Supercars eyes eSports programme

According to the category’s official website, Supercars is looking to begin its foray into pro gaming with a virtual race between fans and professional drivers, using existing platforms and software.

Supercars already features on the Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport console games, as well as online simulation programme iRacing.

Electronics retailer Harvey Norman, major backer of Simona de Silvestro’s Nissan Altima, is working with Supercars on the plan to enter what has become a $1.2 billion global industry.

“One of the strategies we’re driving as part of the 2025 vision is to engage with new fans,” series CEO James Warburton told Supercars.com.

“I think we’re extremely well advanced in this area because the platforms already exist.

“We’ve got the games with our cars and teams already on them, as well as big events and the capacity to stream it online through our digital platforms.

“We’re working through an association with Harvey Norman to figure out exactly what it looks like.

“The ability to bring Bathurst to life through an eSports event and giving fans the ability to race against our Supercars drivers is certainly a logical option.

“It’s very much in the development phase, but it’s an area where a lot of sports are currently looking to get into and it’s a shared vision with Harvey Norman.”

Motorsport’s most recognised link to the eSports world is the GT Academy system, which has been turning gamers into professional drivers for the best part of a decade.

Formula E has taken a front-foot approach to eSports as well, gamer Bono Huis winning a $200,000 jackpot back in January after beating fellow gamers and professional drivers during the Vegas eRace weekend.

McLaren has also made its first step into the eSports industry, offering a job as F1 simulator driver to the winner of a new competition called ‘World’s Fastest Gamer’.

The Supercars announcement follows a similar announcement from the Australian Football League, which is looking at a stadium-based digital tournament in the future.

In international terms, the popular FIFA franchise has already enjoyed success as an eSports platform, while the NBA is set to launch its own gaming league next year. 

Big sporting teams in Europe have started to create eSports teams as well, including football giants Paris Saint-Germain in France and Bundesliga sides FC Schalke 04 and VfL Wolfsburg in Germany.