W Series, the international single-seater motor racing championship for female drivers only, is pleased to announce the inauguration of an all-new W Series Esports League for female racing drivers only. Partnering with Logitech G (a global leader in PC and console gaming gear), Beyond Entertainment (a community-driven organisation that specialises in hosting high-calibre tournaments) and iRacing (the leading esports simulation platform), the W Series Esports League will commence its sim racing season in the coming weeks in the current absence of on-track motor racing anywhere in the world. A brand-new initiative, the W Series Esports League aims to inaugurate, publicise, promote and empower a shared commitment to raising female sim racing visibility in order to encourage more women and girls everywhere to take up eracing, thereby opening up a new world of equality and diversity in what has previously been seen as a predominantly male-dominated activity

Even though South Africa has now moved into Level 4 lockdown, the picture is unfortunately no clearer as to when our sport will be able to resume. The only good news is that each day that passes means one day closer to going racing, whenever this may eventually be!

In The Netherlands some of the karttracks did open last week. Now also Karting Genk in Belgium will open soon for free practice in karts. “Finally we have been given the green light from the authorities to open again from Friday, May 8, 2020 for free practice (no kart rental) for drivers with their own kart”, said the statement by Karting Genk. “We are all pleased to hear that the lock down can slowly be reduced and that we can all enjoy our favourite sport again. To make sure that we can continue our beloved activity, we all have to be responsible and we will count on your common sense, with the rules in mind. Unfortunately, we have not yet received permission to restart the rental karts and the brasserie. We will communicate this at a later stage.

Many professional racing drivers who are normally racing the Mercedes-AMG GT3 all over the world are currently discovering the world of simulation racing (sim racing). In order to find every tenth of a second at the virtual race tracks, they are investing in training, equipment and set-up. Being the genuine racers that they are, they are also aiming at top results in this new form of competition, and quite successfully so, as Raffaele Marciello proves. In the debut of the SRO E-Sport GT Series at the end of April, the Italian, who debuted in karting in 2005 and raced in various European championships, working his way up from the junior ranks to progress through to the KF2 category by 2010, scored his maiden podium finish as he was classified third with his Mercedes-AMG GT3. In the process, the 2019 Macau champion is using high-tech equipment with top quality competition seat, steering wheel and pedals as well as a gaming PC with three monitors for a perfect view.

In charge of marketing for the family business, Marco Parolin discusses the situation of karting in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.