179 replies to this topic

[Risil]

This just popped up on my social media:
 

Motorsport fans will be treated to live race action this weekend as top real-world and virtual racers do battle in The Race’s All-Star Esports Battle.

Formula E championship leader Antonio Felix da Costa is among the world-class drivers who will go head-to-head with gamer-to-racer pioneer Rudy van Buren and amputee racer Billy Monger, in the ground-breaking event that will be streamed live on The Race’s YouTube channel.

The Race All-Star Esports Battle has been created by Torque Esports in partnership with leading race simulation software rFactor 2 in response to the escalating number of cancellations of motorsport events, such as this weekend’s Australian GP and the classic Sebring 12 Hours and Long Beach Grand Prix IndyCar race.

Twenty racers will be hand-picked for the event, which will take place at 14:00 CET on Sunday March 15, with another 20 rFactor2 drivers earning their spot through a global single-lap qualifying session on Saturday.

 

A lot of people here have been talking about watching some simulated racing events in the absence of the real thing. I think I've read that Max Verstappen and Simon Pagenaud are also taking part. Could be interesting.

 

[Ellios]

From Twitter  ! 

 

https://twitter.com/...556751542341642

[Ben1445]

Tell you what, this is where eSports for motor racing comes into it’s own. What other sports can have top line professionals do computer sim versions of itself and not have it look completely stupid?

Edited by Ben1445, 13 March 2020 - 23:20.

[JavierDeVivre]

Meh, it's gaming. Not interested.

[thegforcemaybewithyou]

Looks like Norris is taking part in Vergne's rival series also happening on Sunday.

 

Edit: This other race is planned for 15:45 GMT on Sunday and will be streamed via https://www.youtube.com/veloceesports .

See https://twitter.com/JeanEricVergne and https://twitter.com/VeloceEsports to stay up to date.

Edited by thegforcemaybewithyou, 14 March 2020 - 05:35.

[LucaP]

Looks like Norris is taking part in Vergne's rival series also happening on Sunday.

Edit: This other race is planned for 15:45 GMT on Sunday and will be streamed via https://www.youtube.com/veloceesports .
See https://twitter.com/JeanEricVergne and https://twitter.com/VeloceEsports to stay up to date.

Lol, we have A Split already?
Simracing is sooo realistic

[Ben1445]

Meh, it's gaming. Not interested.

 

I actually feel much the same and sim racing really doesn't appeal to me .... when times are normal. 

 

But they're not - professional global motorsport is seemingly on an all encompassing hiatus for at least the next couple of months, perhaps longer... so having some of the worlds best joining in on established sim racing platforms to pass the time seems like a decent experiment that few other sports can dream of doing. 

 

I'm willing to suspend my (fairly strong) skepticism for a bit just to see what happens. 

[Ben1445]

It's a weird thing for me. I used to watch some gaming tournaments for a brief while and mostly enjoyed it. But when it comes to simracing I just can't. The knowledge that it's just a "fake" version of a real sport forms an insurmountable psychological barrier in my mind. 

Yeah this has been mostly the same for me. I'm just curious if all the top names joining in because they can't race in real life right now is enough to break that barrier, even just temporarily. 

[Anja]

Meh, it's gaming. Not interested.

 

It's a weird thing for me. I used to watch some gaming tournaments for a brief while and mostly enjoyed it. But when it comes to simracing I just can't. The knowledge that it's just a "fake" version of a real sport forms an insurmountable psychological barrier in my mind. 

[Marklar]

[TomNokoe]

"Secret tbc" is JP Montoya

https://twitter.com/...1059313664?s=19

[Branislav]

What circuit they drive? And what cars?

[thegamer23]

e-Races are fun & immersive if raced well, professionaly.

 

If it turns into a crash-fest, i'll skip it 

 

Very nice idea on paper, looking forward to it!   

Edited by thegamer23, 14 March 2020 - 13:37.

[Amin]

Genuinely looking forward to this. Don't watch much esport but when you have those names involved you've got to give it a watch.

[jonpollak]

Hey Risil;
James Baldwin ?





