The Armed Forces Virtual Race Challenge powered by RAF eMotorsports is an inclusive online circuit racing championship for current and ex-serving members of UK Armed Forces. Utilising the iRacing platform the racing is as close to the real thing as possible.
A live stream provided at every competitive event means anyone across the world can be involved with the action.
The championship aims to promote synthetic motor racing and acts as a grassroots platform or a stepping stone for those wishing to make a transition from sim racing into physical motor racing. In 2021 RAF eMotorsports driver James King made the transition from Sim Racing to Motor Racing where his team finished on the class podium at Race Of Remembrance, and since then many of the competing drivers have used this championship to prepare for the live environment with the Armed Forces Race Challenge beginning as AFvRC finishes.
Season 1 – 2021
The 2021 edition of the championship ran under the previous moniker of e-Armed Forces Race Challenge (eAFRC) and utilised the Mazda Global MX-5 Cup car available to all iRacing members as part of the base subscription, as well as taking drivers to all of the available British racing circuits with a flyaway round to Spa-Francorchamps.
Season 2 – 2022
For 2022 the championship was renamed to Armed Forces Virtual Race Challenge (AFVRC) and used the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992) and Porsche Cayman GT4 (718) cars. Using the consistency scoring the same as the Armed Forces Race Challenge which neutralises a budget by rewarding the most consistent drivers the virtual championship can be won by a participant from either the GT3 or GT4 class. The teams championship however is decided by points based on class finishing position which keeps the ‘lights to flag’ race applicable.
The trophy didn’t come away with an RAF competitor unfortunately, Army Motorsports competitor SSgt Craig Durrant ran a great season in the GT4 to finish the season as Champion, a feat he hoped to repeat for Season 3…
Season 3 – 2023
Once again for 2023 the series evolved with the introduction of the Toyota Gazoo Racing GR86 Cup car and a slight change in the calendar, moving the flyaway round to a circuit that was randomly selected from the content available with the base iRacing subscription (Okayama International Circuit), as well as returning to a single class of cars.
Supported by the British Forces Broadcasting Service who provided much needed funding and broadcasting of selected rounds of the AFVRC, in addition to the venerable John Knighton on commentary.
In addition Race Car Radios came on board with us to provide an amazing track experience first prize for the season winner.
We also worked alongside Splunk> to provide live telemetry analysis throughout the season.
With comfortably the strongest field we had seen so far in AFVRC, it was a hard-fought championship amongst the tri-service competitors with great performances seen up and down the field, which was more competitive than ever! Ultimately RAF eMotorsports driver Cpl Ryan Martin took home the silverware after showing himself as consistently one of if not the fastest drivers in the field.
Season 4 – 2024
Turning the wick up a little for the new season, the format has once again been updated to use new cars, with the full GT4 class (Aston Martin Vantage GT4, BMW M4 GT4, Mclaren 570S GT4, Mercedes AMG GT4, Porsche Cayman 718 GT4) available to competitors this time, utilising a fixed setup to keep the different cars a bit closer together in laptime. In addition, there are now two flyaway rounds throughout the season, one being the random venue from the included content and the other being a premiere international venue…
Catch the latest full season of broadcast streams here
The championship is on the lookout for new competitors, supporters and commercial partners. Social media engagement and video advertising is possible before, during and after the streams. Anyone interested in taking part or getting involved should contact the RAF eMotorsports Facebook Page or join the Discord Server.