The 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual

15 May 2020

While virtual racing is not our thing, it is worth highlighting that on the weekend of 13/14 June, there will be a virtual Le Mans 24 Hours race, lasting the full 24 hours.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual, organised by the ACO, FIA WEC and Motorsport Games, will open a new era in sim racing. For the first time, teams made up of a combination of professional racing drivers and esports champions will challenge each other in the most extreme test seen in the virtual world and it will be broadcast live on TV across the globe.

The principle is simple:

Team composition: Teams will be composed of 4 drivers: each line up must consist of at least two professional drivers and a maximum of 2 sim racers
The gaming platform to be used is rFactor 2
The grid will consist of a maximum of 50 cars
The cars to be used: LMP2 and GTE. The teams involved are free to create their own car livery.
Racing conditions: variable weather conditions; dynamic day and night racing; damaged cars can be repaired in the pits; teams will work to create their own set ups to optimise performance. Refuelling and tyre changes are essential criteria. Strategy will be at the heart of the race. A Race Director will ensure sporting behaviour throughout the event.
Driver changes are compulsory. The minimum driving time over the entire event is 4 hours for each driver. The maximum driving time over the entire race is 7 hours for each driver.
The graphics, production and imagery will be very high quality. Race commentators and pit reporters will be live from a TV studio in Paris and VIP guests will visit them during the race. This unique race, which will bring together the best drivers in the world and sim racing’s elite gamers will be broadcast widely on multiple audio-visual platforms around the world.

The start of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual will be given on 13^th June at 3 pm (French time).

In the coming weeks the entry list will be revealed, as well as numerous other exciting elements which will bring this extraordinary virtual event to life.

“This first edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual opens a new chapter for our discipline,” explained Pierre Fillon, president of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. “Current circumstances meant that the 88th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place on 19/20th September 2020. However, on 13/14th June, the initial date of our event, there will be a unique event augmenting endurance racing and its values: the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual, with professional drivers and specialists esports gamers racing together. For us, the organisers, for our competitors, our partner and our fans, we are now impatiently waiting for the start of this unique race on 13th June at 3:00 pm.”

“Since the Le Mans Esports Series was launched two years ago, it’s been very satisfying to see it double in size and visibility year on year,” said Gérard Neveu, CEO FIA WEC. “That highlighted to us the huge appetite among the esports community for endurance racing and access to the jewel in the crown of the discipline, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual event is unique in very many ways, not least that it is not part of LMES, but a stand-alone event. As in real life, it will bring together the crème de la crème of automotive manufacturers, racing teams and drivers plus the world’s best sim racers competing alongside these global names. Truly something for everyone!”