Digital motorsport hits Botswana
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday March 11, 2022 14:00
The Star Rally is available digitally with the competition on computerised simulations that replicate real-life racing. The Star Rally has been popular across the world and it is starting to gain some popularity in the Middle East and Africa recently. Speaking to Mmegi Sport, BMS president, Kagiso Modibedi said despite its unpopularity locally, it proved to be less costly hence it provides an alternative for local aspirants to realise their motorsport dream as the BMS targets 400 drivers by the end of the year. Modibedi said the event has attracted a lot of interest as by Wednesday, over 40 participants had registered for the event. “Driving simulators are not popular on the mainstream, but it is the fastest-growing motorsport sector.
It is the cheapest and it can be done in the comfort of one's home. We are expecting it to be the most popular sector in Botswana with at least 300-400 licensed competitors by the end of the year. And we are expecting a minimum of 100 competitors for the first event, but currently, the registrations are at around 40,” he said. Modibedi further said the BMS will hold the national championship later this year where, two drivers, a male and a female will win a ticket to the African finals to be held at the Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria, South Africa from May 27-29, 2022. The winners of the continental finals will take part in the FIA World Games to be held in October. “The need for Botswana is to participate in this programme is to ensure that we give Batswana who are interested in a racing career, an opportunity to do so.
Firstly, those who will take part in the regional finals will bring knowledge to add to the local scene, and most importantly the experience that is gained from such competitions will further motivate them. It helps them to gauge their skills against the best on the continent,” Modibedi said. According to the official Star Rally website, "each rally features a number (typically between 15 and 25) of timed sections - known as special stages - on closed roads. Drivers battle one at a time to complete these stages as quickly as possible, with timing taken to 1/10th second.
A co-driver reads detailed pace notes that explain the hazards ahead. “They (competitors) will take a liking to Sim racing and hopefully invest in their simulators, thus leading a competitive championship in Botswana. Remember, these simulators are close to the real thing and play a huge part in talent detection around the world,” Modibedi said.