- National pride at stake in newly-launched global motorsport contest
- Competing disciplines include GTs, touring cars, single-seaters and simulation
- SRO Motorsports Group to act as promoter and organiser for the maiden running of the FIA Motorsport Games in Rome (1-3 Nov) as part of a multi-year agreement
The event fills a gap that has long existed in global motorsport by emphasising national pride over individual glory. It is a development of last year's successful FIA GT Nations Cup, where 18 teams from across the globe raced in their home countries' colours at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Preceded by a spectacular opening ceremony in the Italian capital on 31 October, the 1-3 November event will see drivers from a variety of disciplines compete in the inaugural ‘Race of Nations’. Drawing upon its considerbale experience and expertise, SRO Motorsports Group will act as promoter and organiser for the maiden running of the FIA Motorsport Games as part of a multi-year agreement.
The 2019 edition will feature six exciting disciplines: GT, Touring Car, Formula 4, Drifting, Karting Slalom and Digital Motorsport. What's more, future Games will see new categories added to further expand the event's global reach.
Competitors from around the world will race for a spot on the podium, with Gold, Silver and Bronze medals awarded to the top-three finishers. From these results, an overall medal table will decide which National Sporting Authority (ASN) is awarded the very first FIA Motorsport Games trophy during the event’s closing ceremony.
Encouraged by the success of the FIA GT Nations Cup concept, SRO will once again work in partnership with the FIA, world motorsport's governing body, as it expands the programme to encompass a variety of disciplines. The event will become an annual date on the international motorsport calendar, with a different city hosting the opening and closing ceremonies each year
Registration is set to open on 1 July 2019, while a newly-launched website, www.fiamotorsportgames.com, will provide in-depth information and chart the preparations for the 2019 FIA Motorsport Games.
In announcing the creation of the FIA Motorsport Games, FIA President Jean Todt said: “I am pleased to launch the FIA Motorsport Games, which will combine a variety of disciplines and all the elements of a major sporting occasion in one event. It is something new for not only motor sport followers and future generations of competitors, but also those with a general appreciation of international sport. It is another opportunity for ASNs and ACNs to engage with new audiences and harness the patriotism within their respective nations. The support of the host club, the Automobile Club d’Italia, is much appreciated, and I look forward to attending the first edition in Rome.”
Stephane Ratel, SRO Motorsports Group Founder & CEO: "It is with great pride that we announce the launch of the FIA Motorsport Games. I have long believed that this concept holds tremendous potential for our sport, as we saw last year with the FIA GT Nations Cup. Following the success of that event, it is very exciting to once again work with the FIA as we expand the concept to a variety of disciplines as part of a multi-year agreement. What's more, I am thrilled that we will be able to launch in a city as magnificent and globally admired as Rome. We are at the start of something very significant and I know that we will work tirelessly alongside the FIA to deliver the standard of event that the FIA Motorsport Games deserves."
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