As the current epidemic is still spreading around the world, almost all major events have been forced to “sleep”. Motorsport has been hit particularly hard during this difficult time. As a result, the 2020 season of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia will also be officially postponed. When travel restrictions are lifted and health and safety are guaranteed, an exciting race on the track will be presented to fans.
However, the ongoing global crisis has not dampened Porsche’s passion for motorsport in the slightest. In order to provide fans with a bloody speed competition and provide a platform for racing drivers to sway their blood, Porsche China launched the virtual racing version of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia for the first time, calling many powerful drivers to gather online , presenting a different kind of speed and passion together.
How does the virtual race work?
By restoring the classic race track of the Cup, the virtual racing has realized the perfect combination of virtual and reality, providing drivers with a unique racing experience. At that time, a number of 2020 season participating drivers and previous season champions will compete with simulator champions, media and special guests for eight rounds of fierce competition. The virtual racing uses a professional simulation engine – “Assetto Corsa”. This e-sports software is used in the Shanghai Porsche Experience Center and the simulated drivers in the Cup VIP lounge, providing Porsche drivers with familiar with.
Drivers can choose to use the dedicated server at home, or go to the Shanghai Porsche Experience Center to participate in the race. There are up to 24 drivers in each race, and they will drive the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (Type 911 II) to start a racing journey that is exactly the same as the actual Porsche Carrera Cup Asia.
The competition will be broadcast live worldwide, and viewers can watch it online at https://www.huya.com/20591143. Practice and qualifying for the first race will start at 16:00 on April 26, Beijing time. The first race will be played at 16:46 – 17:06. After a short break, the second game will start at 17:43 – 18:03. (The above times are subject to change)
Cup old friends gathered in the new battlefield
The lineup of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia virtual race is very eye-catching, and more strong competitors are expected to join. At that time, a number of cup champions will gather together to compete fiercely like never before on the virtual track. Including Chris van der Drift, the three-time champion of the year, Darryl O’ Young, the two-time champion of the year, Nico Menzel, the 2016 season champion, and Bao Jinlong, the two-time gentleman’s champion of the year , and 2015 Gentleman Group Champion of the Year (Yuey Tan). In addition to the above-mentioned legendary drivers, a number of rookies for the 2020 season will also appear, including Reid Harker, Eshan Pierris and Jonathan Hoggard. Teams such as Starchaser, Modena Motorsports, Absolute Racing, Earl Bamber Motorsport and AAS Motorsport also appear on the entry list. In addition, there is the French team Team Martinet by Almeras, which made its debut in the Cup, and the racing studio team CUITIMATE of former Cup driver Cui Yue.
Enable Cup Classic Track
The tracks selected for the virtual race are all from the real tracks of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. For example, the opening race will start at the Shanghai International Circuit, which is the only track in China that meets the FIA Formula 1 standards, and Shanghai is also the home base of Porsche China. In the second round, the race will move to the famous Suzuka International Circuit in Japan. This legendary track was used by the Cup for the first time in the 2019 season and is deeply loved by fans and drivers. In the third round, the battle will be ignited at the Buriram International Circuit in Thailand, which also appeared on the Cup’s 2015 and 2016 season calendar. Finally, the finale will be back at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia, where the 2003 Cup debut was held. There are eight rounds of competition in the season, and each station will hold two games.
