Motorsport UK launches real-world Cross Car opportunity

The UK’s governing body of four-wheel motorsport has launched an exciting opportunity for budding off-road racers to drive a real-world Cross Car.

The 2026 Motorsport UK Cross Car Esports Cup offers iRacers a chance to get behind the wheel of an FIA Cross Car in a test session and one race of the Cross Car Championship, which runs from March until November this year. 

Using iRacing’s FIA Cross Car, players must qualify for the sim racing series via a Time Attack competition held between 30th January and 2nd February, with the top 27 fastest drivers invited to enter.

Initial entry is free, but those who wish to participate in the championship must be full Motorsport 

UK Esports members (£27.99 for a 12-month membership), with each virtual round running to a rallycross-style heats and finals system.

Cross Cars

FIA Cross Cars are entry-level off-roaders, featuring a single seat and were built with FIA approval to boost entry-level motorsport participation. The car, which is free to use by all iRacing members, has a rear-engined, rear-wheel-drive drivetrain, providing plenty of thrills for minimal budget.

Motorsport UK’s Cross Car Championship appears on the bill of both the British Rallycross Championship and BTRDA Clubmans Rallycross Championship in 2026, featuring a total of 13 rounds at tracks like Knockhill, Lydden Hill and Mondello Park.

This unique real-world motorsport opportunity is open only to UK Passport holders over the age of 16, with Motorsport UK funding the prospective driver’s race licence, entry fees, club membership, insurance and safety gear. 

Waltham Services will be on hand to provide tyres, while LifeLiveUK, a UK importer of Cross Cars, will run the car for the lucky winner during the test session and race.

Check out everything you need to know about the 2026 Motorsport UK Cross Car Esports Cup below.

2026 Motorsport UK Cross Car Esports Cup pre-qualifying key information

• Dates – 9am GMT 30th January – 9am GMT 2nd February 2026
• Hosted at the top of the ‘Time Attack’ section of iRacing
• Car – FIA Cross Car
• Track – TBC
• Fixed car setup
• UK passport holders only
• No Motorsport UK Esports membership or entry fee required to enter pre-qualification
• Top 27 drivers, with the fastest times at the end of the Time Attack will be invited to enter the main championship

2026 Motorsport UK Cross Car Esports Cup eligibility

• Drivers must be 16 years old or over
• All drivers must hold a valid and current UK passport
• Drivers must not have ever competed in a real-world Cross Car, Rallycross or Auto Cross event
• By entering you are agreeing to the Terms & Conditions that can be found below.

Main championship

• The 2026 Motorsport UK Cross Car Esports Cup is the first Motorsport UK Esports championship to offer the prize of driving a real-world race car.
• The details are as follows:
• All 27 qualifying drivers will be contacted via the iRacing forum, vetted and approved to enter the Championship
• Each race is broadcast live by RaceSpot TV
• 30-minute open practice
• x3 8-lap Heats of 9 drivers – top 4 from each heat goes through to the Final
• The non-qualifying drivers go through to the 10-lap Last Chance Qualifier
• The top 3 from the LCQ progress to the final
• The Main Final 15-lap final of 15 drivers
• Organised through private Discord server – where all details will be shared
• All drivers under 18 will require full parental consent 
• Full vetting and approval process in place for all qualifying drivers
• All drivers are required to have a paid Motorsport UK Esports Membership (£27.99)

2026 Motorsport UK Cross Car Esports Cup calendar

• Round 1 11th February Brands Hatch
• Round 2 18th February Winton
• Round 3 25th February Barcelona
• Round 4 4th March Hell
• Round 5 18th March Daytona
• Round 6 25th March Knockhill