Building on the success of its previous two standalone rallycross esports events, IMG, the promoter of the FIA World Rallycross Championship, is launching a series of further DiRT Rally 2.0 events in partnership with esports specialist Motorsport Games, and DiRT video game publisher Codemasters.
The first event will be held on Sunday 31 May using the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, before continuing on to Norway, Sweden and South Africa.
The esports events will feature a mix of World RX drivers and guest drivers from other motor sport disciplines. Esports racers will also feature in the events. The top ten gamers will compete in their own semi-finals and final that will be included in the last hour of the show, alongside the finals for the real-world racers.
“We’re so pleased by the success we’ve had in bringing rallycross excitement to our fans during this time, and are excited to extend the action even further. We’d like to thank our partners, drivers and fans for supporting this new format, and look forward to delivering more options in the future,” said Paul Bellamy, Senior Vice President of Motorsports Events at IMG.
“The two previous World RX events have shown there is a real desire and appetite for drivers and fans to compete and watch world-class virtual RX content. It’s great to see the best drivers compete on DiRT Rally 2.0 with the same passion and commitment they show during a race weekend,” said Ross Gowing, DiRT Rally Game Director at Codemasters.
“Motorsport Games is pleased to extend our partnership with the FIA World Rallycross Championship and Codemasters to deliver World RX Esports,” said Motorsport Games CEO, Dmitry Kozko. “The quality of the racing in the previous events, combined with the world-class production have created a real spectacle, showcasing why Motorsport Games is the esports partner of choice for rights holders.”
Drivers confirmed for the first event include FIA World Rallycross Champion Timmy Hansen, World RX racers and esports regulars Oli Bennett, Timo Scheider and Kevin Hansen along with rising star Rokas Baciuska. Former Ferrari F1 racer Mika Salo returns for his second rallycross outing and Supercars star Shane Van Gisbergen is also back after making the podium in his first World RX Esports event last month. More drivers and to be announced in the next few days.
Confirmed drivers (more to be announced)
1, Timmy Hansen (SWE), Peugeot 208 WRX
4, Mika Salo (FIN), Ford Fiesta
9, Kevin Hansen (SWE), Peugeot 208 WRX
21, “FailRace” (GBR), Audi S1 Quattro
22, Blake “Bilko” Williams (AUS), Audi S1 Quattro
42, Oli Bennett (GBR), BMW Mini
44, Timo Scheider (DEU), Seat Ibiza WRX
97, Shane Van Gisbergen (NZL), Peugeot 208 WRX
114, Rokas Baciuska (LTU), Renault Megane
World RX Esports
31 May, World RX Esports Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina Circuit
21 June, World RX Esports Norway, Hell
28 June, World RX Esports Sweden, Holjes
19 July, World RX Esports South Africa, Cape Town