Leon Sealy, the SOP Esports Racing driver, will be heading to Marseille, France, for the 2022 edition of the FIA Motorsport Games, which makes a welcome return after being absent for two years due to that pesky virus called Covid-19. The Barbados Motoring Federation (BMF) confirmed last week that Leon Sealy will be representing his home nation of Barbados in the Esports discipline which makes up just 1 of the 17 disciplines this year, in what is being dubbed the Olympics of motorsport.
This second edition of the FIA Motorsport Games to be held in France in October will have up to 80 National Sporting Authorities of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile and Barbados were keen on sending one of their own to compete in Esports after making it part of their 2022 agenda.
Chairman of Caribbean Sim Motorsport (CSM) Robert Simmons said: “CSM, being the newest member of the BMF, created an ambitious agenda for 2022 and beyond which was focused on enhancing the Esports discipline in Barbados and further to enhancing the country’s presence on a world stage. Our attendance at the FIA Motorsport Games certainly achieves this goal and we wish Leon the best of luck in representing our Country and our Club.”
The FIA Motorsport games will be using the Assetto Corsa Competizione simulation at this year’s event on a special version of the Circuit Paul Ricard. Getting there was no easy feat. Initially, the FIA held three separate qualifying weeks. Each week any driver wishing to try and set a hot lap had to use the Porsche 991 GT3R on the Circuit Paul Ricard in France. Leon set his qualification time during week 2 of this phase and topped the timing sheets for Barbados. Topping the times for these did not guarantee you a slot at the event however, it was only to highlight yourself to your own countries governing bodies for motorsport.
Thankfully, Barbados was paying attention and Leon was picked up. But Barbados also held their own qualification process on top of the FIA hot laps. So, 8 pro-level Barbadian Esport drivers including Leon had to race in a 25-minute sprint and also a 60-minute feature to decide who would be picked up to be on the Esports programme Barbados were supporting in 2022. Leon managed to win both of these and so was selected to represent his home nation.
Leon had this to say, “I’m excited to be a part of this upcoming competition. I always watch the SRO esports events and so to share the same grid with some of those guys will be next level. I started sim racing on console two years ago but moved over to PC at the end of 2021 and I’m part of the SOP motorsports esports team in the UK.”
The entire team at SOP Esports Racing wish Leon all the luck with this competition. Whatever happens, we are sure he will do Barbados proud, himself proud and SOP Esports Racing proud. See you on the grid in Marseille champ!
SOP MOTORSPORT 