Eight entries from two New Zealand TCR teams have been entered for the inaugural Carsales ARG eSport Cup.
The online competition, promoted by the Australian Racing Group, will see a large contingent of drivers from TCR, S5000 and a host of other categories compete in a virtual championship while the on-track action remains suspended.
Highlands-based kiwi outfit Track Tec Racing has secured seven entries for the ARG eSport cup.
The team brought two Audi TCR cars over for the ill-fated inaugural TCR Asia-Pacific Cup at Albert Park. New Zealander Jack Milligan and Dutch driver Stan van Oord both had their weekend cut short as the event was cancelled after practice and qualifying amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The duo will now get another opportunity to impress for the team in the virtual world.
The other Track Tec entries include ex-Audi works driver Niels Langevold who was at Albert Park as driver coach to van Oord.
Rowan Shephard will also compete, having traced for Track Tec in local NZ racing competition, as well as the TCR Spa 500 last year.
Timaru-based driver Tim Dossett has also signed with Track Tec Racing fresh off testing with the team. Dossett has expressed plans to race in the TCR New Zealand Championship when it kicks off.
Track Tec’s driver coach Andrew Waite will also represent the team, while former S5000 driver and SuperUtes race winner Tom Alexander makes up Track Tec’s seventh entry.
The eighth and final Kiwi entrant is Hyundai i30 N TCR owner/driver Rhys Gould.
“The ARG eSport Cup is a great way to stay engaged with the TCR and motorsport community,” Track Tec Racing team owner Carmen Doran told ARG.
“It’s also a good opportunity [for] how we can use the simulator as a tool to help drivers prepare for races.
“We have a simulator here at our Highlands workshop, so this will give us the opportunity [to] learn how to get the most out of it.
“Racing Sims has come to the rescue for Tom and Jack’s entries. They’ve gone over and above to help get them the right gear to be on track, and we hope that our strong contingent of drivers will represent us at the front of the field!”
Drivers in the Carsales ARG eSport Cup will compete on the iRacing software, alternating between the Audi TCR car and Formula 3 open-wheel racing, offering diverse competition over the 10-week competition.
The Carsales ARG eSport Cup is slated to kick off on Thursday, April 2.
