Following a successful debut in 2023, Honda Racing is introducing its Gran Turismo 7 esports event returns this yr — and opens the live finals for players world wide.
Honda Racing eMS 2024 is a continuation of the 2023 event, which attracted around 200,000 players who tested their skills in one in every of two time-based races divided into age categories. GT7While the time trial itself was open to players world wide, the live final — held on December 10 — was limited to players residing in Japan.
The format is comparable for 2024, with a month-long hotlap event again, open to players from world wide, with two different events open to different age groups. Both groups – 18+ and 17 and under – will likely be driving the legendary Honda RA272, replacing the Honda Civic Type R used last yr.
No tracks have been announced yet, with the 2023 event set to deal with the Civic’s lap records on the Nurburgring and Suzuka. While the chosen header image for the event seems to suggest one in every of the tracks, we’ll should wait and see.
Two timed races will happen from Friday 2nd August to Sunday 1st September, and all players collaborating will receive a Honda Civic (FL5) Type R with a special Super Taikyu Series 2024 livery and an avatar to be used in GT7, commemorating Honda’s sixtieth anniversary in Formula 1.
After the time trial, the highest ten riders in each of the 2 categories will likely be invited to the live final on December 1 in Japan. While the U17 category is once more restricted to residents of Japan, five of the ten spots within the 18+ category are open worldwide – with the remaining five going to the highest 4 Japanese riders and the 2023 champion. You won’t be too surprised to learn that’s Igor Fraga!
The live finale will once more happen on the Honda Welcome Plaza Aoyama in Tokyo, Japan, and will likely be co-hosted by recent Honda Racing eMS ambassador and Japanese VTuber (virtual YouTuber) Inugami Korone, as Honda looks to expand the appeal of virtual motorsport to a wider audience.
