The global search for the best sim racing talent continues for a fourth season in 2023
Sant’Agata Bolognese, 31st May 2023 – The launch of The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports season in 2023 marks the fourth edition of the highly-regarded virtual contest for Lamborghini fans worldwide. The vastly refreshed competition format, held on the Assetto Corsa Competizione platform, features new and exciting format changes and gives participants the chance to test themselves against the best talent in elite Esport competition across three continents.
Featuring the latest Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO2 race car, The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports is Lamborghini’s most ambitious esports project yet and reflects the super sports car manufacturer’s values of authentic, brave and unexpected in the thrilling environment of Esports.
Format changes for 2023
New for this season is an opportunity for aspiring Esport talent to showcase their skills live, on-site at a selection of world-famous racing venues throughout Europe. Running alongside the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe Powered by AWS racing paddock, the Fanatec Arena gives the public a chance to try their hand at cutting-edge racing simulations, with the fastest driver from each event earning a wildcard entry into The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports Grand Final.
On-site locations
- Circuit Paul Ricard | June 3rd
- Circuit of Spa-Francorchamps | July 2nd
- Nürburgring | July 29th
Running alongside the circuit activations, drivers from the European region are invited to participate in a four-round online racing series, preceded by a hot-stint competition ahead of each standalone racing event. The NALA and APAC regions each have a single hot-stint qualification followed by a regional final featuring the 24 best drivers from each region.
In addition, the Lamborghini Abu Dhabi and Dubai dealers have become the first globally to partner in the Real Race programme, by organizing a simulator tour around leading schools and universities in Abu Dhabi and Dubai to scout for the best student racing ‘drivers’ in the Emirates. The best three students will represent the UAE in the tournament final.
For the European drivers, the challenge will be to qualify for each race via a leaderboard hot-stint competition, with the fastest 24 drivers from the qualifiers progressing to a standalone race, using the widely-regarded Assetto Corsa Competizione simulation to determine the top four finishers who progress to the on-site final at the Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit.
The qualified drivers (16 in total) plus one additional wildcard qualifiers from each of the on-site activations at Paul Ricard, Spa-Francorchamps and Nürburgring, plus the three from Lamborghini Abu Dhabi and Dubai, will make up a 23 driver final grid. These European finalists and wildcard entrants will be invited to the Fanatec Arena to take part in an on-site grand final alongside the GT World Challenge race weekend at the famous Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit.
A ‘money can’t buy’ prize
The goal for each of the participants in our The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports series will be to finish first in the Grand Final, and with it, win a money-can’t-buy opportunity to become a factory driver in the new Automobili Lamborghini Esports Team, joining a professional esports team taking part in some of the most difficult and prestigious Esports racing activations throughout the world. The winners of the NALA and APAC region will also join the Lamborghini family as proud representatives of the brand within championships from their own regions.
The tournament expands Lamborghini’s reach in international virtual motorsport, changing the lives and careers of those good enough to take the step to the top of the Esports racing podium.
Schedule
The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports season features an action-packed calendar of events beginning in June for European competitors, and starting in August for APAC and NALA participants.
European Hot-stint Qualification
Circuit Paul Ricard
Start: June 5th at 11:00 CEST / End: June 12th at 10:00 CEST
Monza Grand Prix Circuit
Start: June 12th at 11:00 CEST / End: June 19th at 10:00 CEST
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Start: June 19th at 11:00 CEST / End June 26th at 10:00 CEST
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
Start June 26th at 11:00 CEST / End: July 3rd at 10:00 CEST
European Qualification Races
Race 1 – Paul Ricard June 15th at 19:30 CEST
Race 2 – Monza June 22nd at 19:30 CEST
Race 3 – Barcelona June 29th at 19:30 CEST
Race 4 – Spa July 6th at 19:30 CEST
NALA Hot-stint Qualifying
Indianapolis
Start August 14th at 10:00 CEST / End August 28th at 10:00 CEST
APAC Hot-stint Qualifying
Suzuka
Start August 17th at 10:00 CEST / End August 31st at 10:00 CEST
European Regional Final (on-site)
Date: July 30th 2023
Race 1 – Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit
Race 2 – Nürburgring Grand Prix Circuit
NALA Regional Final (online)
Date: September 2nd 2023
Race 1 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix Course
Race 2 – Indianapolis Motor Speedway Grand Prix Course
APAC Regional Final (online)
Date: September 6th 2023
Race 1 – Suzuka Circuit
Race 2 – Suzuka Circuit
Live Streaming and Official Website
All events of The Real Race – Super Trofeo Esports will be broadcast live and exclusive on the official Lamborghini Squadra Corse YouTube and social media channels.
Further information about the series can be found on the official website: https://esports.lamborghini//
The Real Race Official Technical Partner: Assetto Corsa Competizione
Assetto Corsa Competizione is the new official GT World Challenge video game. Thanks to the extraordinary quality of simulation, the game allows players to experience the real atmosphere of the FIA GT3 homologated championship, competing against official drivers, teams, cars and circuits, reproduced in-game with the highest level of accuracy ever achieved. Sprint, Endurance and Spa 24 Hours races come to life with an incredible level of realism, in both single and multiplayer modes.
Assetto Corsa Competizione is born from KUNOS Simulazioni’s long-term experience, and it takes full advantage of Unreal Engine 4 to ensure photorealistic weather conditions and graphics, night races, motion capture animations, reaching a new standard in terms of driving realism and immersion thanks to its further improved tyre and aerodynamic models.
About AK Esports
Ak Esports is an Italian company leader in the organization of Esports competitions, Esports team management and events all over Europe, with a special focus on Sim Racing. Created by Ak Informatica, Italian PC gaming experts, since 2004 the company has seen a steady growth every year since then, working on the latest technology and gaming titles to develop Esports Entertainment. Ak Esports developed several Esports assets for many different car manufacturers and in 2019 together with SRO Motorsport Group and Kunos Simulazioni created the first SRO Esports Championship. Find out more about AK at www.akesports.it.