SRO America Launches ‘GT Rivals’ Esports Invitational

Following a successful SRO E-Sport Charity Challenge to raise funds for the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, SRO America has launched GT Rivals, a weekly esports invitational where real-world racers, sim racers and invited guests go head-to-head in GT World Challenge powered by AWS’ official game, Assetto Corsa Competizione.

Events will include a 120-minute open practice, 20-minute qualifying and a 60-minute sprint race, held every Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.

The races will be streamed on Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook and will feature commentary from SRO America pit lane reporter Ryan Myrehn alongside former TC America champion Tom O’Gorman and SYM TV’s Kyle Heyer.

The series will launch with key esports partners including ASUS Republic of Gamers, ASUS TUF Gaming, Fanatec, Sim Lab, Champion Motorsports, and SYM TV.

Among the real-world GTWC America drivers already confirmed to participate in the races include Kyle Marcelli, Shelby Blackstock, Colin Braun, Ryan Dalziel, Daniel Morad, Guy Cosmo, Patrick Byrne, Andy Soucek, Max Root, James Sofronas, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Gregory Liefooghe and Mark Issa.

They will be joined by Pirelli GT4 America and TC America drivers including Derek DeBoer, James Pesek, Nicolai Elghanayan, Jason Bell, Steven McAleer, Kenton Koch, Toby Grahovic, Steve Streimer and Kevin Anderson.

Inaugural Playstation GT Academy USA winner Bryan Heitkotter, meanwhile, will get back behind the wheel of a virtual GT3 car, in one of the expected sim racers/guest entries.

2020 GT Rivals Esports Invitational Schedule:
April 12 — Laguna Seca
April 19 — Misano
April 26 — Paul Ricard
May 3 — Spa Francorchamps
May 10 — Suzuka
May 17 — Barcelona
May 24 — Mount Panorama
May 31 — Kyalami (Finals Event)*
*Subject to change