> Five-round virtual series staged on Assetto Corsa Competizione for the first time
> Multi-class format combines sim racing qualifiers with real-world teams and drivers
> GT4 champion wins Fanatec prize bundle and real-world Intelligent Money British GT experience
> 60-minute races streamed live on Sunday evenings
> Pre-register now at britishgt.com/esports
The British GT Esports Championship enters a new era this spring when SRO Motorsports Group and its technical partner, AK Informatica, stage Season Seven on Assetto Corsa Competizione for the first time.
Following six successful years under The Online Racing Association’s stewardship, the Intelligent Money British GT Championship’s official virtual series moves in-house to become part of SRO’s burgeoning esports portfolio. ACC’s recent update also ensures that British GT’s sim calendar can feature all five of its regular UK circuits for the first time, as well as the majority of GT3 and GT4 machinery that populate its real-world grid.
Season Seven also introduces a new esports championship format that brings together the stars of real and virtual GT racing, as well as the general public.
GT3 will feature 20 drivers and teams with real-world GT experience, while the GT4 class – which shares the same grid as GT3 – is reserved for 20 sim racers who qualify via a hot lap competition prior to round one. As well as scoring points, GT4’s top-10 finishers earn automatic entries for the following event, while the remaining spaces are determined by subsequent hot lap qualifying staged within a four-day period prior to each round.
Both class champions will earn automatic GT World Challenge Europe Esports entries, while the GT4 title winner also nets a real-world Intelligent Money British GT VIP experience at a round of their choice (subject to UK government coronavirus restrictions). But that’s not all: the latter also receives an incredible Fanatec sim racing bundle featuring a Clubsport Steering Wheel Formula V2, Clubsport Pedals V3 and Podium Wheel Base DD1 – a total prize fund worth approximately €2,000.
The five one-hour races – all of which feature a mandatory pitstop without driver change – take place on Sunday evenings within a six-week period this March and April. As is tradition, the campaign begins at Oulton Park before visiting Snetterton, Brands Hatch and Silverstone ahead of the British GT Esports Championship’s very own #DoningtonDecider on April 25.
Fans needn’t miss a moment of any round thanks to TV-quality livestreaming and commentary on SRO’s Youtube and Twitch channels, as well as British GT’s Facebook page.
Like its counterparts in Europe, Asia and America, British GT’s esports series will be staged on Assetto Corsa Competizione’s PC software under the renowned supervision of AK Informatica who provide first-class technical assistance, championship management and BoP services across SRO’s virtual portfolio.
Sim racers wishing to contest the GT4 class can pre-register now before Oulton Park’s public hot lap competition begins on March 15. Championship organisers have already contacted real-world British GT teams to discuss their GT3 entries and drivers.
2021 BRITISH GT ESPORTS CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR
March 21 – Oulton Park (Hot lap qualifying: March 15-18)
March 28 – Snetterton (Hot lap qualifying: March 22-25)
April 4 – Brands Hatch (Hot lap qualifying: March 29 – April 1)
April 11 – Silverstone (Hot lap qualifying: April 5-8)
April 25 – Donington Park (Hot lap qualifying: April 19-22)
Click to watch the official British GT Esports Championship trailer:
Esports image credits: Xynamic Automotive Photography
Video trailer production: Dizzy Media