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Honda gives local drivers chance to race on world-class circuits from home
One of racing's big names, Honda, through its automotive firm Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) has opened registration for the Honda Racing Simulator Championship (HRSC), which will take place from July 4 to Aug. 29. Qualifiers will be held from June 15 to Aug. 4. As many as 60 drivers with the highest points from the qualifiers will then be categorized into two classes, professionals and amateurs. These selected racers are going to race in the official event.
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A screenshot of a press conference on the Honda Racing Simulator Championship, hosted virtually on Thursday by Honda Prospect Motor. The press conference featured the automotive assembling company’s sales and marketing director Yusak Billy (top right) and communication strategy manager Adhi Parama Sugarda (bottom right), with public relations officer Nikitamara as the moderator. (The Jakarta Post/Courtesy of PT. Honda Prospect Motor)
T
he fact that the world of sport is now beginning to restart after a three-month hiatus does not mean it leaves the virtual stage empty. While waiting for Formula One to fix its protocols for the upcoming Austrian reopening on July 3, for example, e-sports have offered alternative yet world-class experiences for racing aficionados.
One of racing's big names, Honda, through its automotive firm Honda Prospect Motor (HPM) has opened registration for the Honda Racing Simulator Championship (HRSC), which will take place from July 4 to Aug. 29. Qualifiers will be held from June 15 to Aug. 4. As many as 60 drivers with the highest points from the qualifiers then will be categorized into two classes, professionals and amateurs. These selected racers are going to race in the official event.
The driver with the highest score in the professional category will be awarded Rp 30 million, the second best gets Rp 20 million and the third-placed driver will be awarded with Rp 10 million. As for the best amateur driver, he or she will be awarded with Rp 5 million in cash, the second best will bring home Rp 4.5 million and the third driver will get Rp 3 million.
HPM’s business innovation and marketing and sales director Yusak Billy said the simulator championship was a medium for beginners in racing competition to hone their skills and gain new experiences in participating in a world-class racing event.
Communication strategy manager Adhi Parama Suganda said the online racing competition was part of Honda’s commitment to maintaining its consistency in campaigning for local racing competitions.
“We want to spread the excitement of racing competition to a bigger audience through the event, he said in Thursday’s presser.
“This virtual racing competition will give [the participants] a taste of competing on world class racing circuits from their own home,” he added.
To be able to participate in this tournament, one needs to have the racing simulator, which is on the market for around Rp 4.5 million and the racing simulation platform rfactor 2, which can be purchased for around Rp 150,000. All participants will be competing in a Honda Civic Type R sport version on six selected world-class circuits, with the Suzuka circuit in Japan, Sepang International in Malaysia and Silverstone in England among other circuits.
Riyan Adisaputra, one of the race participants, acknowledged that he had to go all out when competing in the qualifying rounds as it required a high standard of racing skills. He recognized Suzuka as the hardest circuit to deal with as it offered endless surprises at every turn.
“I am targeting the professional category in this event and intend to go all out in doing it,” Riyan, an IT manager, told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
However, when asked whether the cash prize was his main reason for participating in this event, Riyan shrugged and said that for an adrenaline addict like him, the opportunity to experience the feeling and tension of world-class racing was way more important.
‘In fact, I would race in an actual racing car if I were given the opportunity,” Riyan, who also sees this as a way to let off some steam during the lockdown, said.
