Keith Dempsey and VRA to Represent Ireland at FIA Motorsport Games Digital Cup

For Immediate Release

1st November 2019 - Vallelunga Circuit Rome Italy: Ireland's Keith Dempsey is set to take part in the Digital Cup this weekend which is one of the six disciplines featured at the FIA Motorsport Game. The inclusion of digital motorsport on the bill of this multidisciplinary event means that virtual racers for the first time will compete on equal terms to real-life racing drivers, all fighting for medals contributing to an overall medal table. 

This ground-breaking event has met with significant interest the world over, with 46 different countries from three different continents confirming their participation. The 30 Digital Cup entries is comprised of some of the biggest names in world of Digital Motorsport and racing simulation, including several competitors from FIA-certified Gran Turismo Championships, the first ever digital motorsport tournament sanctioned by the FIA. 

The Digital Cup will be held at the Vallelunga Circuit’s conference centre and will have 12 Sim racing rigs hosted on a large stage. The top 3 drivers from each Semi finals and a single repechage will advance to the Grand Final. The competition will be held under the supervision of a real-life FIA Race Director and Stewards. The Digital Cup will conclude on Saturday evening. 

Following last spectacular opening ceremony in Rome, Dempsey was 5th fastest in his free practice session and will be in Group Y for the Semifinals on Saturday 2nd, where he plans to make the grand final race. Dempsey will draw on both his real-life racing and Sim Racing experience, having raced in Formula Ford and Formula Renault in the early 2000s. He has also been involved in sim racing since the days of Grand Prix 2, playing single-player mode on a keyboard and with his recent success, is probably Ireland’s premier Sim racer. Keith will represent the Mondello Park based Virtual Race Academy. [www.VRA.ie] 

The inaugural FIA Motorsport Games will be broadcast live to a global audience following the announcement of an extensive set of television deals for the 1-3 November event. Sporting Regulations are available at fia.com.