This week’s ESL Project CARS Esports action provided a serious challenge for both driver and car. The GT4 class was the weapon of choice one more, but this time at one of the most fearsome circuits in all the world, Mount Panorama, better known as Bathurst.
A tight, narrow course, surrounded by close concrete walls, with blind corners, blind crests, high-speed straights and mind-boggling elevation change. Bathurst’s rollercoaster layout is not for the faint-hearted. Of course, our drivers are the best in the world and we couldn’t wait to see them take on this titanic challenge.
A tight, narrow course, surrounded by close concrete walls, with blind corners, blind crests, high-speed straights and mind-boggling elevation change. Bathurst’s rollercoaster layout is not for the faint-hearted. Of course, our drivers are the best in the world and we couldn’t wait to see them take on this titanic challenge.
The ESL Go4 Cups also require the drivers to use a fixed setup for their cars, making the Bathurst competition even tougher. The circuit usually requires a very unique setup to enable the cars to manage the bumps, speed and elevation change in a comfortable manner. With no setup changes allowed, the drivers had to rely on pure skill to survive the race and keep their cars out of the walls.
This time around ESL conducted its second test of a larger 12-driver format in the PC Cup. Up to now, ESL Project CARS Cups have been organised in a bracket format, with drivers facing off head-to-head before the winner moves on to the next round in the bracket. The larger grid format proposed by ESL sees the drivers compete in 12 player heats with the top 6 finishers in each one moving on to the next round. This will make for more cars on track and reduce the time needed to complete each Cup.
The second test of this new format took on board the player feedback from last week, and therefore ESL is getting closer to introducing the 12 player grids on all platforms. More news to come in the near future.
As always, the drivers were competing for a €150 prize fund - split into three €50 prizes, one for the winner on each platform. At the end of March, the top 8 drivers on each platform will be invited to race in the March Final for an additional prize fund of €450!
As always, the drivers were competing for a €150 prize fund - split into three €50 prizes, one for the winner on each platform. At the end of March, the top 8 drivers on each platform will be invited to race in the March Final for an additional prize fund of €450!
 DriverR1 and ockerocker have clearly established themselves as the drivers to beat in March on PS4. A few months back, they were dominating the ESL pCARS scene, but had dropped back with the rise of the major Esports teams. For ockerocker, who came second this week, joining the VP team has clearly given him a boost in confidence, which has seen him earn regular podiums in the last few rounds. However, DriverR1 won once again on PS4 this week, continuing an amazing run of form without being a member of a team. Nik_Makozi had a great race too, beating the big names to take third. |  Xbox One saw another win for SDL Motorsport’s M power as he makes it two wins in a row in March. TX3 is still hot on SDL’s tail though. This time it was HunteR who followed M power home. Can TX3 finally go one better next week and take a win away from SDL? In third place, it was a first ever podium for the V4TQ team, an emerging force in the pCARS scene, with PrOxY IAs getting a good result for them. |  SDL Motorsport took a strong 1-2 finish on PC last time out, but it didn’t have it all its own way this time. Mangator still pulled off a fantastic victory for SDL, but instead of a 1-2, he was followed home by former SDL teammate khaki, now driving for one of SDL’s biggest rivals, BAM. khaki only had a tough week last time out because of an unfortunate disconnection, so this result proves he can force to be reckoned with. It was great to see TonyR back in action too, taking a terrific podium on his return to the ESL Cups |
The next ESL Project CARS open tournament is the Go4 Cup #26 on Sunday March 27 with a €150 prize fund!
Go4 events consist of 4 or 5 weekly cups and a monthly final each month. The Cup Series is free and open to everyone and has €50 waiting for the best player on each platform. The weekly cups take place every Sunday and start at 19:00 CEST. All players earn ranking points to qualify for the Monthly Final where the winners on each platform will receive a €150 bonus!
Don’t forget, you can now vote for the circuit you want to race at in the next Go4 Cup. Please visit the ESL Project CARS forums to make your choice!
For more information about the ESL Project CARS Go4 Cups and to register to race, please visit the ESL website for the platform you play on.
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
PC
Go4 events consist of 4 or 5 weekly cups and a monthly final each month. The Cup Series is free and open to everyone and has €50 waiting for the best player on each platform. The weekly cups take place every Sunday and start at 19:00 CEST. All players earn ranking points to qualify for the Monthly Final where the winners on each platform will receive a €150 bonus!
Don’t forget, you can now vote for the circuit you want to race at in the next Go4 Cup. Please visit the ESL Project CARS forums to make your choice!
For more information about the ESL Project CARS Go4 Cups and to register to race, please visit the ESL website for the platform you play on.
PlayStation 4
Xbox One
PC
