO Motorsports Group is the established global leader in GT racing. A busy 2021 season will see events staged under the SRO banner on five continents, highlighted by the prestigious Total 24 Hours of Spa. 

The company’s expanding portfolio of series includes Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS categories in America, Asia, Australia and Europe. Each retains its unique identity, while also allowing competing brands to dispute a global manufacturers’ title through their continental representatives. What’s more, a groundbreaking new initiative for 2021 will see virtual racing come together with the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS Endurance Cup, where a series of e-sports contests will count towards the real championship.

Staged since 2016, the flagship Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli sees world-leading manufacturers compete through their local teams at marquee events across the globe. Considerable emphasis is placed on amateur competitors, too, with the GT Sports Club concept combining a relaxed environment with highly professional standards for drivers using GT2 and GT3 machinery.

SRO also works with the FIA to organise and promote the FIA Motorsport Games, a multi-disciplinary event in which drivers compete in the colours of their national flag. A range of international and domestic series catering for GT2, GT3, GT4 and touring car machinery also form part of an extensive on-track programme, while the burgeoning sim racing scene has taken on considerable importance through the SRO E-Sport GT Series. 

In addition to promotion and organisation, the company operates the SRO Race Centre by MMC service facility at Circuit Paul Ricard, and provides the ultimate driving opportunities at world-renowned venues through Curbstone Track Events. Combining a passion for performance with industry-leading experience, SRO continues to play a key role in shaping the future of global GT racing.

• BMW SIM Racing G2 Esports driver makes lightning start and holds firm to secure victory
• Baldwin finishes as runner-up to move to within sight of points lead after nightmare outing for Tonizza
• Qualifying | Race | Standings

Nils Naujoks scored his maiden GT World Challenge Europe Esports victory in tonight’s Sprint Series contest at the Nürburgring, while James Baldwin moved to within just six points of the championship lead by taking second position in a frantic Assetto Corsa Competizione race. 

Aston Martin squad Unicorns of Love locked out the front row of the grid in qualifying, with Bastian Richter beating Tobias Gronewald to top spot by 0.201s. But their advantage did not last as Naujoks (BMW SIM Racing G2 Esports) made a lightning launch from fourth spot. 

The BMW driver instantly jumped Baldwin (McLaren Shadow) and Gronewald, getting alongside Richter into turn 1 and holding the inside line for turn 2. He muscled past the Aston and into the lead, while Baldwin retained third by passing Gronewald.

Naujoks ran well in clean air, but he was not quite fast enough to gap the chasing pack and Richter stayed close behind throughout the opening stint. Baldwin was not far off in third spot, while impressive newcomer Niklas Houben (GTWR R8G Academy Audi) was fourth after starting 11th, followed by Mateusz Tyszkiewicz (DV1 TRITON RACING Bentley).

By mid-race Richter was arguably in the best position to snatch the win, but the pit stop window would prove to be his undoing. The Unicorns of Love driver stopped early, only to be released into traffic that cost him considerable time. When his rivals ducked in a few laps later, this proved costly.

Naujoks retained the lead, but as the order was re-established it was now Baldwin in second position. Richter’s woes did not end there as both Houben and Tyszkiewicz got ahead after making their stops. He was able to quickly pass the Bentley, but had no answer for the charging Audi driver.

At the front Naujoks soaked up the pressure from Baldwin, taking advantage of the M6 GT3’s prodigious straight-line speed to keep the McLaren in his mirrors. The BMW man was aided by Houben, whose performance grew more impressive by the lap as he cruised up on to the back of Baldwin. 

Ultimately the McLaren Shadow driver could not risk a move, particularly with a significant haul of championship points on offer. Naujoks completed a fantastic showing by taking victory, albeit a mere 0.280s clear of Baldwin, with Houben a further 0.575s back in third to score the best result yet for an Audi in superb fashion. 

Richter was fourth, the best Sprint Series result for the Unicorns of Love squad but less than was possible from pole position. Tyszkiewicz rounded out the top-five, followed by the leading FDA Esports Ferrari of Giovanni De Salvo and Arthur Kammerer in the second BMW SIM Racing G2 Esports entry. 

