ARG eSport Cup adds 'do-or-die' qualifying race
The remaining rounds of the ARG eSport Cup will feature a qualifying race with three wildcard spots in the main event up for grabs.
After a packed 52-car grid for the opener a fortnight ago led to technical issues in the broadcast, Australian Racing Group elected to cap the grid at 40 cars for the second round last Thursday.
With demand from drivers across the spectrum of ARG-run categories still high, a compromise has now been found in the form of a do-or-die qualifying race.
Taking place on Wednesdays, the top three from the qualifying race will go through the Thursday's main event.
That means a 43-car grid going forward, starting at this week's Watkins Glen round.
ARG is expecting more than 20 cars to enter tonight's first qualifying race, with strict driving standards regulations that will see infringements punished by instant disqualification.
“The amount of interest that we are receiving to be involved is really encouraging,” said ARG boss Matt Braid.
“We’ll start this week with three extra entries, and we’ll review that number moving forward, but for now it will make for another exciting element of the carsales ARG Cup.
“Last week’s racing was very entertaining, and on the Watkins Glen circuit, we feel that there’s going to be a great night of racing action.”
TCR Australia driver Dylan O'Keeffe currently leads the series from BTCC champion Ash Sutton and Trans-Am regular Nathan Herne.
You can stream the ARG eSport Cup live and free through Motorsport.tv.
Previous article
World of Outlaws addresses Kyle Larson's use of racial slur
Next article
Supercars adds $1000 prize to Eseries
About this article
| Series | Esports |
| Author | Andrew van Leeuwen |
Live: World eX Prix of Malaysia
Sim racing to feature in Olympics virtual games
How an unlikely tie-up won sim racing's biggest prize
An unlikely partnership between World Endurance Championship LMP1 privateers Rebellion Racing and Williams Formula 1's highly-successful sim racing team yielded victory in the inaugural 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual. Here's how it triumphed in the biggest sim race ever staged
How seriously should Esports be taken?
As interest in Esports has increased during the coronavirus lockdown, the lines have become blurred between what's real and what's virtual - especially when some high-profile participants seem to be playing for laughs, says Luke Smith
Why Abt's deception left Audi with no choice
Daniel Abt's suspension by the Audi Formula E team - and possible loss of his drive - for fielding a ringer in an Esports event could be considered an overreaction. But in a wider context, his employers had little other alternative
How Leclerc is embracing his new mission
The emergence of Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc as a Twitch streaming star has been one of the pleasant surprises of lockdown so far. He says it is giving fans a greater insight into his nature, but that's not his primary purpose
Leclerc's Virtual GP annihilation deserves great credit
The introduction of Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, George Russell and Antonio Giovinazzi to Formula 1's Virtual GP last weekend meant it was a step above the franchise's debut two weeks ago. But a dominant performance from Esports newcomer Leclerc stole the show
How the hidden side of being fast has been exposed
The lack of real track action so far this year hasn't stop drivers from keeping their racing brains 'fresh', as former F1 star Stoffel Vandoorne suggested last weekend.
Why entertainment isn't Esports greatest virtue right now
MotoGP's virtual #StayAtHomeGP was a sad reminder of some of the storylines that could be unfolding had the real-life season not been delayed indefinitely by the coronavirus pandemic. While we can bemoan Esports as being a poor relation of the real thing, it has an even more important function to perform
F1’s pantomime Virtual GP is fun but unsustainable
F1 Esports' inaugural Virtual Grand Prix last weekend provided brilliant entertainment to those tuning in to watch a mix of F1 drivers and celebrities battle on track, but was a missed opportunity for marketing its own Esports stars. A change of approach is needed if it is to successfully fill the void until the resumption of proper racing
