New Zealand fans' chance to score Eseries wildcard

The Auckland Supercars Eseries Wildcard Tournament is offering one New Zealand fan the opportunity to go door-to-door with Supercars' best in the Cash Converters Supercars Eseries. 

The winning driver will compete as a wildcard for Team Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland in the final round of the All Stars Supercars Eseries on September 29.

Auckland Unlimited has partnered with LetsPlay.Live to host the tournament, with the qualifying round now open for entries via iRacing.

Round 6 is scheduled for Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee, a popular NASCAR circuit revered for its drama, excitement, and thrilling finishes.

To win, fans must log into iRacing and set their fastest lap within the dedicated Auckland Supercars Eseries Wildcard Tournament time attack session between September 7-12.

The top 10 entries will progress to the live final on September 23, with the winner competing in the All Stars finale on Wednesday September 29.

Once selected, the winner will run a virtual Team Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland-branded Holden Commodore in Round 6 of the Eseries and will have the opportunity to race against Repco Supercars Championship and Dunlop Super2 Series drivers.

Richard Clarke, Auckland Unlimited Head of Major and Business Events, says it’s exciting to have a team in the Eseries and create opportunities for local gamers.

"It is fantastic to work alongside Supercars and LPL to back Esports, particularly during this time, and to create a platform for talented drivers to put their best foot forward for the chance to compete alongside the pros in the final," Clarke said. 

"Last year, video game development in Aotearoa brought in nearly $325 million in revenue and employed more than 700 people, with 40 per cent of gaming companies Auckland-based.

"With the exponential growth globally of esports, there are clearly huge opportunities for the local industry and e-gamers, and in line with this we are actively exploring esports events as future additions to Auckland’s Major Events schedule."

Team Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland's All Star racer Richie Stanaway currently leads the Eseries, winning his second race in a row at Pocono on Wednesday.  

Auckland has a rich pedigree in motorsport, having been home to some of the best racing talent to come out of New Zealand, including six-time Indy Car Champion Scott Dixon, current Formula 2 star Liam Lawson and current Kiwi Supercar main game drivers Fabian Coulthard, Andre Heimgarnter and Shane van Gisbergen.

LetsPlay.Live’s Managing Director, Duane Mutu, is pleased to see support for Trans-Tasman motor-sim racing.

"Supercars are an iconic Australasian brand and one of the first traditional sports in the region to fully embrace esports," Mutu explains.

"It’s our pleasure to be partnering with Auckland Unlimited to showcase Kiwi talent, and it's fantastic to see the demand for esports content strengthen in the era of COVID-19."

The Auckland Supercars Eseries Wildcard Tournament is open to New Zealand residents only.

The competition runs from September 7-12, with the top 10 to progress to the live final on September 23.

The Auckland Supercars Eseries Wildcard final will be broadcast from 8pm NZT on Thursday 23 September at twitch.tv/letsplay.live, Auckland Unlimited’s Facebook page and Supercars digital channels.

To enter, fans must head to the official page at supercars.com/auckland-supercars-eseries-wildcard-tournament and complete the required entry form. 

They must then head to iRacing and either register or login and join the Auckland Supercars Eseries Wildcard Time Attack session and complete a valid lap around the Phillip Island circuit using either a Ford Mustang Supercar or Holden Commodore ZB Supercar.

For more information on the tournament, broadcast and qualifiers, head to supercars.com/proeseries/auckland-supercars-eseries-wildcard-tournament/

Auckland Unlimited is Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s economic and cultural agency committed to making the region a desirable place to live, work, visit, invest and do business.

Round 3 of the Cash Converters Supercars Eseries will begin at 7pm AEST (9pm NZST) on Wednesday September 8.

The Eseries will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 506, Kayo, 7Plus, as well as streamed on Supercars’ Twitch, Facebook and YouTube channels.