Racing in your loungewear is no longer frowned upon after the simulation racing (sim for short) skyrocketed into the public’s consciousness during Coronavirus pandemic-caused lockdowns as all forms of motorsport came to screeching halt.
It took some adjustment to see the world’s top drivers battling it out in their rooms around the world while wearing track pants and sans a helmet. Nevertheless, sim racing is hugely popular and Lamborghini recently announced its Real Race eSports competition is back for a second year.
The winner will become the Italian supercar maker’s first-ever official sim driver. Competitors will race the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 EVO in the simulation game Assetto Corsa Competizione and the first prize includes an experience at the company’s headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese.
Last year’s inaugural series was won by German sim racer Nils Naujoks. The new format will see racers will compete both in traditional Grand Prix and in three Endurance races to earn points within their regional leaderboards.
How it works
Lamborghini says the competition will take place in a tournament running from June to November in which racers around the world can sign up for the open qualifiers, running weekdays Monday to Friday.
The top 40 players from the open qualifiers go to the closed qualifier hosted every Saturday. Finally, the top 20 participants from the closed qualifiers will enter The Real Race on Sunday, competing twice on the same track. The 10 weekly qualifiers for each region will offer participants the chance to earn points for their respective regional ranking and climb the ladder to become the next regional champion.
“The Real Race is a six months-long event that allows players to live the thrill of true competition through the preparation and participation in races against some of the best sim racers in the world,” said Lamborghini Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, Federico Foschini.
“We’re proud to host this competition and to offer The Real Race’s winner the opportunity to live a real-life immersive experience in the world of Lamborghini and be provided with the prospect of a career in eSports.”
Racers can register here.
