Gfinity partnering with Microsoft for virtual Le Mans race

International esports promoter Gfinity announced on Friday that it had been confirmed as the exclusive partner for the ‘elite’ finals of Microsoft's Forza Racing Championship at the 24 Hours of Le Mans event in June.

The AIM-traded firm said it would leverage its expertise in delivering all the online and offline esports tournaments for the event as the world's most talented virtual drivers would reportedly battle for their share of the $0.1m prize fund at the “most prestigious endurance race in the world”.

As the official global tournament partner for the Forza Racing Championship, Gfinity would be working alongside Turn 10 Studios, Porsche and Automobile Club de l'Ouest to bring the world of esports to the motorsport community, who could watch the action live from Le Mans via the official Mixer, Twitch and YouTube live streams.

The finals would take place on 17 and 18 June at the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France.

More than 100 people were expected to take part in the competition, making the ForzaRC season 3 Elite finals the largest racing esports event ever hosted at Le Mans.

The winner of the ForzaRC Elite finals would stand on the official Le Mans podium alongside the winning 24 Hours of Le Mans sports car endurance race drivers to claim their trophy and cash prizes.

Gfinity said the partnership with Microsoft would help to further establish it as a leader in international esports tournament design and execution.

The hosting of ForzaRC also ran alongside Gfinity's Elite Series, an esports tournament where amateur gamers had a chance to be drafted to a professional team.

“Gfinity's experience of global events makes us the perfect platform for showcasing such a spectacle,” said CEO Neville Upton.

“The Gfinity team are extremely proud to be involved in such a legendary event, where all of the action will be in one place for sports and racing fans alike.”