Codemasters and Motorsport Games have announced that the second season of the popular DiRT Rally 2.0 World Series will begin on Tuesday 25th August with the first qualification rounds going live in-game. The season will culminate in a live showpiece final at the Autosport International Show at the Birmingham NEC on 16th January 2021 where 12 drivers will race for a share of $20,000 prize pool – double the amount from the first season. It has also been announced that the winner of the rallycross championship will earn a test drive in the QEV electric rallycross car that will power the new FIA eRX2 Championship.
The DiRT Rally 2.0 World Series follows the success of the first season alongside the incredibly entertaining World RX Esports Series which attracted over 1.24 million live views. Once again, the World Series will have separate championships for rally and rallycross, each with its own $10,000 prize pool.
All players who take part in any of the qualifiers will receive the Ford Fiesta R5 MKII as a free DiRT Rally 2.0 in-game vehicle. Designed as a replacement for its hugely successful predecessor, the Ford Fiesta R5 MKII, is built by M-sport and uses the latest ST-Line body shell. The car also features a new engine and chassis, alongside a notably aggressive anti-lag system. The Fiesta R5 MKII will become available to all qualifying participants at the beginning of October.
Ross Gowing, Game Director of DiRT Rally 2.0 at Codemasters said:
“The DiRT Rally 2.0 World Series surpassed our expectations. We knew there was an appetite, but we didn’t expect the vast level of participation and engagement. Now we get to do it all over again with a bigger event and even more prize money. We are also delighted to reward players with the in-game Ford Fiesta R5 and hope this is an added incentive for players of all levels to get involved.”
Ben Rossiter-Turner, Head of Esports Motorsport Games commented:
“We are delighted to extend our relationship with Codemasters to deliver the second season of the DiRT Rally 2.0 World Series. The response from the drivers, viewers and community to the first season and the World RX Esports Series has been overwhelmingly positive and we look forward to delivering an even bigger and better experience this time around, all finishing with a special showcase at Autosport International. We have very exciting plans.”
Pere Gonzalez, Project Manager for the new FIA eRX2 Championship, said:
“We are very excited to be partnering with Codemasters and Motorsport Games for the forthcoming DiRT Rally 2.0 World Series. The interest in esports has exploded in recent months, in particular amongst younger participants and fans, and we see a lot of synergies between this demographic and the new FIA eRX2 Championship, which is right at the forefront of rallycross’ electrification. We have witnessed in other disciplines how gamers have the potential and ability to transition into real-life racers, and we look forward to following the competition’s second season as it unfolds and to helping the eventual winner to put their skills to the test in real life.”
The DiRT Rally World Series has been divided into three qualifying stages, each consisting of three events. The fastest time on each event from each platform will earn a place in the Qualifying Final. In rally these winners will be joined the three fastest runners up, based cumulative times and in rallycross, it will be the two fastest cumulative runners up. The top two in each Qualifying Final will earn a place in the Semi Final before the live Final at Autosport International in January 2021.
Here is a schedule of the events and races:
Rally:
Round 1 – New Zealand
25 Aug Elsthorpe Sprint Forward R2
01 Sep Waimarama Sprint Forward Group A
08 Sep Ocean Beach Sprint Forward H2 RWD
26 Sep Qualifying Final 1 (Live Streamed)
Round 2 – Spain
29 Sep Centenera R5
06 Oct Ascenso por valle el Gualet Rally GT
13 Oct Viñedos Dardenyà H2 FWD
31 Oct Qualifying Final 2 (Live Streamed)
Round 3 – Australia
03 Nov Noorinbee Ridge Descent H1 FWD
10 Nov Taylor Farm Sprint R5
17 Nov Yambulla Mountain Ascent H3 RWD
05 Dec Qualifying Final 3 (Live Streamed)
19 Dec Semi Final (Live Streamed)
16-17 Jan Final (Live at Autosport International)
Rallycross:
Round 1
25 Aug Holjes RX Supercars
01 Sep Hell RX2
08 Sep Lohéac Super 1600
26 Sep Qualifying Final 1 (Live Streamed)
Round 2
29 Sep Barcelona RX2
06 Oct Montalegre RX Supercars
13 Oct Hell Super 1600
31 Oct Qualifying Final 2 (Live Streamed)
Round 3
03 Nov Lohéac RX Supercars
10 Nov Holjes RX2
17 Nov Barcelona Super 1600
05 Dec Qualifying Final 3 (Live Streamed)
19 Dec Semi Final (Live Streamed)
16-17 Jan Final (Live at Autosport International)
You will be able to follow the progress of the DiRT Rally 2.0 World Series on the @DiRTGame social media channels and on motorsport.tv.
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