Following the recent Manufacturers Cup and Nations Cup events, which were pre-recorded, Sony’s racing esports series visits Red Bull’s Hangar-7 for a live and in-person event for the first time since before the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Gran Turismo World Series Showdown 2022 will be live from Salzburg, Austria this weekend, 30th-31st July, and the action can be followed via the Gran Turismo TV YouTube channel.
Of note, this is also the first live event utilising Gran Turismo 7.
The showdown is a special event that takes the 2021 Manufacturers and Nations finalists, and therefore winners, and pits them against up-and-coming drivers who have performed the best via the in-game competitions within Gran Turismo 7 in the first half of 2022.
As per usual, 12 car manufacturers will be present, whereas on the Nations Cup side there will be a total of 32 drivers – 16 from 2021 competitions, 16 from 2022 competitions.
The new contenders will be racing against the likes of reigning Nations Cup champion Valerio Gallo and the Toyota squad of Igor Fraga,
Subaru was the opening victor of the 2022 season thanks to Takuma Miyazono, while Brazilian Lucas Bonelli won the Nations Cup race at Watkins Glen.
Nations Cup Showdown format
In order the whittle down such a large entry, there will be a qualifying session followed by three regional finals: Europe/Middle East/Africa, Americas and Asia-Oceania. These will be held on Deep Forest Raceway, Daytona Road Course and Fuji Speedway.
The top three drivers from each of the regional races will then advance to the grand final. Drivers in fourth to seventh place will advance to a repechage. Think of this as a last-chance-qualifier. The top three from this race make it through to the grand final too.
The final is a 30-lap race around Trail Mountain in the Gran Turismo Red Bull X2019 Competition.
Manufacturers Cup Showdown format
Each car Manufacturer has three drivers per car, one from each region. Each team decides which driver to qualify. Then, during the races, there are driver swaps.
The race is 48 laps of Trial Mountain in Gr.3 cars.
What’s up for grabs
In the Nations Cup, those who make it into the grand final, regardless of finishing position, will also qualify for the second and third rounds of 2022 World Series plus the World Finals in Monaco.
Both of the events start at 8 pm BST / 9 pm CEST on the Saturday and Sunday.
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