RACING GOES VIRTUAL:
BMW SIM RACING.

Many fans of cars and racing long for the opportunity to drive a racing car on world-famous racetracks themselves. A safe and cheap option is virtual motorsport on a screen: sim racing. In sim racing, computer simulations on a PC or games console replicate realistic races and the physics of driving, traction, grip and tyre behaviour are simulated as precisely as possible. The only requirements are the right platform (the simulation software), the hardware (PC or console) and suitable peripheral equipment such as a steering wheel and pedals. So sim racing is much more than a simple game on the screen. It's certainly a legitimate training option for both amateurs and pros – and it is the arena for thrilling races with participants from around the world. The only requirements are the right platform (the simulation software), the hardware (PC or console) and suitable peripheral equipment such as a steering wheel and pedals. So sim racing is much more than a simple game on the screen. It's certainly a legitimate training option for both amateurs and pros – and it is the arena for thrilling races with participants from around the world.

In the 2020 season, the focus was on the BMW SIM 120 Cup and the BMW SIM M2 CS Racing Cup as separate digital BMW one-make cups with a top-class field, but BMW cars and BMW works drivers also enjoyed numerous successes at renowned sim racing events outside of these cups. BMW SIM Live represented the grand finale and served up a show full of highlights. In the grand finals a total prize purse of over € 25,000 was up for grabs. The event also offered the opportunity to look back on the first season of the BMW SIM Racing commitment, as well as looking ahead to the programme for the coming season, which is even bigger and better.

BMW added sim racing to its racing programme as a standalone, equal pillar in 2020 and, in close collaboration with the rapidly growing sim racing community, helped raise the industry to an even more professional level. Working closely with the simulation platforms iRacing and rFactor 2, BMW integrated racing cars such as the BMW M8 GTE, the BMW M4 GT4 and the BMW M2 CS Racing into the simulations as realistically as possible. 2021 sees the addition of the BMW M4 GT3 as a new car and Assetto Corsa Competizione as a new collaborative platform.

Wanted: the best of the best! Over the last year, the most successful sim racers in the world have produced some thrilling battles and treated fans to spectacular racing in the BMW SIM Cups. At BMW SIM Live 2021, the finalists will go head to head one last time in the ultimate showdown on 20th and 21st November, when they battle it out for the crown in the BMW SIM GT Cup, the BMW SIM M2 CS Racing Cup and BMW SIM Time Attack. Who will be crowned champion? And what can the sim racing community look forward to in 2022? BMW SIM Live provides the answers, a good reason to highlight both dates in your calendar. We will be streaming the digital event live at twitch.tv/bmwesports.

BMW Bank GmbH is one of the leading automobile banks in Germany with an affiliated company in France and with branches in Italy, Spain and Portugal. The products for business and private customers range from the financing, leasing and insurance of automobiles and motorcycles to customised asset management offerings. BMW Bank GmbH is part of BMW Group Financial Services. Virtually every second new BMW and MINI is financed or leased via BMW Group Financial Services. BMW Bank has been  Premium Partner of BMW SIM Racing since 2020 and won the title with its team in the premiere season of the Digital Nürburgring Endurance Series (DNLS).