The Showdown marks the first in-person Gran Turismo World Series round for 2023 – although not the first major event to use Gran Turismo 7 this year, following the Olympic Esports Series.
Speaking of which, the current Olympic champion Kylian Drumont will drive for Subaru at the Dutch event alongside two-time Manufacturers champion Takuma Miyazono. Roberto Sternberg replaces Daniel Solis to complete the reining champion team’s line-up.
Lamborghini will make a rare appearance at an in-person World Series event, with Randall Haywood, Yuki Kodaka and Will Murdoch – the latter making his debut at either a Manufacturers or Nations Cup event following sensational outings at last year’s Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup and second at last month’s Olympics.
Other previous champions to look out for include 2022 Nations Cup victor Coque López at Toyota, 2021 Nations Cup and Olympics Esports champion Valerio Gallo at Honda plus 2021 Toyota Gazoo Racing GT Cup and Manufacturers champion Tomoaki Yamanaka driving for AMG.
Angel Inostroza, the Chilean competitor who finished runner-up in last season’s Nations Cup and is also competing in the GT World Challenge Esports America Sprint series is on the entry list for Porsche, but will sadly miss the Showdown due to injuries sustained in a traffic accident. He plans for a World Finals return.
Aside from Inostroza’s replacement, the full line-up is now set for the Amsterdam-based event, with the Nations Cup entry list unveiled earlier this month. The Manufacturers Cup will be run on the 11th August, with the Nations Cup on the 12th. Tickets are available to see the event in person starting from €15.
