New Zealand driver Richie Stanaway will contest the first round of the Cash Converters Supercars Eseries for Auckland Unlimited’s team - Team Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Stanaway, who is set to compete as an Erebus Motorsport wildcard in this year’s Bathurst 1000 alongside fellow Kiwi Greg Murphy, will lean on his experience at the highest level of iRacing’s global leagues for the opening round of the series on Wednesday.
Pro gaming talent Fawzan El-Nabi will represent Team Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland in the Pro Series.
New Zealand born El-Nabi is one of Australia’s best up-and-coming online racers, taking out the inaugural wildcard competition in 2020 to win a seat in Round 8 of the series.
He claimed pole position in his Eseries debut, holding off the Supercars field at Phillip Island.
Showcasing the best motorsport talent New Zealand has to offer, Team Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland will incorporate a new All Stars driver each week for the six-round online competition.
The Auckland region is also known as Tāmaki Makaurau, broadly meaning in te reo Māori ‘a place desired by many’. This still remains true today as the region boasts stunning natural beauty, sparkling harbours, and a vibrant city culture.
Auckland has a rich pedigree in motorsport, having been home to some of the best race driving talent to come out of New Zealand including six-time Indy Car Champion Scott Dixon, current Formula 2 Star Liam Lawson and all current Kiwi Supercar main game drivers, Fabian Coultard, Andre Heimgarnter and current series leader Shane Van Gisbergen.
Auckland Unlimited is Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s economic and cultural agency committed to making the region a desirable place to live, work, visit, invest and do business.
Richard Clarke, Head of Major and Business Events, Auckland Unlimited said: “We’re thrilled to be part of the Supercars Eseries.
Over the past year, it’s been exciting to be involved in esports events with our partners as a way to stay connected with fans, most recently seeing a New Zealand round of the eSports WRC Championship.
“Auckland prides itself on offering a vibrant events calendar and esports events are an exciting addition to this.
“The exponential growth globally of esports provides fantastic future opportunities for the local industry and e-gamers and is something we are actively exploring as future additions to Auckland’s Major Events schedule.”
The Round 1 livery is set to be inspired by the Repco Bathurst 1000 Boot Party, which will be held for Auckland fans at Mount Smart Stadium on November 7. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketek.
Stanaway and El-Nabi join a list of current Repco Supercars Championship drivers already confirmed for the Cash Converters six-round Eseries, which will start on August 25.
The Eseries will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 506, Kayo, 7Plus, as well as streamed on Supercars’ Twitch, Facebook and YouTube channels.