The next three spots went to a trio of Unicorns of Love drivers, each in different cars: Lars Kisser was eighth in a Lamborghini, followed by Nils Klinkmüller in an Audi and the Aston Martin of Gronewald. Remarkably, Baldwin and De Salvo were the only top-10 finishers not to score their best result of the season tonight. 

The most significant absentee from the top-10 was David Tonizza (FDA Esports Ferrari), who qualified alongside teammate De Salvo in 10th but was involved in contact at turn 1 and again during the second lap which left him well down the order. This was the first non-score this season for the Italian, whose once mighty championship advantage has quickly fallen away. 

Indeed, Baldwin has closed to within six points of Tonizza having been more than 50 shy just a few races ago. Kevin Siggy remains third despite failing to score today, but is 41 off top spot and will need multiple wins if he is to truly challenge. Indeed, the title battle appears to be a two-horse race, though Josh Rogers (VRS Coanda Porsche), De Salvo and Naujoks also remain mathematically eligible. 

Three events remain on the Sprint Series calendar. The next comes on 15 October at Imola, with hot-lap qualifying open from Monday 4 through Sunday 10 October. Further 60-minute contests at Barcelona (29 October) and Spa (12 November) will conclude the season and decide who is crowned the inaugural GT World Challenge Europe Esports Sprint Series champion.

• Bentley squad wins despite lap-one collision to ignite championship challenge 
• Dramatic conclusion sees Unicorns of Love and Team Rocket RJN secure podium finishes
• Qualifying | Result | Standings

The battle for the inaugural GT World Challenge Europe Esports Endurance Series title will go down to the wire after a dramatic six-hour race at the Nürburgring saw the gap narrow at the top of the standings.  

The #191 Racing Line Motorsport Bentley took the chequered flag and a crucial 25 points, but not before several others had led at the German venue. With heavy rain falling and the in-game clock running from 18:00, it was clear that this would be among the most action-packed events of the season. 

The drama began immediately when the #62 BMW SIM Racing G2 Esports car clipped the Bentley, rotating the front-row starter and earning itself a penalty in the process. If that wasn’t enough, the championship-leading FDA Esports Team Ferrari was left with nowhere to go and made contact with the Bentley, causing damage to the 488 GT3 and dropping David Tonizza down the order.

At this point it seemed highly unlikely that the Racing Line Motorsport crew of Siclari/Schinz/Erbrich would challenge for victory. The Saintéloc by R8G Audi led the opening stint from pole, with Tobias Pfeffer setting a strong pace at the head of the field. The Audi remained in control when Pfeffer handed over to Giorgio Simonini for the second hour, but the double-stinting Tobias Gronewald (#14 Unicorns of Love Mercedes-AMG) was very much on the prowl.

After closing down the Audi, Gronewald captured the lead with an aggressive move at turn 1 just after the 90-minute mark. The Mercedes driver was subsequently handed a five-second penalty for the pass, but had already broken clear by this stage. His advantage was stretched further when the #157 Audi spun into the gravel due to a technical problem, effectively ending another strong run from the Saintéloc by R8G crew. 
 
The #14 Mercedes now looked to be in control, but at the next stop the Unicorns of Love squad made the surprising decision to fit slick tyres while the circuit was still wet. This made life extremely difficult for Lars Kisser, who lost significant time and dropped out of contention during the third hour. The beneficiary was the #88 VRS Coanda Simsport Porsche, which moved into the lead and looked comfortable at the head of the field. The rain did ease up, but not quickly enough to give Unicorns of Love the advantage they had hoped for. 

It was then the Coanda squad’s turn to hit problems: one member from each of its crews was unable to enter the race, which contravened the rule that teams must field three drivers. As such the #18 and #88 Porsches were both disqualified, promoting the #191 Bentley to the lead. The team had been making steady progress after the early spin and gained significant ground by double-stinting their tyres when the rain eased off. Kevin Siclari had taken second spot shortly after half-distance and, when the #88 Porsche was disqualified, the Bentley moved into the lead. 

