Fanatec's groundbreaking GT3 Partnership Means Teams Earn Real Points from Sim Racing
Thomas Jackermeier
Member
This is big news for sim racing.
We’ve all seen real-world pro drivers compete in sim racing, but it has always been for fun, for charity, for practice, or for bragging rights. But what if sim racing events counted towards a real-world championship? We’ve made it happen. Our multi-year deal with SRO Motorsports Group introduces a brand new concept to merge sim racing and motorsport even closer together.
Fanatec is now the title sponsor of the GT World Challenge Powered by AWS and the new GT2 European Series.
Yes, we are talking about the real cars.
But this is the more exciting part:
For the first time in global motorsport history, sim racing will directly influence the outcome of a real-world championship.
During all five rounds of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup and Total 24 Hours of Spa, esports contests will be hosted using Assetto Corsa Competizione, the official video game of the Fanatec GT World Challenge Powered by AWS. Both Pro and Silver teams will nominate one actual race driver to participate in a virtual race which awards championship points. The official rules and regulations will be announced at a later date.
This is truly a groundbreaking milestone for motorsport as well as for esports. Never before have we seen an athlete compete in both virtual and real life for championship points. This increases the importance of sim racers for race teams and in future you will rarely see a race driver who is not training in a simulator at home. I hope other racing series will follow as this is a great way to reach a young audience and allows online-races at any time of the year at minimum cost. A great and entertaining addition to the loud and exciting track racing we all love.
And of course in this series, the new BMW M4 GT3 will use a Fanatec steering wheel. It all comes together and S.R.O. and ourselves have even bigger plans.
Comments
Fair play Thomas, you have clearly been busy! Exciting news :-)
well done, congratulation 👍️
Congratulations Fanatec team.
Awesome news! This is a very big step for Simracing! Good job Fanatec!
This screams for a Podium Quickrelease and a Podium/Clubsport GT3 Steering wheel :D
Which you will get with the BMW M4 GT3 Steering Wheel ;)
I still hope for a sim only version, otherwise I have to sell my BMW for it ;)
lol sell a BMW for a BMW, who can say that xD
Or let's see what the TÜV says about installing this steering wheel into the road car ;D
Dunno what I need to think about this.
I'm hoping for 2 things - 1. Fanatec continue to deliver GT3 rims (a wider array). 2. Kunos continue to support ACC. Both 1 and 2 receive important feedback from SRO regarding feel, strength and delivery of FFB.
The only thing I am really curious about is the new QuickRelease Adapter and how to change that one with the current one?
I own 4 different steering wheels and change them frequently depending which car I race!
Now with the introduction of the new BMW Steering Wheel and QuickRelease this might be interesting if the change of the QR is easy and fast or what's your plan here FANATEC?
I guess I am not the only Customer with this thoughts and different steering wheels in use ;)
thanks and br
philipp
To see how to exchange the Quick Release Shaft on your Podium DD Base you only need to have a look at the manual. It's described in there ;)
Thanks Maurice,
"Wer lesen kann ist klar im Vorteil ;)"
Chapter 5.5 Changing the Quick Release, now it's clear.
Anyway this is much more effort to change between Steering Wheels as without changing the QR every time 🤦♂️
Also when I read some Forum discussions there is a big amount of users which I think will struggle with that change when they already get in trouble with much easier stuff 😂
I hope Fanatec will provide a similar steering wheel with the "old" Podium Quick Release.
Honestly it's great that Fanatec is in GT3 Partnership and provide us soon a new great Steering Wheel which will work in real Car and Simulation but how many existing Customer will have this real Race Car at home???
So in my opinion it's awesome what can be done technically but if this makes sense for Simulation Customers is another question.
What do you personal think which percentage of existing Customer will have a real Car at home where they can/will use this Wheel on?
<1% I think.
Don't understand me wrong, it's all good and I love your products, I just want to see more different Podium products available.
Sometimes it's better to think Customer needs instead of technical prospects ;)
br
Philipp
Fantastic :D :D :D
Hello friends,
What is the Fanatec componements for the series?
It look like the CSL Elite F1 Bundle, but I'm not sure.
Have a good day,
Michel