FIFTY-two turbo-charged Audi's taking on Mount Panorama - just don't expect to hear the sound of their engines across Bathurst.
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Thursday night will see that field of 52 cars will take virtual starting orders rather than physically being on the grid at the Bathurst track in the opening round of the Australian Racing Group's eSport Cup.
The 10-week, online gaming series, borne out of the coronavirus pandemic, will feature a host of 'real' races under the Australian Racing Group's stable of categories, competing on the iRacing software.
Thursday night's first round will be held held at Mount Panorama.
Drivers from TCR Australia, S5000, Touring Car Masters, V8 Touring Cars and Trans Am, with a smattering of special guests, will strut their stuff around Bathurst, broadcast live on Facebook and YouTube.
Subsequent rounds of the 10 consecutive week series will see the drivers use Formula 3 cars, depicting the VHT Australian S5000 Championship.
In the real world, the 52 car field is full of world-class talent, with Australian Touring Car champions, Bathurst 1000 winners, British Touring Car champions and other international drivers littering the grid.
Three-times Bathurst 1000 winner Garth Tander will compete, driving the #75 Audi.
Tander scored pole in the ill-fated TCR Asia Pacific Cup event at the Australian Grand Prix last month, and will be looking to maintain his hot form in his Melbourne Performance Centre entry.
Blake 'Bilko' Williams is also a confirmed starter, and while the Victorian native is more at home on freestyle motocross tracks, he is sure to bring a new audience to the racing.
The Victorian native commands a huge social media following, bringing an extra dimension of interest to the online event.
Another interesting addition to the field is Jaxon Evans. The 2018 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia champion is the son of TCR Australia Cupra car owner John Evans, operating under the Garage1 entry.
He will be part of a two-car Garage1 team alongside the team's regular driver Tim Brook.
Chelsea Angelo is the sole female entrant.
The broadcast of the carsales ARG eSport Cup will start at 8pm on TCR's Facebook page (@TCRAustralia).
