This time last year, Ford introduced the Focus RS Forza Motorsport Edition, a special edition version of the popular hot hatch that came with a flashy exterior body wrap that was designed by players of Forza Motorsport. Fast forward one year later and the Focus RS and Forza are once again headlining a news item together after it was announced that the Focus RS would be the top prize for the inaugural ESL Forza Racing Championship.
That’s right. If the $35,900 price for the actual car is a little too steep, gamers can try their luck at competing against a stiff field of top caliber video game racers. That’s what the Forza Racing Championship is offering.
The mechanics are relatively straight-forward, even for those who are not avid Forza racers. As long as the game is available to play, gamers will get the chance to compete in three Forza RC Elite Series Rivals Qualifiers event that will be held over the next three weeks. The top 128 players from any of the three qualifying weeks will move on that week’s series cup where the field will be cut down to the top 16 racers. Those who made the cut will move on to the weekly Elite Series Cup and the winners will make up the top four that will compete in the Grand Finals on September 4. That’s when the battle royal for the Focus RS ensues and whoever wins that race will be handed the keys to a brand spankin’ new 2017 Ford Focus RS.
Those who owned up on the losing end aren’t going home empty-handed either. Sure, they don’t get the Focus RS, but they do get some interesting prizes, including Xbox One S consoles, video game steering wheels from Logitech, and Elite controllers, among others. As an added bonus, everyone who participates in the series will also receive a liveried-out 1973 Ford Escort 1600 to play within the game.
Gamers who don’t think they’re up to stuff to win the Elite Series, they can take their talents to the ForzaRC Open Series League where they can match wits with players of different skill levels for a chance to win in-game content bonuses. It’s not exactly on the same level as a Ford Focus RS, but it’s something that’s still worth a humble brag or two.
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Why it matters
On paper, it sounds like a relatively easy competition to win. I mean, how hard could it be, right? Well, those are of that mindset are in for a rude awakening because if there’s anything these ESL tournaments have shown me, it’s that competition is of the highest level. Those who compete in these tournaments are serious about their craft and if you don’t bring your A-game, you’re going to be left in the dust faster than you can say “false start!”
That’s why I’m not going to even try my luck in it. Notwithstanding the lack of time in doing so, I don’t think I’m going to last very long in the first ESL Forza Racing Championships. I’ll be the first to admit that my skills in Forza, though incredible in my mind, probably isn’t up-to-par compared to those who literally make it their life’s work to be good in the game.
But hey, don’t let my concession dissuade any of you from trying. Registration is open to anyone so if you have the game and you have an ESL account, by all means, give it a go. Who knows, you might end up taking home a 2017 Ford Focus RS at the end of the day. Just be sure to read the terms and conditions before proceeding. I’ve taken a glance at it and nothing in there seems to be out of the ordinary.
In the event that any of you does decide to compete in the series, I wish all of you good luck and I hope you guys have an incredible time playing. Don’t bother looking for me though, but in the event that you do win the whole thing and take home the 2017 Ford Focus RS, give us a shout out. We’ll be more than happy to learn all about your glorious achievement.
Ford Focus RS
Read our full review on the Ford Focus RS here.