January 12-15 sees the Sim Formula Europe show pitch its tents in Maastricht. There will be esport competitions, brands on display, and talks. Here are the details.
Image Credit: Sim Formula Europe Twitter
This weekend, the Sim Formula Europe show is setting up shop in Maastricht for four days of simracing fun. The event, now in its fifth edition, is set to host some of the largest esport competitions around. It will also feature a number of brands ready to show off their new releases.
Taking place at the MECC in Maastricht, the Sim Formula Europe show sits alongside the Inter Classics car show. Yes, just like last month’s ADAC SimRacing Expo, this is a racing game event organised alongside a classic car meet. Fans had an amazing opportunity to gaze at ancient automobiles while patrolling the Expo a month ago. So surely the collaboration found in Maastricht should be just as successful.
Brands on Display at Sim Formula Europe
Originally debuting as purely an esports event, Sim Formula Europe has more recently evolved into a larger-scale celebration of all things simracing. This year’s show will see countless brands set up stands in a vast hall, away from the Sim Arena.
Among the names attending the event are both well known hardware manufacturers and perhaps less known names. In fact, this is a true celebration of the simracing community as a whole, not just the big guys.
Many non-household names like O-Rouge and Digitraqz are brands based in the Benelux region. The Sim Formula Europe organisers are really working hard to elevate the talented teams found in their local area.
Many of the displays will focus on various rigs and chassis. Next Level Racing, O-Rouge and Trak Racer will be displaying their newest creations. The most interesting of these is Next Level Racing. Having just unveiled its new Haptic Feedback seat cover, the piece of tech is sure to make an appearance at the show.
Other companies will be displaying their peripherals. Venym impressed at SimRacing Expo last month with its pedals built to the same standard as those found in Formula cars. They will certainly be looking to sell more examples of their carbon fibre pedal kit. Elsewhere, with deliveries starting, Thrustmaster may allow fans to try out its new Direct Drive T818 wheel.
An Esports-heavy Event
Despite the many stands for fans to walk around, the event is centred the Sim Arena. A stage will hold a dozen state of the art simulators set up for the many races taking place over the weekend.
The first of two major esport competitions at Sim Formula Europe is the Heusinkveld Peregrine race. Taking place on Sunday, this is open to anyone and everyone attending the event. In the morning, punters will be able to set hotlaps with the fastest racers entering a final race in the afternoon. The winner of said final will be crowned the 2023 Peregrine. They will win a Heusinkveld handbrake and set of Sprint pedals. A stream will air the race live on the SFE Youtube channel.
The second competitive event has more of a professional vibe. Throughout the year, some of the best in simracing have been taking part in qualifier rounds leading up to the Sim Formula Finals in Maastricht this weekend. On Saturday, the Sim Arena will see eight top level racers compete for a €10,000 prize pool, supposedly the largest esports prize in Benelux.
Among the line-up is Dennis Zet’ak and Bert Knops of Arnage Competition. Tom Oldenmenger and Damian Skowron from Burst Esports will be there too. R8G Esports’ Thomas Ronhaar and Risto Kappet will also join the frey. Jarl Teien and Jarno Opmeer complete the field from BS+ Competition and Mercedes AMG Petronas respectively.
Both competitions will use rFactor 2. In fact, the game and its developing and publishing teams, Studio 397 and Motorsport.com, are partners of the event. As such, you won’t see many other titles on display during the weekend.
Will you be attending Sim Formula Europe or watching the esport competitions from home? Tell us on Twitter at @OverTake_gg or in the comments down below!
