The 2026 Motorsport UK Cross Car Esports Cup has been officially launched — a brand new championship beginning in February 2026, offering sim racers a clear and direct pathway into real world motorsport, within the Motorsport UK British Rallycross Championship 5 Nations Trophy.

Hosted on the iRacing platform and using the official FIA Cross Car, the championship has been created to identify and develop future talent by bridging the gap between virtual competition and real world racing.

In a landmark prize for UK sim racers, the overall winner will receive a real world test day and race entry into the Motorsport UK Cross Car Championship, provided by LifeLive, with tyres generously donated by the Waltham Services Group. The experience will take place at an iconic British Rallycross venue, delivering an authentic first step into national level competition.

The 2026 Motorsport UK Cross Car Esports Cup is built around accessibility while delivering a high‑impact reward. This reinforces Motorsport UK’s role as the sport’s governing body and its commitment to providing a genuine pathway from sim racing to the track.

Your journey from virtual racing to real world racing starts here.

Pre‑Qualifier Details

Your route into the championship begins with an open pre‑qualifier event held from 31 January – 2 February, hosted in the Time Attack section of iRacing. The event is open to all iRacing members.

To officially qualify for the championship, drivers must:

• Be 16 years or older
• Hold a UK passport
• Have never competed in Cross Car, Rallycross or Autocross previously

How to Enter

If you already have an iRacing account, simply log in and you’ll find the event within the Time Attack area.

If you’re not currently an iRacing member, you can join the Motorsport UK Esports community unlocking a free 12‑month iRacing subscription. This membership acts as your key to this exclusive opportunity, granting access to the championship and providing a clear pathway into real world motorsport.

Find out more here: https://esports.motorsportuk.org/cross-car-esports-cup

With a real‑world race seat at the top of the trophy list, Motorsport UK is once again positioning sim racing as a credible starting point for the next generation of British motorsport talent

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