Porsche Motorsport North America announced that it is entering into the world of “world of virtual racing” this year with the introduction of the Porsche Esports Carrera Cup North America.
The competition is being described as a six-race championship that mirrors the real-world Porsche Carrera Cup North America. The championship will be open to sim racers from the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and will use a modification of the iRacing platform, the new Porsche 911 Cup (Type 992.2).
Following the official qualifying rounds, the virtual racing series will open at Sebring International Raceway, followed by the new-to-iRacing Miami International Autodrome. Third and fourth rounds will take place at Watkins Glen International and Road America, with the season concluding with a race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Each driver will compete using the default iRacing setup of the Type 992.2 Porsche 911 Cup car, which will make its real-world debut this season in North America. Both the real world and virtual Type 992.2 feature a 4.0-liter flat-six engine, and components from the “road-going Porsche 911 GT3,” but still produce 512 hp, according to organizers.
Each race will consist of a 60-minute practice session, a 15 minute qualifying round, and a 40-minute sprint race. Drivers will earn championship points that will mirror the real world races, with 25 to the winner, two bonus points for pole position, and one bonus point for fastest race lap. First through 15th position will score points. Weather will mirror real-world conditions, organizers say, but rain will be disabled.
Calendar of Events:
- Feb. 18-25: Qualifying at Sebring and Road America
- March 18: Sebring International Raceway
- March 25: Miami International Autodrome
- April 1: Watkins Glen International
- April 8: Road America
- April 15: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- April 22: Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta
Those interested in participating in the race can register directly through the iRacing platform, though Porsche Esports Carrera Cup North America requires a minimum of a D License through the game’s system.
Players will be playing for honor and a trophy, and possibly some sort of monetary prize, but nothing has been announced on that, as of this writing. A thread on the official Discord notes that there will be more information on that in a “week or two.”
Those interested in competing can learn more information on the official Porsche Esports Carrera Cup North America Discord.