New Format Unveiled for Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup Qualifying Series
October 3rd, 2020 by Kevin Bobbitt
TAG Heuer, Vodafone to return as sponsors; $200K prize pool confirmed
Porsche and iRacing officials have announced a new format and start date for the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup qualifying series, which will provide 20 drivers with the opportunity to join the 2021 Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup grid. Beginning in late October, the top drivers in the Porsche iRacing Cup Series will do battle in five Super Sessions, similar to the current Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge format, to qualify for a promotion to iRacing’s premier road racing World Championship. In addition, TAG Heuer and Vodafone will return as sponsors of the series, while the $200,000 prize pool, established in advance of the 2020 season, is also due to return.
“When it comes to suspense, the current season of the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup is hard to beat: We’ve witnessed many action-packed races, and the title fight will only be decided at the last event. The high level of driving skill and the huge popularity among fans have clearly exceeded our expectations. But we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. So, we’re shifting up a gear to propel this fantastic sport forward,” explains Marco Ujhasi, Manager Esports Porsche Motorsport. “For 2021, we’ve collaborated with our partners to develop the calendar and the sporting format and we’re looking forward to some great sim racing. My special thanks go to title sponsor TAG Heuer and Vodafone for their strong backing.”
“The new Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup qualifying system will establish which drivers are truly best suited to join the series next year,” said iRacing executive producer Steve Myers. “The Super Session race format gives our top road racers a chance to shine, but only those who can come through in the clutch on the biggest stage will have the opportunity to advance to the World Championship level. We’re excited to see how the new format works out as we look forward to an exciting 2021 season!”
The Porsche iRacing Cup Series features the same Porsche 911 GT3 Cup car used in the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup, and runs races every odd two hours at :45 past the hour starting at 01:45 GMT. The top 30 point-scorers in each race week will be invited to each week’s Super Session, which runs on Saturdays at 14:45 GMT. Each race will utilize post-race stewarding and the existing Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup main event point system. The top 20 point-scorers across those five Super Sessions will join the top 20 drivers in the 2020 Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup standings to complete the 2021 series driver roster.
The Super Session schedule is as follows:
- October 24: Okayama International Circuit (19 laps)
- October 31: Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (17 laps)
- November 7: Sebring International Raceway (12 laps)
- November 14: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (10 laps)
- November 21: Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace (17 laps)
The upcoming Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup season will feature its usual 10-round schedule, and will begin in January. More information on the 2021 series, including the full championship calendar, will be released in the coming weeks. In the meantime, the 2020 season will conclude on October 10 with a visit to the legendary Monza circuit. The race will air live at 14:00 GMT (10AM ET) on the iRacing Facebook, Twitch, and YouTube channels.