Toyota 86 front runner Jaden Ransley has secured a late seat with the kiwi-based Track Tec Racing TCR team to compete in the upcoming carsales ARG eSport Cup.
The 18-year-old Christchurch-based racer has scored two victories and eight podium finishes throughout this year’s Toyota 86 championship to sit third in the standings.
But with the coronavirus-induced lockdown putting a pause on all New Zealand motorsport activity, Ransley is keen to keep both his skills and competitive spirit sharp in the virtual series.
“I’m super excited to be joining with Track Tec Racing for this new CarSales ARG Esports cup,” said Ransley.
“It’s awesome to still be a part of some form of competitive motorsport at these times and I look forward to kicking it all off on Thursday.
“The format is compact and we all have a decent shot at it, so it’s going to be a lot of fun and far from predictable. Racing Sims are supporting me and have been super helpful in getting me up to speed so it’s down to me now.”
The virtual series will use the popular subscription-based iRacing software, and the competition will run a mix of both touring car and open-wheeler races.
The competition itself has attracted several high-quality entries, including drivers from the TCR Australia championship, S5000, and a host of other categories.
Track Tec Racing has secured seven entries for the competition, boasting a strong line-up of upcoming New Zealand talent.
The inaugural round of the ARG eSport Cup is from Mount Panorama tomorrow evening from 10 pm NZT.
All entrants will race the Audi TCR car and both qualifying and two races will be compacted into one 90-minute race meeting.
All races will be broadcast via the TCR Australia and S5000 Facebook and YouTube channels.