Motorsport Network and Codemasters® today confirmed that the DiRT Rally 2.0™ World Championship will commence on 10th September 2019. In partnership with Motorsport Network, the competitive gaming Championship is open to all players on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, the Xbox One family of devices and Windows PC (DVD and via Steam). Players will compete in a series of online challenges, culminating in a live final at the Autosport International Show at the Birmingham NEC on the weekend of 11th January 2020.
The DiRT Rally 2.0 World Championship heats will be played across three months, consisting of three weeks of qualifiers each with a pre-determined location, stage and car class. All weekly winners across the three formats will qualify for the quarter-finals with an additional place going to the players who have the fastest cumulative time each month. The quarter and semi-finals will take place over the weekend of 7-8th December 2019 and will be broadcast live across DiRT Rally 2.0 and Motorsport Network channels. Players can choose between wheel or pad for the qualifiers. The DiRT Rally 2.0 World Championship Final will be played on wheel only.
The dates for the DiRT Rally 2.0 World Championship qualifiers are as follows:
Rally:
- 10th September: Poland – Kopina – H2
- 17th September: Argentina – Las Juntas – Group B 4WD
- 24th September: New Zealand – Te Awanga Forward – R5
- 8th October: Spain – Comienzo en Bellriu – Rally GT
- 15th October: USA – North Fork Pass – Group A
- 22nd October: Australia – Mount Kaye Pass – Group B 4WD
- 5th November: Poland – Czarny Las – H3 RWD
- 12th November: New Zealand – Waimarama Point Reserve – R2
- 19th November: Spain – Decenso por carretera – R5
Rallycross:
- 10th September: Hell, Norway – RX1600
- 17th September: Trois-Rivières, Canada – RX2
- 24th September: Lohéac Bretagne, France – RX Supercars
- 8th October: Montalegre, Portugal – RX Supercars
- 15th October: Silverstone, England – RX2
- 22nd October: Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Spain – RX1600
- 5th November: Mettet, Belgium – RX2
- 12th November: Höljes, Sweden – RX1600
- 19th November: Hell, Norway – RX Supercars
Ross Gowing, DiRT Rally 2.0 Game Director at Codemasters said, “After six months of planning, we are finally ready to launch the DiRT Rally 2.0 World Championship and we can’t wait to get started. Our players are passionate and love the thrill of competing. We look forward to crowning our inaugural World Champions in January and wish all our players the very best of luck.”
Stephen Hood of Motorsport Network said, “We are delighted to be working with Codemasters to deliver the official DiRT Rally 2.0 Esports programme. The quality of their game, combined with our capabilities within the growing esports space, will serve to provide the community with a first-class series in which to showcase their talent.”