Australia dominates Tri-Nations Cup
Australia has walked away victorious in the 2023 Next Level Racing Tri-Nations Esports Cup, after a dominating all-round team performance in what was an incredible opportunity for young aspiring Esports competitors to represent their country on the international stage.
With 30 drivers from Australia, New Zealand and England taking part in the ultimate head-to-head challenge, the 10 Australian representatives went on to produce consistent top 10 finishes across both of the event’s two races and eventually dominate the overall points tally.
A total of 28 competitors took part in the event, with each partaking in two 30-minute races at the iconic Bathurst and Silverstone respectively – competing behind the wheel of a fixed Ferrari 488 GT3 EVO, decorated in their nation's colours.
Queenslander, Steen Ledger led the Aussie charge in race one at Mount Panorama with a second-place finish behind the UK’s Matt Caruana, while the Victorian-raised Dylan O’Shea occupied the final step on the podium.
Despite not taking out the win, Australian competitors compiled nine of the top 15 placings for a grand total of 124 points to the nation’s total score.
An exciting race two at Silverstone then saw Caruana make it back-to-back victories for the UK, with Aussie Kalen Chin improving on a 10th place finish in race one to take second place ahead of Ledger – who claimed his second straight podium finish.
With another seven Australian drivers claiming points in the second race, it brought the grand total to 224 points – a whopping 129 points clear of the second place New Zealand, while the UK finished on a total of 63 points.
Although Australia was crowned the well-deserved Tri-Nations Cup, it was Caruana who took out overall top honours from an individual standpoint, as he was rewarded a Next Level Racing Elite Lite Wheel Plate Edition with a Next Level Racing ES1 Elite Seat worth almost $2000 AUD.
Each regional winner also walked away with a Next Level Racing GT Track Simulator, with Ledger leading the way for Australia, while Ewan Baker took top honours for New Zealand and of course Caruana for the UK.
Not only did Baker walk away with the track simulator, but he was also awarded with a Haptic Feedback Gaming Chair after being voted the driver of the day.
With the event being a resounding success with some brilliant racing from all three nations, Australia will look to go back-to-back in the 2024 edition next year.