Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Motor sport enthusiasts frustrated by the current shortage of live competitive action launched into a ten-day virtual race challenge in Dubai on Wednesday on some of the world’s top real life circuits.

The City Walk 2020 E-Motorsports Tournament powered by BMW is the first in a series of events planned by Dubai-based Pole Position Events Management to establish this new and increasingly popular realm of racing in the UAE.

With the opportunity to land prizes worth DhsD20,000 on Dec.5, the ultimate incentive for UAE devotees is to follow in the footsteps of those who have already used Esports to earn a real world drive, or a full time simulator role with a racing team.

Sponsored by BMW and Pirelli, the City Walk 2020 E-Motorsports Tournament is based at a mobile E-Motorports concept unit equipped with RaceRoom software and race consoles.

Located outside Hub Zero in City Walk, it welcomed the first enthusiasts and gamers this morning for a time attack competition in which racers compete for the best lap time. Each is timed over three laps of a racing circuit, which is an exact replica of a real life racing venue with BMW race cars.    

“The motor sport lockdown in recent months has only added to the worldwide community of online racers which often produces real-life racing drivers,” said Ryan Trutch, managing director of Pole Position Events Management, the automotive events agency.

“We’re excited to be launching the first in a series of E-motorsport events which will add another dimension to the UAE motor sport calendar. Our aim is to attract a new generation of young competitors and ultimately help make motor sport more accessible and affordable.”

 The tournament consists of five rounds, each running from 10am-12 midnight daily until culminating at 4pm on Dec.5.

Some will be looking to emulate the E-motorsport success stories of Rudy van Buren, now a simulator driver for McLaren and the Mahindra Racing Formula E team, and James Baldwin, who earned a drive in the GT World Challenge Europe championship.