Volkswagen Motorsport associates with IR eSports for the second season of Indian Sim Racing League

• Aims to engage the motorsport talent by associating with IR eSports
• 20-year-old Sai Prithvi from Chennai battled off 28 participants to win the championship cycle of ISRL2 and earns himself testing with a Volkswagen Motorsport racecar
• Abdul Fattah secured 2nd position with 191 points and earns himself kart training with Rayo Racing
• 3rd position was earned by Raiden Samervel with 172 points and gets a free race entry courtesy IndiKarting

Mumbai – Volkswagen Motorsport India has collaborated with IR eSports, one of the leading players in Simulator Racing in India, for the second and upcoming season of Indian Sim Racing League (ISRL). Through this unique association, Volkswagen Motorsport plans to raise the decibel of engagement and excitement around fun-to-drive experience off the track. This platform provides opportunity to all the racing enthusiasts to embark on a journey of thrill, power and fun.

The online iRacing platform allows participants to race against each other using simulators. The races are aired live on multiple social media channels, with viewers relishing the exciting action coupled with telecast quality graphics which offers racer info, leader board and other prominent information on the screen. The ISRL functions exactly like any other motorsport competition, with a proper rule book and experienced officials. Each round consists of two practice sessions totaling 90 minutes, a 10 minute qualifying and a 20 minute race. Points are awarded as per the Volkswagen India Championship with additional points for pole position and fastest lap.

The current season, concluded on May 1, 2020, had Indian racers from 14 different cities, competing in five rounds at International Circuits, in an FIA homologated Dallara Formula 3 car, with identical setup. Some of the world’s iconic circuits like Silverstone, Daytona and Laguna Seca tested the capabilities of racers.

In the final race on the Laguna Seca track, Chennai’s Amith Kutti grabbed pole in qualifying, a mere eight-thousandth of a second ahead of points leader, Sai Prithvi. As the lights went out, a determined Prithvi went breathing down the tail of the leader pressurizing him into an error. Kutti and Prithvi exchanged fastest laps before Kutti tragically hit a back marker. The resulting suspension damage forced him to retire. Title challenger Abdul Fattah from Thrissur then crashed and had to pit which lost him valuable time and ended any hopes of the title. Jessie Jakhar was the star of the race, climbing from seventeenth to finish fourth.

Sai Prithvi’s four victories and 252 points were sufficient to crown him champion. He earns himself testing with a Volkswagen Motorsport racecar. Abdul Fattah eventually finished eleventh to secure 2nd in the standings with 191 points and earns himself kart training with Rayo Racing. Raiden Samervel with 172 points was third and gets a free race entry courtesy IndiKarting.

Mr. Sirish Vissa, Head of Volkswagen Motorsport India said, “Our core goal has always been to develop and nurture young racing talent in this country and we are always exploring new avenues to connect with the right target audience. We believe in this current situation, collaborating with IR eSports is the right way to make motorsport racing accessible across a wider audience.”

He further added, “The champion gets a chance to drive a Volkswagen race car at the circuit which is a unique opportunity.”

“Growing grassroots motorsport has always been a passion for us. We gained a lot of knowledge organising India’s largest eSports Racing Championship since last year. The lockdown created the perfect opportunity for eSports and we are happy to create a competitive avenue for motorsport to grow in India via iRacing. Volkswagen Motorsport have been vital to the growth of motorsport in India and we are very grateful for them joining hands with us on this exciting journey.” said 8 Time Champion and founder of IR eSports, Rayomand Banajee.

The next season of the ISRL in association with Volkswagen Motorsport India, will commence on Friday 8th May with upgrades and changes to the format, which will make it more exciting for viewers and increase the challenge for racers. The races will be viewable live on IR eSports’s social media platforms where the spectators root for their favourite driver while throwing some healthy wordplay.

All participants stand to win Volkswagen Motorsport India merchandise. To register, visit IR eSports on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram.