The countdown to the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games has begun with less than a month to go until entries open for the second edition of the unique multi-discipline competition, hosted by the French city of Marseille this October.
Taking place between 26-30 October 2022, around 80 nations are expected to compete representing the individual FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile) National Sporting Authorities (ASNs) from each country. They will race in a vastly expanded programme of 17 disciplines spanning the motorsport spectrum, staged across the three locations of Circuit Paul Ricard, Veynes and St. Baume.
The FIA Motorsport Games combines sport with culture and education, creating an environment that uplifts the values of respect, unity, and equal opportunities. More than a thousand amateur and professional drivers from ASNs across the globe and all levels of motorsport will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals under the colours of their country’s flag.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, FIA President: “Participation in the FIA Motorsport Games offers myriad benefits for everybody, from grass-roots competitors to elite athletes. This truly international event unites the global FIA community and allows participants to proudly fly their national flag.
“The Games present a platform for developing new disciplines and sporting frameworks. These are key to encouraging local participation, fostering diversity and making the sport more accessible and affordable. For upcoming talents in particular, the Games represent a great opportunity to showcase their skills in front of a receptive audience. This creates new role models who will in turn go on to inspire future generations.”
Hosted by Rome (Italy) and staged at the nearby Vallelunga circuit, the first FIA Motorsport Games in 2019 featured six core disciplines and attracted 49 nations and 192 drivers.
The FIA and SRO Motorsport Group have since built on the success of the inaugural event to vastly expand the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games to feature nearly three times as many disciplines, covering the grassroots to the pinnacles of the sport. The entire spectrum will be represented from Karting Slalom to Rallying, Drifting to Formula 4, Endurance and GT racing.
Those grassroots begin with Karting Slalom, catering for male-female pairings aged 16 and under. Following the success of the category’s debut in Italy, the 2022 event will feature an additional Slalom category for cars. Karting Endurance and Sprint are two more new categories, with the latter featuring both junior and senior classes, all staged at Circuit Paul Ricard.
An enhanced commitment to grassroots motorsport continues through the expanding Cross Car discipline, including separate contests for junior and senior drivers at the Autocross Veynois near Gap.
New for 2022, the Endurance category will now bring a combined 150-minute long-distance contest to the FIA Motorsport Games featuring both LMP3 and GT3 machinery. The Sprint event for Pro racers will also complement the two-driver GT Cup which retains its Pro-Am driver grading ethos, promising fantastic track-side entertainment for fans.
Rallying will also become a major part of the proceedings this year. Staged on the tarmac roads of Sainte-Baume, three separate disciplines will be included on the 2022 programme, with exciting new additions for high-performance Rally2 machinery and two-wheel-drive Rally4 cars. The popular historic scene will be on show too, with Historic Rally joining the bill.
Esports action also returns, giving the opportunity for motorsport gamers aged over 16 years to compete on the global stage without a racing licence.
The Games will continue its future-forward approach and the 2022 edition will be organised as an environmentally responsible event, aspiring to fulfil the highest three-star FIA environmental accreditation standard.
The 2022 FIA Motorsport Games will start with a spectacular Opening Ceremony held near the Vieux-Port, at the Mucem in Marseille on Wednesday, 26 October, when each ASN and its team of drivers will embrace the opportunity to parade under the colours of their country’s flag.
Registration for competing nations will be open from 15 June to 25 September 2022, via the dedicated FIA registration platform. Competitors wishing to represent their county are also encouraged to contact their respective National Sporting Authorities.