Once upon a time, watching someone else play a game was just impatiently waiting for your own go. Now it's a hobby in itself thanks to the quality of games, players and internet connection - one which is enjoying a huge boost thanks to current lockdown. Aston Martin is the latest manufacturer to throw its officially branded, factory hat into the ring, announcing its entry into season two of The Race All-Star Series. Played on the rFactor 2 PC game, the first All-Star Series during April attracted so many big names that the organisers, YouTube channel The Race, has now created a Pro Cup for big teams of global motorsport - hence Aston Martin Racing's involvement.
The competition uses the single-seater cars seen here (and rather fetchingly decked out in AMR colours), described in the press bumf as merely "high-powered". Aston will field a three-man team in the five-event competition, and isn't holding back: Nicki Thiim, Jonny Adam and Charlie Eastwood are all racing. While every entrant is eligible for their own drivers' championship points, only Thiim and Eastwood will compete for Teams' Cup success in the first round.
If the modern formula-style cars aren't for you, the Aston team will this weekend be captained by Darren Turner in a separate Legends Trophy with F1-style cars from the 70s. Quite the grid he's on, too: Jenson Button, Juan-Pablo Montoya, Petter Solberg, Daio Franchitti and Emerson Fittipaldi will also be racing.
Plenty to keep you entertained over the weekend, then, though it's not just larking around for Aston; the cup is described as "a great place to nurture and hone racing skills" according to AM Racing President David King. And we all know the first person that has to be beaten is your teammate, in the real world or the virtual one. The second season of the All-Star Series kicks off tomorrow, with the action commencing from 5pm on The Race's YouTube channel. So why not give it a watch? Not like you have anything else to do, after all...
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