With Tracks Still Off Limits, Lamborghini, BMW, Formula E Enhance Virtual Racing

Calling your video game “real” is a bit of a bold move, but what would you expect from Lamborghini? The company that won’t build a car unless it has a “LOOK AT ME!!!” design is officially entering the world of eSports for the first time with its virtual one-make series called The Real Race. The online tournament starts today and will continue over five qualifier weekends this summer. To end the competition, Lamborghini will hold a live final at its headquarters in Sant’Agata Bolognese, Italy in September.

Racers in the competition will be getting behind the wheel of a digital Huracán GT3 EVO that has an exclusive race livery that can be customized in 12 different ways. If you’re interested in participating, registration for the Assetto Corsa Competizione is now open here and play is free throughout the weekend.

There is an actual, real, real-world angle to The Real Race. There will first be five qualifier weekends between now and August 2. The best players from these races (the top three from the first and last weekend and the top two from the others) will compete in the live finals on September 18. Former Formula One driver David Coulthard will provide studio-based commentary for that race and the top three finishers will then be invited to Italy for a three-day Lamborghini experience. They will be able to train with Lamborghini Squadra Corse drivers and drive a real Lamborghini on the track.

There are a whole slew of online racing happening these days. Since the last in-person race in Marrakesh, Morocco on February 29, Formula E has been hosting its “Race At Home Challenge” to keep the series alive while fans and teams are locked down. The virtual races have been about more than points, though, with Formula E and UNICEF raising money through the events to support children affected by the coronavirus. You can find ways to watch the digital series here.

BMW has also been promoting its forays into virtual racing, especially this week when the brand finally reached the podium in the IMSA iRacing Pro Series season. The race happened “at” the Virginia International Raceway and Canadian driver Bruno Spengler took his virtual BMW M8 GTE to a fifth-place finish. The season finale of this series takes place June 11.

BMW also announced today that a realistic BMW M4 GT4 vehicle will be available to race on the sim racing platform iRacing starting in June. BMW worked with iRacing developers for 18 months to make the digital experience feel like a real racing car. There’s that word again.