McLaren Shadow opens to mobile gaming entrants on Real Racing 3
Mobile gamers entering the McLaren Shadow Project initiative can qualify for the semi-final stage of the new Esports competition from Thursday
In partnership with EA's Real Racing 3, there will be three time trial events with one winner from each advancing to the next stage of the MSP.
The three successful drivers will join gamers who qualified for the semi-finals on a range of more traditional Esports platforms such as Forza Motorsport 7, iRacing and rFactor.
"McLaren Shadow Project is the most diverse and dynamic racing Esports competition on the planet," McLaren director of Esports Ben Payne said.
"We are looking for talented racers from all countries and backgrounds, across all major platforms, and we are delighted to have partnered with Real Racing 3 on mobile.
"For McLaren fans, this is also a fantastic opportunity to virtually test drive the new McLaren 600LT before it hits the road, as it is available to play in the game.
"The inclusion of the award-winning Real Racing 3 is crucial, with more than 400 million downloads.
"Last year's [World's Fastest Gamer] finalist Henrik Drue, a surgeon from Denmark, reached the finals having qualified on a mobile racing game.
"He went on to out-perform most of the other finalists in the rigorous cognitive tests set by the McLaren team and more than held his own on the track."
Gamers entering the MSP must be aged 18 or over to qualify.
The first time trial event ends on August 31, with the second beginning two weeks later on September 15 and the third starting on October 13.
The semi-final staged is scheduled for December 1, with the finals taking place a month later.
Xiang Gao became the first qualifier for the semi-finals after triumphing at an event in China.
The MSP is McLaren's successor to its World's Fastest Gamer competition and will conclude with one gamer winning a place on the team's Esports squad alongside established sim racers such as Bono Huis.
A second season of WFG is planned, but would be organised independently from McLaren.
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