Jordan will host the first-ever Toyota Gazoo Racing MENA Digital Cup including two emirati racers among 22 other keen competitors, On Saturday, September 11th, 2021. The mega sporting event is organised with the support of Toyota Motor Corporation – represented by Toyota Gazoo Racing – as Title Sponsor, Bank al Etihad as Gold Sponsor, Umniah as Silver Sponsor, Desert Fox Racing, Fanatec, and Jordan Digital Sports Federation, as well as Jordan Motorsport as organisers, all under the official sponsorship of the Jordan Digital Sports Federation (FIA).
22 racers will compete for 11 countries: Lebanon, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Cyprus, Tunisia, Mauritania, Oman, and Jordan, with two racers representing the UAE, Sultan Khalifa and Salem Al Mesmari. A total of two more female candidates will compete in the cup.
Thanks to a partnership with one of the most advanced online driving simulator games – Gran Turismo Sport – and the newest hardware and software innovations relevant to racing rigs and racing simulators, the championship will imitate the real racing environment with remarkable realism. A greeting ceremony will be conducted at the Royal Automobile Museum in Amman on the day before the event, in the presence of significant influencers and motorsport lovers, during which exhibition races will be staged.
Toyota Gazoo Racing MENA Digital Cup Project Lead, Nadim Haddad, stated, “With around 330 million video racers in the MENA region alone, taking motorsports into the digital realm with an official event like this will enable a wider segment of youth to experience the thrilling and competitive world of racing. Given its accessibility, safety and affordability compared with real-life racing, digital motorsports has been rapidly growing, bringing together drivers from all over the world. We are excited to have Toyota Motor Corporation – represented by Toyota Gazoo Racing – support such an outstanding event that presents youth throughout the region with a prime platform to showcase their talents in digital motorsports and compete within the global arena. That being said, we eagerly look forward to further competitions in the upcoming years.”
In turn, Jordan Motorsport CEO, Zaid Balqez, expressed his excitement at the Kingdom’s hosting of the first digital motorsports championship in the region, “This one-of-a-kind event is a true chance for young individuals to explore and grow their talents before making serious investments in motorsports, especially as accessibility becomes more difficult and more expensive. Moreover, the championship is an excellent opportunity for advancing motorsports in the Kingdom, while exporting exceptional Arab talents within this field to the world.”