At this point the race for victory settled down. Having taken a front-row spot in qualifying, it was no surprise that the #191 Bentley had the pace to edge away at the front of the field over the second half of the race. Marek Schinz was at the wheel for the final hour, taking the chequered flag to give Racing Line Motorsport a superb comeback victory, as well as a vital haul of 25 championship points.

While there was no drama at the front, the battle behind grew more frantic as the clock ticked down. The final laps found James Baldwin (Team Rocket RJN) in electrifying form as he passed Jack Keithley (Williams Esports Aston Martin) for third with 35 minutes remaining and then closed down Jaroslav ‘Jardier’ Honzik (YAS HEAT McLaren) for second. But the experienced Jardier was in supreme defensive form and held Baldwin off during the closing stages. The British driver finally completed his move on the last lap of the race, but Jardier came back strong and drew alongside after Baldwin went too deep at the chicane. There was contact, which caused the RJN car to spin while Jardier continued. 

Inevitably, the collision went to the stewards, who penalised the YAS HEAT driver. This gave Unicorns of Love runner-up spot, despite starting the final lap in fourth spot, while Baldwin took third for RJN and the YAS HEAT squad had to settle for fourth.

A number of penalties were handed out at the finish due to teams exceeding the maximum stint time. As such, the final result saw the #62 BMW SIM Racing G2 Esports crew take fifth after an eventful race that included the early penalty and a spin caused by contact from Baldwin. Williams Esports was sixth ahead of fellow Aston Martin runner SideMax Motorworks – FFS Racing, while Mercedes-AMG squad Haupt Racing Team Schindler earned its best result of the season by taking eighth. DV1 TRITON Racing (Lamborghini) and Odox Motorsport (Audi) completed the top-10. 

Having entered the race 37 points off the championship lead, Racing Line Motorsport is just 12 shy heading into next month’s finale after FDA Esports failed to score at the Nürburgring. The #51 Ferrari never fully recovered from the opening-lap contact and seemed ill at ease in wet conditions. It improved when the track dried, but then slipped back significantly during the closing stages. The #18 VRS Coanda Simsport Porsche also remains in the hunt despite today’s disqualification, trailing the FDA crew by 19 points ahead of the decider. 

The title will therefore be settled in a three-hour race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, which closes the inaugural GT World Challenge Europe Esports Endurance Series campaign on 16 October. The championship is organised by SRO Motorsports Group in partnership with Fanatec, Kunos Simulazioni, AK Esports, Pirelli and The Sim Grid.

• McLaren takes second successive one-two finish with dominant Misano performance  
• Championship devleophing into two-horse race between Baldwin and Tonizza
• Qualifying | Race | Standings

James Baldwin (McLaren Shadow) made it two Sprint Series wins in a row and firmly established his 2021 title credentials as the GT World Challenge Europe Esports season resumed at Misano.

The British driver led a McLaren one-two at the 4.2km Adriatic track, beating fellow 720S pilot Eamonn Murphy (YAS HEAT) to victory in the 60-minute contest. David Tonizza (FDA Esports Ferrari) secured third, limiting the damage to his championships advantage, but the momentum is now clearly with Baldwin following back-to-back wins.

The McLaren Shadow driver snatched pole with a late 1m32.031s lap that edged out Murphy by just 0.075s, while Tonizza lined up third with a 1m32.148s. In a typically close-fought session, the top-32 drivers on the 40-car grid were covered by less than one second.  

Baldwin aced the start and instantly broke free from Murphy, leading the YAS HEAT driver by half a second at the conclusion of the opening lap. Realistically this was the only opportunity for a position swap between the two McLarens and with Baldwin in front they maintained a consistent pace at the head of the field. 

Tonizza could do little about the leaders and faced pressure from behind as young Irish racer Dáire McCormack produced another fine performance in the Williams Esports Mercedes-AMG, closing to within a second of the Ferrari ace. Kevin Siggy ran fifth during the opening stint after a good start vaulted the Team Redline McLaren from seventh on the grid. 

