24h Le Mans
For the first time ever at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, gamers will chase victory in their own sim-racing finale held over race week! Here we present one of the teams competing in the event: Veloce Esports.
Veloce Esports is one of two teams invited to the Super Final of the Le Mans Esports Series. James Baldwin (Veloce_Jaaames), Noah Schmitz (Veloce_Virus) and David Kelly (Sauber_Dave) have formed a formidale trio. Despite limited preparation, due to late confirmation of their arrival, the gamers are determined to triumph.
An Esport competitor since 2017, James Baldwin is 21 years old and has been interested in motorsport since childhood, even competing in karting. His first racing game was Project Cars. "In 2018 and this year I moved onto a variety of games and sims, aiming to be the best 'multi-platform' driver in the world. These include Assetto Corsa, F1, GT Sport, and now Forza." His first contact with the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit was in Project Cars. "My first time playing on the Le Mans circuit would be back on Project Cars in 2017, and I was not very good! However I've made big improvements on the track over the last 2 years. Now it's one of my favourite tracks."
At age 19, Noah Schmitz is a Forza Motorsport 7 expert. He was a finalist in 2018 ForzaRC 2018 and presents himself, with his team, with clearn and attainable ambitions. He's already a professional driver and can talk about his experience managing traffic on the track, which he demonstrated with a bold overtaking at Silverstone during the 2018 ForzaRC.
A member of the Sauber Esports team, David Kelly is also a Forza Motorsport 7 specialist. "I've been playing racing games since I was born, or almost," jokes the 30-year-old. "I played the Gran Turismo series and I think that was my first game. Before that of course I played Mario Kart, and later Colin McRae Rally."
What does Kelly think of the 24 Hours circuit? "The circuit is wild. I don't know anything else like it. The combination of pure speed, power and noise is a great mix. I enjoy playing the virtual version. It's a long circuit, so I don't take it on often, but I like it. Le Mans seems easy at first glance, with long straights and few corners. But actually to be fast you have to work hard!"
PHOTO: LE MANS (SARTHE, FRANCE), CIRCUIT DES 24 HEURES DU MANS, 2019 LE MANS ESPORT SERIES. Professional, dedicated and energetic, can the Veloce Esports team win on Saturday?
