Last month, McLaren and HTC announced their partnership in order to launch an esports competition. HTC is implementing their Vive in the competition that will take place in China. McLaren officially named it as the McLaren Shadow Project and contestants will use the Vive to be transported to a VR world to pilot F1 cars. The competition will be a time trial race each round. Players will earn their spot in the finals in January 2019 by being the fastest in their heat. The incentive to winning is a permanent spot on McLaren’s esports development program. Formula 1 racing has already announced their plans to enter the esports world, and McLaren has stated the first way they are finding the best players.

The Shadow Project is taking place at Chinajoy, one of China’s Digital Entertainment Expos. The Chinese have taken this competition seriously as esports is one of the most idolized industries throughout all of Asia for the younger generation. HTC’s Chinese President, Alvin Wang Graylin posted photos of the event on his Twitter along with other videos showing the prowess of the Vive. The first qualifiers match is taking place at Chinajoy, but the competition will continue throughout the next couple months. If you are interested in the growth of a new esport, be sure to keep up with racing scene. If you are looking to enter the McLaren Shadow Project, here is the schedule of games that they are planning to scout through:

• August: iRacing, Real Racing 3

• September: iRacing, rFactor2, Real Racing 3

• October: iRacing, rFactor2, Forza, Real Racing 3

• November: Semi-finals/Amateur finals

• January: 2019 Finals

Good luck to all the contestants!