E-sport racer heads to Spain

Local racer Adriaan Nel has his sights set on the FIA Motorsport Games in Valencia, Spain.

The games will take place from 23 to 27 October and Nel will participate in the e-sport category.

The Namibia Motorsport Federation (NMSF) has endorsed his participation since Nel is frequently seen either on the go-kart tracks, circuit racing locally and in Angola, or drag racing.

The unknown code of e-sport racing refers to virtual reality racing online. Racers can select any racetrack of their choice across the region. The tracks are a real replica of actual venues, complete with pavilions, advertising boards and safety barriers.

“It is a great sport and it grows exponentially. It started during the Covid times, when we were not allowed to go to racetracks, and so we started to race against each other in the comfort of our homes,” Nel recently told Top Revs.

He has been behind the virtual racing steering wheel for three years now and his passion for the sport is tangible.

He said the NMSF has acknowledged e-sport as a competitive code and also hosted its first ever national e-sport event.

Although Nel was invited to represent Namibia at the FIA Motorsport Games in Valencia, there is still much that needs to be done before he can raise Namibia’s flag in Spain.

This includes raising an estimated N$50 000 to cover the registration and entry fees, as well as pay for food and accommodation.

Luckily, Nel said his airfare is already covered.

He called on stakeholders in the automotive industry to help ensure Namibia is represented at the games.

He said getting to where he is today was not easy and required regular participation, training, dedication and discipline.

In terms of the ‘race car’ he will use to participate, Nel said this all depends on his budget as some systems literally represent a full race simulator which comes complete with everything found in a real race car.

It offers the driver a virtual image of the cars on the same tracks, the effect of speed and the feeling of going into corners, as well as the vibration and resistance experienced on the steering wheel.

And for those who want to follow their idols on the tracks online, they can even enjoy direct commentary from the announcer.

Basically, anyone with a laptop and some basic equipment can get involved.

The virtual racing platform gives any would-be racer the opportunity to get involved at a much lower cost than real racing.

“Going to Valencia to represent Namibia is a big honour, I have worked a long time and very hard to get there.

“Valencia is the prime of the prime.”

To ease the burden of transporting equipment, all racers will be provided with their racing rigs at the venue during the competition.

Those interested in getting involved can contact Nel on his Facebook page.