A new initiative from the world’s favourite sim racing and reigning Praga Cup champion Jimmy Broadbent, in collaboration with his outfit Team87 and virtual racing platform Simracing.gp, will provide a season of karting for three worthy participants.
The Team87 Sim to Real competition will take three talented sim racers and place them within a season of karting.
A series of qualifying challengers on Assetto Corsa using race-tuned Mazda MX-5s will see a live-broadcast virtual race. The top 12 drivers of that will then go through to an in-person karting event held at the Buckmore Park circuit.
At the end of the day at the Kent track, three drivers will be picked to become a three-person squad, entered for Team87, in the 2023 Club100 endurance championship. Should that go well, there could be opportunities to test Broadbent’s racing cars, such as the #87 Goldie II Praga R1.
The programme reminds us a little of the former GT Academy or World’s Fastest Gamer television shows, but grounded in reality and with a structured progression ladder.
The virtual element of the competition requires participants to build up a Simracing.gp rank of 2000, and there will be set level-building races starting from today (3rd March) until 17th March 2023.
From there, five rounds run on the SGP platform begin on 22nd March in a knock-out format and will determine the grid for the live sixth and final virtual race on 26th April – the result of which lock in the Buckmore slots.
“This is a moment I’ve been waiting for for a very long time,” said Broadbent during a reveal live stream.
“I’m super happy to announce the start of our Team87 competition.
“If the first year goes well, this is hopefully a multi-year programme, with us bringing in new drivers every year.”
Popular YouTuber-turned-real-world-racing-driver Broadbent is said to be funding the majority of the initiative himself.
To take part, you must be living in the United Kingdom, over the age of 18 and hold a driving licence. Registration is now open.
Team87 Sim to Real competition, key details
Platform – Assetto Corsa, PC
Car – Mazda MX5 Cup car, Japanese Pack DLC
- 18+ Years of Age as of 01/01/2023
- UK Resident due to prize restrictions
- A full UK drivers licence
Team87 Sim to Real 2023 calendar
- Rank Builder – 3rd March – 17-Mar-23 – Brands Hatch Indy
- Round 1 – 22nd March 18:00 UTC – Brands Hatch
- Round 2 –Â 29th March 18:00 UTC – Cadwell Park – MOD
- Round 3 –Â 5th April 18:00 UTC – Silverstone National
- Round 4 –Â 12th April 18:00 UTC – Thruxton – MOD
- Round 5 –Â 19th April 18:00 UTC – Silverstone International
- FINAL –Â 26th April 18:00 UTC – Donington GP – MOD
- On-site assessment – Buckmore Park – Date TBC
Source and images: Jimmy Broadbent and Simracing.gp
