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Becoming a World Champion on a PlayStation…

25.10.2018

E-racing is on a roll and Kazunori Yamouchi is right at the forefront. The creator of Gran Turismo Sport has teamed up with the FIA to create the first GT Sport FIA World Championship, the first officially recognised sim competition in the world.

 

 

Becoming a World Champion on a PlayStation…

The concept was simple and drew on previous experiences with the GT Academy, which produced top-class race drivers such as Lucas Ordonez and Florian Strauss. But the competition differs from the latter as this is a standalone championship and a FIA world champion will be crowned at the end of the year.

 

 

Becoming a World Champion on a PlayStation…

Anyone who owned a PlayStation and the GT Sport game was able to compete in an online competition from the comfort of their own home. The 90 fastest drivers were selected to go on to compete in a series of regional finals, one held in Japan, one held in Madrid and another to be held later this month in the USA.

 

 

Becoming a World Champion on a PlayStation…

We followed the Euro finals in Madrid very closely and although no actual race cars were ever fired up, the event at Games Week was certainly a spectacle to behold. The 30 fastest European drivers, from 13 different nations, were divided into three groups and each entered a qualifying race that narrowed down the field to 10 finalists. The grand finale was a thriller right to the end, with some incredibly close racing making for an unexpectedly thrilling spectacle. In the end it was the German Mikhail who took the laurels in Europe, but all ten finalists will go on to the World Final in November.

 

 

Becoming a World Champion on a PlayStation…

The European Final was broadcast around the world in its entirety on social media and YouTube, in no less than five languages. It was watched by thousands of spectators. I think we can safely say that “Kaz” is onto something big.

 

 

Becoming a World Champion on a PlayStation…

Watch the demo video here: