Assetto Corsa Competizione
3 seats- Car
- Porsche 992 GT3 R
- Circuit
- Circuit Zolder
- Server hours
- All day, every day
- Setup
- Open
Watch outOnly laps set in the Porsche 992 GT3 R count. The car comes with the 2023 GT World Challenge Pack. ACC is PC only.
Presented by
MECC Maastricht · Sim Formula Europe 2027
Sim Formula Europe Championship returns.
Friday 15 January 2027
Sixteen drivers. Four different ways to qualify for the finals. Held on a simulator that is set up exclusively for this competition. In past years we've never revealed the name of the circuit this early, but for once we are making an exception to announce that Maastricht will be back!
- Finalists
- 16
- Circuit
- Maastricht
- Prize pool
- €10,000
- Qualifying from
- 10:00
The competition
Sim Formula Europe returns for 2027
We are using the format from the last few years. There are four different ways to qualify and become one of the sixteen drivers and compete on a simulator that is set up exclusively for this final. The online qualifiers run on the platform of our partner SimGrid.
One real difference. On-site qualifying now happens on the same day as the finals: Friday, January 15th, from 10:00. The full schedule for that day will be announced at a later date.
Online qualifier
Two different hotlap leaderboards run on the SimGrid platform, from 25 November to 5 December.
The final
Hosted by The Last Garage, a simulator platform that is set up for this event.
Announced now
The circuit is Maastricht
The city circuit, rebuilt by The Last Garage. In previous years we would not announce the track until finals day. This time we announce it early.
Two weeks out
The car is revealed
Announced publicly on January 3rd. Drivers get the specs, the numbers and the sound. No practice until the finals day!
Still no practice
Built exclusively for the event
Although all drivers know the track and the car prior to the event, the platform we race on is not available for testing, so the first lap anyone drives will be on the Friday in Maastricht in front of the crowd.
Four routes in
How to qualify
Twelve seats are won on a stopwatch. Three are invitations and one belongs to the reigning champion. Entry is free and no ticket guarantees you a place in the field.
6seats
SimGrid hotlap challenge
November–December 2026 · ACC and iRacing
The one route anybody can enter from home. Two platforms, two leaderboards, three seats on each. The window runs from 25 November to 5 December, with open setup on both boards.
6seats
On-site qualifying
Friday 15 January, from 10:00
Open hotlapping on the stage of Auditorium 2, on the platform the final uses. Anyone with a ticket can queue up. The six fastest drivers qualify for the final sixteen.
NOTE: Even the drivers who have already qualified via one of the other three routes need to set a time during this session to get the best possible spot on the grid.
3seats
SFE wildcards
Announced December 2026
Three invitations from Sim Formula Europe. Wildcards start on exactly the same terms as everyone else, with no seeding advantage.
1seat
The reigning champion
Standing entitlement
The champion never qualifies again while the title is theirs. Sven Geelhoed took the 2026 title and keeps his place on the grid. He does not have to qualify. He has to defend.
The SimGrid hotlap challenge
How the online qualifier works
- 01Two boards, three seats eachACC and iRacing run their own hotlap and their own leaderboard, each sending three drivers to Maastricht.
- 02Open setupSame car, same circuit, but the setup is yours. Bring what you have, build what you want, share what you like.
- 03Different server hoursACC runs all day, every day of the window. iRacing runs nightly, 19:00 to 22:00 CET. Unlimited attempts, best lap counts.
- 04Leaderboard every dayBoth boards update daily, so you always know the time you have to beat and how much of the window is left.
Setup is open on both platforms. Laps that break track limits are voided automatically, every top time is reviewed on replay before a seat is confirmed, one driver can hold only one seat across both boards, and a tie goes to whoever set the time first.
The online qualifier
Two leaderboards
One for Assetto Corsa Competizione, one for iRacing. Three seats come off each board when the window closes.
- Opens
- Wed 25 Nov, 19:00
- Closes
- Sat 5 Dec, 22:00
- Time zone
- CET
iRacing
3 seats- Car
- Porsche 911 GT3 R (992)
- Circuit
- Circuit Zolder
- Server hours
- 19:00–22:00 CET, nightly
- Setup
- Open
ImportantPlease make sure to save your Replay and Telemetry files, as the Organizer may request them for verification. Failure to provide these files when requested will result in your entry being automatically disqualified.
Lap times on both leaderboards are updated every day. The final results will be published on Sunday 6 December at 12:00 CET.
Leaderboard live 26/11How to enter on SimGrid
- 01Join the Sim Formula Europe Discord.
- 02Go to simgrid-hotlap-challenge.
- 03Select the platform you want to compete in.
- 04In that channel you will find how to enter.
- 05ACC is up all day; the iRacing server opens 19:00 to 22:00 CET each night. Unlimited attempts, only your best lap counts.
NoteAssetto Corsa Competizione is PC only. There is no console entry on that board.
Friday 15 January · Maastricht
Road to the final
Qualifying and the final happen on the same day, in the same room. Sixteen drivers, two heats, one last chance. Fourteen of the sixteen race at least twice, on identical rigs with a fixed setup.
- 10:00Qualifying opensStage of Auditorium 2. Open hotlapping for the last six seats. Even qualified drivers set a time.
- 15:00The sixteen are setBoard closes, grid announced, drivers' briefing and the track walk-through.
- 18:00Heats, last chance and grand finalExact times announced closer to the event. Follow the Discord to get them first.
- 6 · SimGrid3 on ACC · 3 on iRacing6 · On-siteAuditorium 2 · Friday3 · WildcardSFE invitation1 · ChampionTitle defender
- 16 Drivers
- Heat 18 driversHeat 28 drivers
- Top 3 of each heat go straight through · P4–P7 drop to the Last Chance Race · P8 is out
- P4–P7 · Heat 1Last Chance Race8 drivers · top 2 throughP4–P7 · Heat 2
- Top 3 · Heat 1Top 2 · Last ChanceTop 3 · Heat 2
- Grand Final8 drivers
- Sim Formula Europe 2027 Champion
€10,000 total
Prize money
Every one of the sixteen finalists is paid. Reaching the grid is already worth something.
- Age
- The minimum age to compete is 16 years. Written consent from a parent or guardian is required under 18.
- Attempts
- Two on-site qualifying attempts per driver. Any further attempt excludes you from the competition.
- 1st place
- €3,000
- 2nd place
- €2,000
- 3rd place
- €1,500
- 4th place
- €1,000
- 5th place
- €700
- 6th place
- €500
- 7th place
- €300
- 8th place
- €200
- 9th–16th place
- €100 each
- Total prize pool
- €10,000
Presented by
- 14–17 January 2027
- MECC Maastricht
- Final: Friday 15 January
- €10,000 prize pool