Eleven of the world’s fastest gamers are gearing up for the fourth and final round of the 2023 MotoGP™ eSport’s Global Series, which starts this week on Saturday November 11th at 15:30 (GMT +1).
The speedy Termas de Rio Hondo Circuit is the venue for the fourth and final Sprint of the year, before Malaysia’s varied Sepang International Circuit and the USA’s Circuit of the Americas host race 1 and 2 respectively.
As the excitement builds for this year’s MotoGP™ eSport final, here are guides for all three circuits in Round 4:
Termas de Rio Hondo Circuit
MotoGP ™ returned to Argentina in 2014 after a long 15-year break, with the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in the northern province of Santiago del Estero becoming the host venue for the Gran Premio de la Republica Argentina - a race that had previously been held in Buenos Aires.
Tyre conservation and high corner speed are vital here, as witnessed on the exit of Turn 1, Turns 3 and 4, which lead onto the back straight, Turn 6 and Turn 11, where the rear tyre is punished at high speeds like few other tracks.
It’s also a layout that puts the gamer’s braking ability to the test: Turn 1, 5 and 7 all require expert stopping ability, and are hotspots for overtaking.
Then there is the track’s spectacular final third. Big time can be gained through the left-right flick of Turns 9 and 10, while the ability to seek out the fastest possible line when trail braking through Turn 12 and into 13 is another way to find a few extra tenths of a second.
Overall, it’s a fast, flowing layout that puts most aspects of a gamer’s ability to the test!
Sepang International Circuit
In terms of weather, there are few challenges like it. The Malaysian Grand Prix often takes place in temperatures exceeding 30 degrees and humidity of 55 percent. Riders talk of this being the most physically demanding challenge of the year. On track finding adequate rear traction is therefore a priority.
The 5.5-kilometre Sepang International Circuit serves up a great deal of variety. Be it the awesome turn three, or the downhill turn five, there is plenty of fast bends to excite. But a smattering of heavy-braking hairpins is thrown in, to ensure a compromise is needed in terms of bike set-up.
Another unique facet of the track is its width. At 16 metres wide, an array of lines is available, particularly though the faster bends. It also means should a rider miss a braking marker, there is adequate space to recover.
Circuit of the Americas
Grand Prix racing in the US has a long history at legendary tracks such as Daytona, Laguna Seca and Indianapolis. In 2013, the impressive new Hermann Tilke-designed 5.513 km Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, joined the MotoGP™ calendar and become an instant hit - with its cutting edge facilities and a capacity for 120,000 fans.
The US has a fantastic motorcycling heritage - with great champions such as Kenny Roberts, Freddie Spencer, Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey and Kevin Schwantz being amongst the best riders to have ever competed in Grand Prix racing.
And this track would offer even those particular legends some food for thought. The Circuit Of The Americas is the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the U.S. near Austin, Texas, with a 5.513km track and a capacity for 120,000 fans. Construction of the impressive 1000-acre facility was completed late in 2012, with MotoGP lining up at the track for the first time in 2013.
One of its more distinctive features is near 41m-elevation change with an impressive incline at the end of the home-straight followed by a sharp left. The circuit is one of the most varied on the GP circuit, with a mix of fast straights and tight hairpins, with most sections mirroring at least some part of a famous track around the world.
Accuracy is the name of the game at this track, as well as decent bike set-up, as the varied turns demand a machine that works well in all types of corners.
