The current-day IndyCar Series racecar, in all three of its current-day forms, is headed to rFactor 2 next week. The INDYCAR IR-18, complete with Road Course, Short Oval and Superspeedway configurations, will be available just in time for a brand new pro esports competition featuring real-life IndyCar drivers this month.
The NTT IndyCar Series is the leading open-wheel racing series in North America. Famous for the annual tradition of the Indianapolis 500, the series visits a number of other tracks surrounding that event.
Mostly known for filling the schedule with road racing events, you might also find these Dallara-built IR-18 machines on short ovals, such as Iowa Speedway, Richmond Raceway or Phoenix Raceway.
The short oval package is completely different from the superspeedway oval package utilized during the Indy 500. Thankfully, rFactor 2 is bringing all three to the party for proper physics throughout the different racing venues. On top of that, the car will be equipped with in-car settings adjustments that can be changed on the fly, such as the well known Weight Jacker and Push-to-Pass features.
The car will also feature a choice of Honda or Chevrolet V6 powerplants.
It’s unknown at this time how much the car might cost. Regardless, it’s the first updated IndyCar on the platform since the DW12, so this is a welcome addition. The INDYCAR IR-18 releases on rFactor 2 7th February alongside the upcoming Ligier JS P320 LMP3.
IndyCar Esports Pro Challenge
These winged beasts will be on display with help from the real-world drivers of these machines.
The IndyCar-Motorsport Games Pro Challenge – featuring current NTT IndyCar Series drivers such as the defending series champion Álex Palou, four-time Indianapolis 500 champ Hélio Castroneves and two-time NTT IndyCar Series champion Josef Newgarden – will take place on 9th February, live on Traxion.GG’s YouTube, Facebook and Twitch channels.
“IndyCar fans are a passionate, global audience hungry for quality motorsports gaming content,” said SJ Luedtke, Vice President of Marketing at INDYCAR.
“With our partners at Motorsport Games, we are now able to bring those same fans a premier virtual esports experience, while also cultivating a new base of IndyCar supporters and followers. We cannot wait for everyone to see the first-ever IndyCar-Motorsport Games Pro Challenge this year and we are thrilled to keep producing these events in the many years to follow.”
A full list of drivers is not yet available, but just the mention of those three legends is more than enough to get me excited for the event personally.
On the 9th of February, IndyCar fans can tune in to the pre-race show at 6:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 p.m. GMT. At 6:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 p.m. GMT, the racing action begins with some heat racing.
There will be two heat races at 10 minutes apiece. The first one is set by a random grid order with points to be awarded. Heat two’s order is set by an invert, and points will also be awarded. The green flag for both heats will start at approximately 6:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 p.m. GMT.
After points are calculated, the order for the main event will be set by those points. The main race will be 20 minutes long, and double points will be awarded.
The top three finishers get to donate to the charity of their choice. The overall winner earns $10,000, second place gets $8,000, third place will score $5,000, and a random driver in the field will get to give away $2,500.
What do you think about the addition of the Dallara IR-18 to the rFactor 2 service? How about some of the worlds best IndyCar drivers strapping in for another virtual event, this time on a different platform than in previous years? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
INDYCAR PRO CHALLENGE SCHEDULE and FORMAT
- Broadcast begins – 6:00 pm ET / 11:00 pm GMT, 9th February 2022
- Heat 1 – 10-minute duration, random draw starting grid, points will be awarded
- Heat 2 – 10-minute duration, starting grid order to be the reverse of Heat 1, points will be awarded
- Race – 20-minute duration, starting grid order to be determined by points position after both heats, double points will be awarded
- Live on Traxion.GG YouTube, Facebook and Twitch
What the esports race live on the Traxion.GG YouTube, Facebook and Twitch channels, at 6:00 pm ET / 11:00 pm GMT on Wednesday 9th February.
Full disclosure – Traxion.GG is part of Motorsport Games and the Motorsport Games family of brands. All Traxion.GG content is editorially removed from Motorsport Games video game development and created by a dedicated team.
