Qualifiers will be open from 3-12 September to global entrants, with the winner being invited to the grand final at the McLaren Technology Centre on 9-11 December.

For the second year running, this collaboration between McLaren Shadow Project and EA will offer mobile racing drivers a genuine opportunity to transfer their virtual skills to real track racing in a competition that shadows McLaren’s real world.

How to enter:

1. Download Real Racing 3 on your Apple or Android device
2. Once in-game, login to the game using Google Play, Game Center or Facebook
3. Complete the Tutorial races
4. Select the McLaren Shadow Project Time Trial Competition event within the main menu
5. Accept Terms and Conditions
6. Complete a lap to submit a time

For McLaren Shadow Project, the inclusion of the award-winning Real Racing 3 – a game with hundreds of millions of downloads worldwide – is significant: the 2018 competition saw half a million would-be-racing drivers enter the qualifiers, and 2019 is set to be even bigger.

This year, the most successful Real Racing 3 entrant will be invited to the McLaren Technology Centre to experience a bespoke driver training programme. Taking place in October, this programme has been created especially for mobile gamers and draws upon McLaren’s celebrated real-world driver training techniques. It gives mobile gamers the opportunity to try sim racing before returning in December for Shadow Project’s head-to-head finals against entrants from every McLaren Shadow qualifier series.

The victor of The Shadow Project Grand Final at the McLaren Technology Centre will win once in a lifetime experiences and prizes, including:

• Unique access to McLaren’s world-class training ecosystem
• A seat on the McLaren Shadow esports team
• A custom sim-racing set-up installed in their home with help from McLaren Shadow Project partners Logitech G and Alienware.

The Shadow Project’s victor will gain unique access to McLaren's elite training expertise, including bespoke simulator access and drive the McLaren 600LT on a private test track at Dunsfold.

Gamers must test their virtual driving mettle in the Real Racing 3 qualifier by selecting the latest McLaren supercar – the McLaren 600LT, and complete their very best lap around the legendary Circuit of the Americas (more details below).

Ben Payne, McLaren Director of esports, said:

“McLaren Shadow Project is the most diverse and dynamic racing esports competition on the planet. We are looking for talented racers from all countries and backgrounds, across all major platforms, and we are delighted to have partnered with Real Racing 3. Mobile devices are truly ubiquitous, and available to the largest number of gamers globally.

“Driving is a gaming genre for which the transference of skills between the virtual and the real is genuine and proven – and we believe this must include mobile. We’re confident that by putting the Real Racing 3 champion through McLaren’s bespoke driver training programme in October, we’ll have a mobile racer who is competition ready and able to compete against the cream of virtual racing at the December Finals.”

Joe Donoghue, General Manager of EA Firemonkeys, said:

“The Real Racing™ franchise is thrilled to be continuing our partnership with the ground-breaking esports competition run by McLaren. This year, Real Racing 3 is excited to be able to offer our mobile winner a unique opportunity to take part in a bespoke driver training programme at the McLaren Technology Centre ahead of the head-to head finals in December.

"At Firemonkeys Studios, we strongly believe that esports continues to expand engagement in motorsports. Our fans will be excited for the opportunity to race the McLaren 600LT on the Circuit of the Americas track in our in-game Time Trial in a bid to be crowned the winner of McLaren Shadow Project 2019 and the coveted seat on the McLaren esports team.”

Key Dates:

• Qualifiers: 3-12 September 2019
• Driver upskill week: October (date TBC)
• Grand Finals: 9-11 December 2019

Download the app for your device here.