🚗💨 MEET THE TEAM - Pace Motorsport 🚗💨

🚗💨 Exciting News from the Gran Turismo South Africa Community! 💨🚗

We’re thrilled to unveil a brand-new feature where we’ll be shining the spotlight on the incredible teams that make up the vibrant South African Gran Turismo Sim Racing scene. Get ready to meet the passionate racers and discover the stories behind their high-speed adventures!

In our First feature, It is our pleasure to introduce, Team Pace Motorsport.

In the thrilling world of South African Sim Racing, Pace Motorsport stands out as a beacon of excellence and passion for their craft. 

Founded in 2019, this dynamic eSports Sim Racing crew has quickly made a name for itself, competing in numerous prestigious tournaments and events within the South African eSports and International communities.

While they emphasize on promoting mental health and driver's personal growth, they also consistently race alongside the top drivers in the country. 

Their journey is a testament to dedication, skill, and the relentless pursuit of speed.

Yasteel_Pace, SuperManny picture taken in Johannesburg, Festival of Motoring

Speaking with Team Member Trivz Moodley, ahead of the next Gran Turismo South Africa race, he said "Pace Motorsport has evolved from a team to a brotherhood, where we uplift and support each other, ensuring no man is left behind. Collaboration is the heartbeat of our team, fueled by mutual respect, understanding, and inclusion."

Trivz_GG picture taken in Durban

This team has also been recognized within the Gran Turismo South Africa community Hall of Fame over the last 3 years as the Team of the Year, with many memorable moments to reminisce on, more famously:

• Many of the Teams Around-the-Outside overtakes captured on Livestreams.

• The 1st/2nd/3rd finish from CaleVDB_Pace, SuperManny and RizlaTheRoller in VRC League around Willow Springs

• Various ACGL and TTGE awards at Comic Con Cape Town and Comic Con Africa Leaderboards

RizlaTheRoller at ComicCon Africa

Drivers testing out the Sim Rigs at Festival of Motoring in Johannesburg

KLM_Pace at Comic Con Cape Town

The Team is committed to ensuring the success of South African Sim Racing on the International stage, taking part in multiple renowned, more notably the ATK Pro Series in 2021 which assisted in catapulting the teams footprint in local and International scenes.

While achieving results within the Top 10 in most races, commentators where admiring the vibe the team provided both on Social Media, on track and within the car livery designs, driving in their infamous Red, Grey and Black cars.

Various ATK Pro Series Liveries by designer JayDoublO_Pace

Outside of the Virtual Sim Racing World, the team also has drivers who compete, nationally, in various Motorsport South Africa (MSA) sanctioned events. We spoke to CaleVDB_Pace, who competes within the South African Formula Drift scene, on how Sim Racing helped assist with his step into real world motorsports,

"Sim Racing played a crucial role in my transition to real-world motorsport, especially Formula Drifting. It provided me with a solid foundation in car control, strategy, and the mental discipline required for high-stakes racing. 

The virtual environment allowed me to practice and refine my skills without the physical and financial risks associated with real-world racing.

Specifically, for Formula Drifting, Sim Racing helped me understand the nuances of vehicle dynamics and the importance of precision in executing drifts. The ability to experiment with different setups and techniques in a simulated environment gave me the confidence and knowledge to perform on actual tracks. 

It was like having a limitless practice ground where I could push the limits and learn from my mistakes, ultimately making me a more competent and competitive driver in the real world."

Driver, CaleVDB_Pace in team kit at the RedBull Car Park Drift in Durban next to his tuned Nissan 240SX

Another driver competing in the SA Amateur Karting scene, Ethan "Buzzkill975", has been hard at work ensuring that his skills are refined both in Sim Racing and on track, currently involved with various team in the Western Cape area both as a driver and mechanic.

Moreover, the team boasts a talented lineup of streamers who are revolutionizing the way Sim Racing is perceived and enjoyed within the South African community. By bringing their unique flair and creativity to the virtual tracks, they are making Sim Racing more accessible and visible to a broader audience.

One standout moment was when their very own driver, KLM_Pace, was invited to the Expresso Show. 

There, he dazzled viewers with his impressive skills and shared his insightful perspectives on the burgeoning Sim Racing scene in South Africa. It was a proud moment that highlighted the growing impact and excitement of Sim Racing in our community.

Driver, KLM_Pace with Grant Hinds at Expresso Studios

We sat with Trivz_GG and KLM_Pace at a GOAT Gaming event where we asked them what advice they had for aspiring Sim Racer's who may not understand What  the most crucial element is in a race? and their advice to newcomers?

Kaylan: “While speed and pace are undeniably important, I believe consistency is the real key to success. It’s about maintaining that high performance lap after lap, which ultimately sets the best racers apart.”

Trivz: "Never forget to enjoy your racing. At the end of the day, it’s all about the thrill and passion for the sport. If you’re not having fun, you’re missing the point!”

Drivers at GOAT Gaming former HQ in Johannesburg

From the real race track to the virtual one, the Pace Motorsport team’s passion for racing is evident in everything they do. 

By leveraging social media and engaging with the community beyond their Sim Rig setups, they are helping to spread the joy and excitement of Sim Racing.

It’s heartening to see how this fun activity is gaining recognition. Before long, we hope to hear many voices in the South African gaming community and beyond echoing the team’s beloved phrase, #WeArePace.

To find out more about the team, head over to the GTSA Website, where you can access their various social media channels.

Blogpost by Murray Stalker