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Several high-profile motorsport drivers, including a British Rally Championship frontrunner, are set to compete in a virtual racing event this weekend.
The Esports Jersey Rally, which starts on Friday, is a virtual alternative to the Roberts Garages Jersey Rally, which was cancelled earlier this year.
Pictured: FIA European Rally Champion, Chris Ingham, is one of the drivers getting online for the event.
Amongst those who have expressed interest in participating include FIA European Rally Champion Chris Ingram, and rally star Osian Pryce. Additionally, British Rally Championship front-runner James Williams, and his top international co-driver Dai Roberts, will be splitting up for the day and going head-to-head for top prize.
On the Esports side of the road, Motorsport UK British Esports Champion Alan Scott will also be firing up his virtual racing wheels to put the drivers to the test.
Pictured: The virtual rally follows the cancellation of the Roberts Garages Jersey Rally due to coronavirus.
Looking to more local lanes, island rally rising star Ed Fossey will be swapping engines from car to games console, and Jersey Motorcycle and Light Car Club President, Oliver Holmes, has also signalled his intent to get involved.
The rally will cover 12 stages equating to 52 virtual miles, using a German course on Codemasters DiRT Rally 2.0, which is playable on PC, PlayStation and XBOX. Over 150 drivers expressed interest within the first 12 hours of the event launch, and the event’s Facebook group now boasts 283 members.
As well as the four classes up for grabs, there will be a special Metro 6R4 class in memory of life-long Jersey Rally Fan Mark Lowe, who passed away earlier this year with coronavirus.
Pictured: Co-drivers James Williams and Dai Roberts will be going head-to-head in the rally.
The rally is open to anyone, with the rally's Facebook group giving sign-up details.
The man steering the event, organiser Ben Buesnel, said: “Like everyone associated with the Jersey Rally, there was a weekend filled void in our motorsport lives, so I wanted to create some buzz and bring people together to mark the event. I just couldn’t let it pass by. The reaction and interest has been superb and there have been some great names expressing interest.
“We will have local Jersey drivers competing against British Rally Championship regulars, Esports Champions and rally fans from around Europe all remotely taking part. It’s going to be quite interesting watching the times come in over the weekend and it’s going to be quite a spectacle and a first for Jersey motorsport!”
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