Bahrain-based TIG Holding and UK-based motorsport agency MPA Creative along with McLaren Esports have announced a partnership to bring esports competitions to the Bahrain Arabic region.
The partnership will work to promote esports across the Gulf region through the Shadow Project tournament series for Forza Motorsport, Real Racing 3, iRacing, and rFactor 2. Competition in the Shadow Project will culminate in giving competitors the opportunity to play in the worldwide finals at the headquarters in Woking, UK in January with the winner joining the McLaren esports team.
The announcement states the program will be built on three components: a competition to identify talent, consumer engagement, and road and driver safety.
Ben Payne, Director of Esports at McLaren said: “This is a hugely exciting extension of the Shadow Project and we are delighted to be able to announce this partnership with TIG Holdings to engage with esports fans and competitors across the GCC. As a company, McLaren has very close ties with the region and Bahrain in particular. To be able to welcome entrants from across the region and feature a GCC champion at our world finals is a real boost for the McLaren Shadow Project.”
Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Jumaan, Co-founder and Director of TIG Holdings also commented: “We are very excited to be able to announce this partnership. Motorsport is very popular in the region, and we are harnessing that passion for racing and all things automotive to deliver a competition with broad public appeal that creates a clear path to McLaren’s world finals while educating road users across the region on key driver awareness and safety messages.”
Esports Insider says: It’s always welcoming to see powerhouses partner together to support esports in less-popular regions. McLaren has made its name well known in esports especially in sim racing with the launch of the Shadow Project and its Formula One team.