The Michelin Virtual Racing Series 2021 is the company’s first major endeavour into the local e-sports industry.
Michelin Virtual Racing Series 2021 Open to Public for Time Trial Submissions
Michelin Malaysia kicked off its first-ever Michelin Virtual Racing Series 2021, an e-Racing competition that runs across June and July, with time trial submissions beginning from 8th until 27th June.
The top-94 participants with the fastest times will go through time trial Verification Sessions, then race head-to-head in Tournament Rounds, and ultimately, have the chance to win exciting prizes with a total worth of RM70,000, including new Michelin passenger car tyres and exclusive Michelin merchandise.
The Michelin Virtual Racing Series 2021 is the company’s first major endeavour into the local e-sports industry, as it celebrates all-inclusive mobility in the brand’s latest direction – Motion for Life. Now open to public for time trial submissions, the Michelin Virtual Racing Series 2021 will be hosted exclusively on Gran Turismo Sport, and is an official e-Racing sanctioned event under the Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM).
Oliver Biggart, Managing Director of Michelin Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei said, “As an active supporter of the e-sports and e-gaming industry on a global level, we are proud to channel our support locally as well, with the first-ever Michelin Virtual Racing Series in Malaysia. With the global pandemic limiting our movement in the real-world, we encourage residents of Malaysia – who are doing their part by staying at home and keeping everyone safe – to take part in this exciting journey with us from the comfort of their homes.”
As official partner of competitions such as the FIA Certified Gran Turismo Championships, the MotoGP eSport Championship and many others, Michelin is particularly active on the global sim racing front. Michelin was also the official partner of the first-ever Le Mans 24 Hours Virtual last year, which saw a grid of 50 Michelin-equipped prototypes and GT cars set off for the virtual edition of the prestigious twice-round-the-clock endurance race that simulated all the classic Le Mans 24 Hours scenarios – complete with mixed weather and real-life tyre strategies.
“In Motion for Life, Michelin recognises that a key area of what makes life special revolves around social interaction with other human beings; and in light of the pandemic, we are continuously finding ways around physical interaction to still bring people together to continue fostering connection, even on a virtual platform,” added Biggart.
Open to the public, the Michelin Virtual Racing Series 2021 competition will take place in three phases over the course of the next six weeks – beginning with time trial submissions open from 8th June until 27th June, 11:59PM. The Top 94 participants with the fastest times on the compulsory Sardegna Road Track A II using the BMW M6 GT3 M Power equipped with Michelin racing medium tyres will move into the Verification Sessions.
Upon completion of the verification stage (30th June to 6th July), contestants will then be grouped for the Tournament rounds of the Michelin Virtual Racing Series 2021. This will subsequently be held over the next two weekends – 10th & 11th July as well as 17th & 18th July.