Bsimracing Sim Racing Resources and News for the racing enthousiast.
Mercedes-AMG motorsport has initiated, a new multi-platform virtual championship that gives sim racing enthusiasts around the world the opportunity to win a drive in a real Mercedes-AMG race car.
(No further details about this price were shared at the time of writing.)
This Virtual Championship that will start this September will be run on PC using the Assetto Corsa Competizione and iRacing simulator platforms, while console users can participate via the PlayStation 4 & 5 using Polyphony Digital’s Gran Turismo 7 title.
Key Features:
- Multi-platform: The championship spans across three popular sim racing platforms: Assetto Corsa Competizione, iRacing, and Gran Turismo 7.
- Competitive Divisions: Drivers are divided into two divisions based on their skill level, ensuring fair competition for all participants.
- Mercedes-AMG GT3: All races feature the iconic Mercedes-AMG GT3, providing a consistent and thrilling driving experience.
- Grand Prize: The overall champion will have the incredible opportunity to drive a real Mercedes-AMG race car.
- Accessibility: While skill is important, the championship also includes a raffle system to give a wider range of drivers a chance to participate.
Those who are interested to compete in this championship can Sign Up Here.
Check out the official info below.
Championship Format
The Virtual Championship provides an engaging and enjoyable experience for all participants. Gamification aspects meet classic sim racing action, bringing you a never-before-played competition on your favorite title.
Participants can choose their preferred title to take part in the competition. They can choose between iRacing, Assetto Corsa Competizione, or Gran Turismo 7. Drivers will compete against others on the same platform, but all drivers across all platforms will collect points for the same Virtual Championship. Points are collected throughout the season, with exclusive prices for the top three drivers across all titles at the end of the season. Winners will get to experience the three pillars of Mercedes-AMG Motorsport in the fields of Customer Racing, Formula 1, and Virtual Motorsport up close – you don’t want to miss this!
The inaugural season in 2024, ‘Season Zero’, with all three titles combined, allows only 168 drivers –slots are rare, so better secure yours now! All drivers will race on the same circuits in the Mercedes-AMG GT3 to collect points for the Virtual Championship. Each title will be split into two Divisions: iRacing and Assetto Corsa Competizione will have 28 drivers in Division 1 and 28 drivers in Division 2. Gran Turismo 7 will be split into two first Divisions and two-second Divisions, each consisting of 14 drivers.
To sign up, you must register in AMG Private Lounge and join the Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Virtual Championship group. Before setting your hot lap, make sure to review the sporting rules in the AMG Private Lounge.
How To: Hot Laps
We know that sim racing is all about performance and who crosses the finish line first. However, the Virtual Championship aims to give drivers of various skill levels the chance to have a fair and competitive experience.
To participate, drivers of at least 16 years of age must set minimum of one valid hot lap on WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca between August 14th and August 30th, 2024. Drivers can only take part in the hot laps using either iRacing, Gran Turismo 7 or Assetto Corsa Competizione.
Final participants are chosen through a combination of hot lap times and a raffle system. The fastest lap time will be used to assign drivers to the first Divisions. Once the hot lap phase ends on August 30th at 11:59 PM CEST, the fastest 28 drivers of each title will advance to their slots in Division 1. The remaining drivers from the hot laps will enter a raffle, from which drivers for Division 2 are drawn on a random basis. There will also be a waitlist for each title to fill up slots before the season starts.
Six Action Packed Race Days
Get ready for action-packed races, spanning from September to November 2024. There’s no time to waste, start racing sooner rather than later!
Each race day consists of two races on the same track: a traditional sim race and a gamified version with additional challenges, such as a drive-through option or aggravated weather conditions, for extra points. Don’t panic – the challenges will be announced on each race day.
After three race days, in every title, the top three drivers of each Division will be promoted, and the last three will be relegated.
The time until the first race is passing faster than you expect. Better start training now and show us that you’re ready to be a champion.
Exclusive Benefits For MERCEDES-AMG Owners
Mercedes-AMG owners who would like to participate in the Mercedes-AMG Motorsport Virtual Championship have the chance to benefit from an exclusive coaching session with professional AMG Esports driver Elias Seppänen. He regularly participates in various virtual races throughout the year and is here to give you valuable tips to maximize your performance.
Dates and timings for the coaching sessions will be announced soon via the AMG Private Lounge Virtual Championship Group – make sure to join.
FAQ:
How does the Championship format work?
All 168 drivers can collect points for the Virtual Championship. In the current format, points collected by drivers in the first Divisions will be counted in the Virtual Championship without any multiplying factor. Points collected by drivers in the Second Division will be counted to the Virtual Championship with a factor of 0.7.
What about the promotion and relegation?
After three race days, the last three drivers of the First Division will be relegated, and the first three drivers in the Second Division will be promoted. This promotion and relegation system also affects the points in the Virtual Championship. That means that also drivers from Division 2 still have the chance to secure one of the top three prizes, even if they started in the second Division.
What is the difference between Race 1 and Race 2 on each Race Day?
Race 1 is a traditional sim race, as we all know it. Race 2, however, includes gamifications or challenges, which will be announced in the drivers’ briefing published before each race day. Drivers can earn bonus points for completing these challenges, but the points can only be counted once per race. This allows for more strategic decisions towards the end of the season.
How is the number of drivers per title defined?
We allow 28 drivers per Division in iRacing and Assetto Corsa Competizione. In Gran Turismo, the number of drivers is fixed at 14 per Division. To compensate for the lower number of drivers, there will be two first and two-second Divisions in Gran Turismo, also resulting in a total of 28 drivers per Division.
How can I follow the AMG VC if I do not get one of the 168 slots?
Season Zero is just the beginning. Whether you’re a part of the Virtual Championship now or just a keen follower, make sure to stick around to follow the journey. Registered users have the chance to participate in the development of the Virtual Championship by voting for gamification options and are the first to learn about upcoming seasons. Follow the Mercedes-AMG Motorsport channels on Instagram, Facebook, and X to stay up to date and make sure you are a member of the Virtual Championship Group in the AMG Private Lounge.
Official Webpage – www.mercedes-amg.com/virtualchampionship
