Sim-racing action on the virtual Ardennes rollercoaster
The legendary passages of the Grand Prix circuit in Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) push the pulse of drivers and fans to the red line: Eau Rouge/Raidillon, Les Combes, Blanchimont and La Source throw huge challenges at the real world of motor racing as well as the digital Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup. This coming Saturday (29 August), the virtual “Ardennes rollercoaster” hosts round seven of the global one-make cup run on the iRacing simulation platform. Some 40 participants who tackle the time-honoured 7.004-kilometre racetrack face a tricky task: The combination of fast corners, a tight hairpin, dips and long straights require great skill in finding the best setup for the virtual 911 GT3 Cup.
In the lead-up to the guest appearance in Belgium, suspense heightens in the fight for the title: After clinching victory in the main race at the previous round in Brands Hatch, defending champion Joshua Rogers (Virtual Racing School/Coanda Simsport) has slashed the gap to the leading Sebastian Job. Only 14 points separate the pair. Driving for the Red Bull Racing Esports squad, the British sim racer leads the class with a tally of 360 points. With four rounds left on the calendar, Alejandro Sánchez (MSI eSports) also has good chances of claiming the drivers’ crown. The Spaniard ranks third in the standings with 333 points. Currently sitting in fourth place with 285 points, Maximilian Benecke from Germany (Redline) endeavours to chase down the leading trio.
On the virtual version of the Spa-Francorchamps racetrack, sim racers contest a 15-minute sprint race followed by a 30-minute main race. Fans can watch the event live on Porsche’s channels Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/porsche) and YouTube (https://youtu.be/fxP2bv_HNOg). Both races are also streamed on the two video platforms via iRacing. Further information on the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup can be found on the Porsche Motorsport Hub, Porsche Newsroom and the Twitter account @PorscheRaces.
The programme (all times CEST)
Saturday, 29 August
03:45 – 04:03 pm: Free practice
04:03 – 04:15 pm: Qualifying
04:17 – 04:32 pm: Sprint race
04:34 – 04:44 pm: Warm-up
04:45 – 05:15 pm: Main race
Upcoming races
05.09.2020 – Germany: Nürburgring-Nordschleife (24-hour version)
26.09.2020 – France: Le Mans (Circuit de la Sarthe)
10.10.2020 – Italy: Autodromo Nazionale Monza