There was no change among the top-five during the second half of the race, with Baldwin and Murphy progressively easing away from Tonizza. The McLaren Shadow car beat the YAS HEAT entry by 2.1 seconds after leading all 39 laps, while the FDA Esports Ferrari was third. McCormack scored the best result this season for a Mercedes-AMG – bettering the benchmark of sixth he set at Brands Hatch – while Siggy rounded out the top-five. 

Although there was no signifiant movement between the front-runners, the battle for sixth was intense. Sam Bagnall (Indigo Lime Racing Porsche) emerged on top after a nose-to-tail contest with the Mercedes of Luke Whitehead (SDL eSports By Logitech G) and Tiziano Brioni (MCW Racing Team). The latter had been pushing Bagnall hard with a few minute left on the clock, only for Whitehead to spot a gap and slip through to take the position. 

Juri Petrichenko (AJAR Simracing Team Porsche) was ninth despite receiving a 10-second time penalty for track limits offences, while Gregor Schill completed the top-10 for BMW SIM Racing G2 Esports after climbing from 17th on the grid. Darren King narrowly missed out on scoring for the first time since the season opener, moving up eight spots from his 19th-place grid position in the Dalking Community Team Honda. 

The race produced plenty more drama outside the top-10. Notably, Aenore Rose (Jean Alesi Esports Academy Ferrari) was involved in a number of exciting battles as she fought her way forwards from 20th on the grid to 15th at the flag. A duel with Nils Naujoks was especially intense, though the experienced BMW SIM Racing G2 Esports driver managed to hold firm.
 
Tonight’s result cuts Tonizza’s championship advantage over Baldwin to 24 points with four races still to run. It appears to now be a two-horse race for the Sprint Series crown, with Siggy 41 points adrift in third and Josh Rogers (VRS Coanda Simsport Porsche) a further 10 back after missing tonight’s event. 

Tomorrow it will be the turn of the GT World Challenge Europe Esports Endurance Series, which heads to the Nürburgring for its fourth event of the campaign. The six-hour race will be streamed live and in full on the SRO YouTube and Twitch channels, as well as the SRO Esports Facebook page. Coverage begins at 15:00 CEST on Saturday, allowing for 10 minutes of build-up before the six-hour contest goes green at 15:10.

The Sprint Series will be back in action in two weeks’ time with a 60-minute contest at the Nürburgring (24 September). Hot lap qualifying for what could be a crucial event in the story of the championship will be open from 13-19 September, with tonight’s top-five finishers already assured of a spot on the grid. 

• 33-car grid set for fourth long-distance event of 2021 campaign 
• FDA Esports seeking to put championship beyond doubt at German circuit
• Entry List | Schedule 

The inaugural GT World Challenge Europe Esports Endurance Series title could be decided this weekend when the championship takes on a six-hour Assetto Corsa Competizione race at the Nürburgring. 

Staged one week after the real-world series tackled the 5.1km German circuit, the fourth of five long-distance events follows last month’s blue riband 24 Hours of Spa (7/8 August) where FDA Esports took a commanding victory with its Ferrari 488 GT3. The Italian outfit holds an advantage of 19 points at the top of the standings and will once again field the ace trio of Tonizza/De Salvo/Laurito at the Nürburgring. 

Their main opposition is likely to come from another big-name squad: VRS Coanda Simsport. The German team headed into the 24 Hours of Spa level with FDA at the top of the Endurance Series standings, but its #18 Porsche did not emerge as a serious threat for victory and ultimately had to settle for the third step on the podium. 

Yet there is reason to believe that the trio of Gkergkis/Ostgaard/Campbell can put Coanda back on top this weekend. The team earned a dominant win in the series’ previous six-hour race at Circuit Paul Ricard and will now hope to rejuvenate its title bid with another victory. 

