With the lockdown still in effect locally and in many parts of the world, we are experiencing a new era in motorsport as anyone from your average armchair enthusiast can battle it out with some of the top sim racers and professional racing drivers on some of the most iconic tracks around the world. The Solidarity e-Race kicked off locally where competitors took to the virtual tarmac of the historic Kyalami Grand Prix circuit and have since seen racers compete in a second-round hosted at Bathurst mountain in Australia a few weeks later. This left the organisers with one dilemma, where to next?
Well, the third instalment of this popular racing series will be taking place at, what Sir Jackie Stewart described as “The Green Hell”, the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife. The registration and Hot Lap qualifying rounds will get underway on 18 May and those who would like to participate can head over to the driver’s area on the website to enter the highly competitive series. Entry to the Seagate Gaming Solidarity e-Race will cost participants R100 of which 50 per cent is donated to the Solidarity Fund that aids battling small-to-medium business enterprises during these unusual times.
While die-hard motorsport fans enjoy the petrol filled racing on television, online simulation racing has garnered a large audience and has begun a global trend which will certainly continue into the future of the sport. This trend has been embraced by many brands and corporate companies and as a result of the ever-growing fan base made up of various ages and demographics – as well as the added advantage of global coverage – are starting to employ sponsorships as part of their marketing strategies. Locally the Solidarity e-Race has had the support of Seagate Gaming, Afrihost, Data Sciences, Pure Storage, NEC and True Race to name a few and as a result, made it possible to not only donate to the cause but also offer R70 000 worth of prizes to the contestants.
Whether you would like to take part or just watch the action live, visit www.solidarityerace.co.za or the Solidarity e-Race Facebook and YouTube pages for more details on how to register and where to catch the love action.
SCHEDULE
Qualifying: 08h00 on 18 May to 08h00 on 21 May 2020 (BMW M235i Race Car – fixed set-up)
Quarter-Finals: 21 – 22 May 2020 (Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale – fixed set-up)
Semi-Finals: 19h00 on 23 May 2020 (Porsche 918 Spyder/Zonda R – fixed set-up)
Grand Finals: 19h00 on 24 May 2020 (McLaren P1 GTR with the KERS, DRS and fixed set-up)
PRIZES
Grand Final
1st – R12 000 and Afrihost 1GB fibre line and router for 12 months
2nd – R7 000
3rd – R3 500
Plate-Final
1st – R2 000 and G-Force Sim Race Rig (excl wheel & pedals)
2nd – R1 000
3rd – R500
Semi-Final
Winner of each semi-final: 4 x R500
Qualifying
All entrants lucky draw: 2 x R1 000 draw
