McLaren Shadow Project is coming to ChinaJoy, a Digital Entertainment Expo and Conference based in Shanghai from 3rd August to 6th August 2018. 

McLaren Shadow Project is a virtual racing programme that shadows McLaren’s real world equivalent. The champion of McLaren Shadow Project 2018 will win a place on the new McLaren esports team and go on to race online against the best teams in the world. The winner will also win access to the McLaren esports development programme, as well as an enviable stash of goodies. 

Rewatch McLaren Shadow's official launch film below. 

McLaren's virtual reality partner HTC Vive, will be activating a McLaren Shadow Project qualifying event at ChinaJoy in  Shanghai, where attendees will compete on rFactor 2 VR using the HTC’s state of the art Vive Pro headset. The competition will be time trial based with the fastest competitor winning a place in the McLaren Shadow Project finals, which take place in January 2019 at the McLaren Technology Centre UK.

Ben Payne, McLaren Director of esports explains more about McLaren Shadow Project: 

“McLaren Shadow Project is all about finding the most talented virtual racers from all countries and backgrounds. To make this possible our qualifier events are taking place online and at gaming events around the world on the biggest games and platforms. We are delighted to be partnering with HTC to launch the rFactor 2 VR qualifier at ChinaJoy and look forward to seeing gamers test their skills on the track!”

Speaking of McLaren’s partnership with HTC, Zak Brown, Chief Executive Office, McLaren Racing, said: 

“Today’s announcement is a real statement of intent from both McLaren and HTC. We are both committed to using the latest technology to give our fans the most immersive experience possible, short of physically putting them in the car. We will also work together to transform the way VR is used to enhance gaming, creating an experience that enables gamers to feel like one of the world’s best racing drivers.”

How to enter

Qualification heats kick off at ChinaJoy from August 3-6, entrants must be over 18, entrants do not need to pre register and can sign up on the day at the HTC booth located at S112, Hall E4 in Shanghai New International Expo Center.

Additional McLaren Shadow Project qualifying events are being held throughout the summer on Real Racing™ 3 (mobile), Forza Motorsport (Xbox), iRacing (PC) and rFactor 2 (PC).

For the latest updates and information on McLaren Shadow, our pioneering esports programme, follow McLaren Shadow's official channels.

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