Two more squads remain in the hunt for the championship. Racing Line Motorsport produced a very impressive performance at the 24 Hours Spa by taking a runner-up finish with its #191 Bentley. The crew of Siclari/Schinz/Erbrich are clearly front-runners, but with a 37-point deficit to the top of the standings they will need a strong result at the Nürburgring. 

GPX Racing by Rennwelten sits one point further back after an eventful 24 Hours in which it climbed the order to a fifth-place finish following an opening lap spin. The #22 Porsche will also require a near-perfect end to the campaign if it is to challenge for the title. 

In total, a grid of 33 cars will tackle this weekend’s event. In addition to the FDA Esports squad, SideMax Motorworks, Kessel Racing by Racing Line and Jean Alesi Esports Academy will also compete using the Ferrari 488 GT3. The latter scored well at the opening events and will look to bounce back from an unsuccessful 24 Hours of Spa. 

Porsche’s pair of title contenders are joined by two more 911 GT3-R entrants. VRS Coanda Simsport has the advantage of a second front-running car thanks to its #88 crew of Collins/Krönke/Bouteloup, while the Predator Simracing by R8G team will chase its first points of the season at the Nürburgring. 

YAS HEAT has been a consistent scorer for McLaren and can count on one of the grid’s most experienced line-ups, while Team Rocket RJN has a pair of 10th-place finishes to its name, including a hard-fought result at the 24 Hours of Spa. Carbon Simsport and real-world squad JOTA will also run the 720S GT3, the former returning to the series after missing Spa.

Following a podium at Circuit Paul Ricard and an excellent qualifying performance at Spa, it seemed that BMW G2 Esports would contend for victory in the 24 Hours. Their challenge faded during the opening quarter of the race and the crew of Naujoks/Kammerer/Schill will now hope to bounce back at their home venue. BMW TEAM BS+COMPETITION and Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport E-Team will also compete with the M6 GT3 this weekend. 

The Aston Martin entrants showed solid pace at Spa. Williams Esports made the best of it, running third at mid-distance and finishing sixth, while SideMax Motorworks – FFS Racing was one spot back at the chequered flag. Simware.pro also showed well but fell away before the conclusion, while GTWR Academy is still hunting its first points of the campaign. 

No team showed such impressive speed at Spa with so little reward as Unicorns of Love. After securing pole and leading during the early stages, the #14 Mercedes-AMG hit several problems and ultimately finished in eighth spot. Nevertheless, they remain the only AMG squad to register points this year, with Haupt Racing Team Schindler and AKKA-ASP by GTWR still chasing a strong result.

Lamborghini swept all three classes in last weekend’s real-world event at the Nürburgring, which should offer inspiration to its Endurance Series representatives ahead of the virtual edition. MCW Racing Team is currently the only Lamborghini outfit with points on the board, while DV1 TRITON Racing and the two-car Ratòn Racing by QLASH effort will hope to break through this weekend. 

Audi has two strong runners in Sainteloc by R8G and Odox Motorsport and it should only be a matter of time before an R8 LMS GT3 breaks into the top-10. The Honda crews have faced a challenging campaign, but Team BUSR and the two-car HPD JAS Pro Europe outfit will continue to chase gains. Finally, Lexus representatives Team Fordzilla and Emil Frey ZH-Nord Racing will compete with the popular RC F GT3. 

Organised by SRO Motorsports Group in partnership with Fanatec, Kunos Simulazioni, AK Esports, Pirelli and The Sim Grid, this weekend’s Endurance Series event will be streamed live and in full on the SRO YouTube and Twitch channels, as well as the SRO Esports Facebook page. Coverage begins at 15:00 CEST on Saturday, allowing for 10 minutes of build-up before the six-hour contest goes green at 15:10.

The Endurance event will be preceded on Friday night by the sixth round of the GT World Challenge Europe Esports Sprint Series. Taking place at Misano, the one-hour race will be streamed live from 21:00 CEST and includes many of the drivers set to compete in Saturday’s long-distance contest. Between the two, it promises to be an action-packed weekend for sim racing fans and drivers alike.