Also ... lots of Indycar stars y Juanito tambien !
I’ll give this a go then... having never watched e sports anything.
What channel is it on?
Jp

Edited by jonpollak, 14 March 2020 - 18:55.

[Branislav]

What channel is it on?
Jp

https://www.youtube....h?v=Hpq9oMLTc-k

 

enjoy

[jonpollak]

Thanks Brani.
Jp

[H0R]

I would have loved to see Greger Huttu amongst them, but I don't even know if he's still active.

[Risil]

Hey Risil;
James Baldwin ?

That was my first thought as well! But this is Another Country...

[bargeboard]

Thanks Risil! Set a reminder, should be good entertainment!

[Yamamoto]

Presumably it will still be available in the evening, not just live? Might give it a watch if so.

[thegamer23]

The Pro Drivers race is at 13.00 uk time and is the main one. (On rFactor 2)

Than, another one at 17.45 with most of the gamers + Norris, Vergne & Vandoorne. (On F1 2019)

[thegforcemaybewithyou]

Will Power is in! The format will see three qualifying races with the top eight from each race going into the final race.

 

https://the-race.com...oups-announced/

[thegamer23]

Will Power is in! The format will see three qualifying races with the top eight from each race going into the final race.

 

https://the-race.com...oups-announced/

 

 

[thegforcemaybewithyou]

3845 viewers waiting currently with ~50 minutes to the start of the stream.

[jonpollak]

So, it’s real drivers in Heat 1
e-sports racers in Heat 2
Random internet influencers or something in Heat 3

Jp

[thegamer23]

Live in 25 minutes!

 

Those cars will be used!
(It's a F1 2012 car)
 

 

Group Race 1
14:00 – 14:05 Qualifying
14:05 – 14:20 Race

 

Group Race 2
14:30 – 14:35 Qualifying
14:35 – 14:50 Race

 

Group Race 3
15:00 – 15:05 Qualifying
15:05 – 15:20 Race

 

All-Star Esport Battle
15:35 – 15:40 Qualifying
15:40 – 16:00 Race

All times in CET

[midgrid]

Has the track been confirmed?

[thegamer23]

Not yet!

Should be something pretty special i assume

Already 6000 spectators for the live!

Edited by thegamer23, 15 March 2020 - 12:31.

[thegforcemaybewithyou]

This tweet from BMW shows Maxi Günther driving on the Nürburgring, so maybe that's the circuit.

 

https://twitter.com/...159654288162816

[jonpollak]

Here we go...
Jp

[thegamer23]

Live Now! 
Impressive stuff, 13k + spectators already

 

Edited by thegamer23, 15 March 2020 - 12:51.

[thegforcemaybewithyou]

Pizza is ready, let's start the season!

[TomNokoe]

Nordschleife pls so Jimmy stands a chance

[jonpollak]

Nurburgring?

Jp

[thegamer23]

Yep should be nurburgring.

I don't see anything yet tho

[jonpollak]

Waiting......
This reminds me of the good old days when INDYCAR was live on YouTube.
Jp

[ANF]

Seabass Montoya?

[jonpollak]

Well, too bad they didn’t get Sabine Schmidt. !
Jp

[Victor_RO]

Jimmer is live already:
 

[thegforcemaybewithyou]

Cancelled due to computer virus

[thegamer23]

Works now!
Live now

[jonpollak]

Prepare for Jack shouty commentary
Jp

[thegforcemaybewithyou]

Does rFactor feature dirty air?

[thegamer23]

Jack Nicholsss in the booth

YAY

[thegamer23]

Does rFactor feature dirty air?

 

I think so.

Also a pretty damn great Tyre Wear simulation

 

30 K spectators 

Edited by thegamer23, 15 March 2020 - 13:05.

[ANF]

The Grand Prix Strecke?

[SophieB]

A nation looks to Jolyon to provide Dario-style cynical and passive aggressive yang to JN’s enthusiastic yin.

[thegamer23]

Ok, this is going to be great.

[ANF]

Does rFactor feature dirty air?

Can the suspension be broken on the kerbs?