Frijns "It brings the fans closer to the drivers"

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Frijns "It brings the fans closer to the drivers"

Andretti star looking forward to the challenge of the Vegas eRace

frijns-it-brings-the-fans-closer-to-the-drivers

The FIA Formula E Championship is always looking at ways of getting the fans closer to the action, whether that’s through Virtual Reality, the amazing eVillage podium ceremony or by allowing them to take on their heroes head-to-head in a simulator race.

The eRace takes place in the eVillage at every race, giving the fastest of the fans in attendance the amazing opportunity to race nine Formula E stars. But early next year, on January 7 at CES in Las Vegas, the series is taking this to the next level.

The Vegas eRace features the richest prize pot in eRacing history - $1million – and all 20 Formula E drivers will take part, alongside 10 fans from around the world.

It’s a unique opportunity, and Andretti racer Robin Frijns – winner of the most recent eRace at the HKT Hong Kong ePrix – thinks it’s a fantastic development.

It’s quite for the fans, especially to bring them so close to the drivers,” he says. “It’s the first time ever a big series like Formula E has done something like this to drive against them in a big race like the Vegas eRace in January. I don’t really know what to expect, maybe the sim drivers or the fans are really good, maybe not, we don’t know. If all you do is race on simulators at home, then maybe they are pretty good!”

To be part of the 10, fans and sim racers need to enter the Race to Vegas, which is being organised by Cloud Sport. Using rFactor2, this sim racing series will find the 10 best virtual racers and pit them against the finest electric city street drivers in the world.

“I reckon they are really serious,” says Frijns. “We really have to focus and try to do our best to beat them. I haven’t taken part in a real sim race yet, some drivers do, I know, and they can’t win. I don’t see it as we are going to have fun and we are going to be quickest, not at all. I think it is going to be a serious thing that you are going to have to prepare yourself for, and hopefully we can get a good result.”

The Vegas eRace will take place on a specially-built street track that takes in the famous Strip. It will not be released ahead of the event on January 7, so just like in Formula E, the drivers will have to learn the track in free practice…

“I don’t have rFactor2 at home, I didn’t even practice before Hong Kong,” admits Frijns. “For sure, I will take it serious for the Las Vegas eRace, I will prepare myself like I do at every other race. I’ll do my best and hopefully we can get a good result.”

Sign up for the Road to Vegas Challenge, organised by Cloud Sport here: https://bit.ly/VegaseRace