The hunt is on to find New Zealand’s next great Kiwi racer to compete in the final race of the high-octane Eseries by the biggest motorsport brand in Australasia, Supercars. The Cash Converters Supercars Eseries is on now until 29 September, offering fans the perfect mix of Supercars traditional drivers (All Stars) and elite sim racers (Pro Series).
Now, fans have the chance to race against motorsport legends as a wildcard driver in the All Stars final of the Eseries.
Economic and cultural agency Auckland Unlimited has partnered with leading Australasian esports provider LetsPlay.Live to host the Auckland Supercars Eseries Wildcard Tournament, a qualifying esports tournament through motor-sim racing game title iRacing.
The winner of the tournament will represent Auckland Unlimited’s Team Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland as a ‘wildcard’ driver in the All Stars final race of the Cash Converters Supercars Eseries, driving against professional motorsport drivers. The final will take place on 29 September, from 7pm NZT.
Auckland Supercars Eseries Wildcard Tournament:
- A qualifier round, open to all New Zealand residents, will be open from 6-12 September, with budding esports racers to complete their fastest lap time in the Auckland Supercars Eseries Wildcard Time Attack session via https://www.iracing.com.
- Following the qualifying round, the top 10 New Zealand racers will compete in a live final, broadcast on Thursday 23 September, to find the winner.
- The Auckland Supercars Eseries Wildcard Final will be broadcast from 8PM NZT on Thursday 23 September at twitch.tv/letsplay.live, Auckland Unlimited’s Facebook page and Supercars digital channels. For more information on the tournament, broadcast and qualifiers, head to www.supercars.com/proeseries/auckland-supercars-eseries-wildcard-tournament/
Richard Clarke, Auckland Unlimited Head of Major and Business Events says it’s exciting to have a team in the Eseries and create opportunities for local gamers.
It is fantastic to work alongside Supercars and LPL to back Esports, particularly during this time, and to create a platform for talented drivers to put their best foot forward for the chance to compete alongside the pros in the final.
Last year, video game development in Aotearoa brought in nearly $325 million in revenue and employed more than 700 people, with 40% of gaming companies Auckland-based.
Clarke adds: “With the exponential growth globally of esports, there are clearly huge opportunities for the local industry and e-gamers, and in line with this we are actively exploring esports events as future additions to Auckland’s Major Events schedule.”
LetsPlay.Live’s Managing Director, Duane Mutu, is pleased to see support for Trans-Tasman motor-sim racing. “Supercars are an iconic Australasian brand and one of the first traditional sports in the region to fully embrace esports,” Mutu explains.
It’s our pleasure to be partnering with Auckland Unlimited to showcase Kiwi talent, and is fantastic to see the demand for esports content strengthen in the era of COVID-19.
Mitch Kane, Senior Partnerships Manager of Supercars says “It’s great to be able to welcome in Kiwi drivers to the Cash Converters Supercars Eseries for the first time. Our New Zealand fans have always shown endless support and enthusiasm for the Supercars brand and we’re thrilled to be able to showcase Kiwi talent in the Eseries this year.”