#RACEATHOME: The original gamer-turned-racer up for Esports WTCR challenge

March 25th, 2020 | 2020, Esports |

Norbert Michelisz is one of a number of WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup drivers entered for the pre-season Esports WTCR series – and will be one to watch.

Michelisz is the original gamer-turned-racer after his talents racing online earned him a test that ultimately ended up with the Hungarian claiming the WTCR title in 2019 driving a BRC Racing Team-run Hyundai i30 N TCR.

Such was his ability in simracing that his compatriot Gábor Wéber, an established touring car racer, recommended Michelisz for a test at the Hungaroring in 2005.

Despite being a total rookie, Michelisz ended up 0.2s slower than Wéber in a Zengő Motorsport Renault Clio.

And after winning the WTCR title in 2019 in a Hyundai i30 N TCR, Michelisz said: “A bit more than 10 years ago I was sitting at home dreaming about driving a racing car. But in our [family’s] position, at 18 I realised that probably I was not going to make it. But then I was invited for a test when I was 21. It was the first time for me driving a racing car because of my gaming results.

“Year by year I managed to climb a bit higher. Even coming from Hungary to get a works seat was something unbelievable, let alone winning races and being in a position to fight for a world title on two occasions.”