At some point in our video game racing careers, most of us have probably wondered if our driving skills are up-to-par with actual race car drivers. I know I’ve had that thought in my years playing Gran Turismo. Well, for those who are determined to see that thought through, Ford is laying down a challenge to see if gamers really are as good as they say are. All they have to do is beat a lap time posted by a brand-new Ford Focus RS by driving their own Focus RS… in the world of Forza Motorsport 6.

The challenge is called “Tame the Track” and the objective of it is pretty straightforward. Chip Ganassi Racing driver Harry Tincknell will post an undisclosed lap time at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium. Contestants who show up at the Gamescom event in Belgium later this month will then have an opportunity to beat Tincknell’s lap time using a Focus RS in Forza Motorsport 6 and driving it in the virtual representation of the world-famous race track. Whoever ends up posting the fastest lap times will then be flown to the actual Spa-Francorchamps track where they’ll meet up with no less than Tincknell himself for an afternoon of fun times that include driving a real Focus RS around the race track. In addition to that, winners will also receive some sweet digs for their accomplishments, including a pair of Recaro seats and goodies courtesy of B&O Play. The “Tame the Track” challenge will be open from August 23 to August 25 at Gamescom. Those three days should be more than enough time for gamers to see if they’re as good as they say they are.

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Get those competitive juices flowing

This is one of those competitions that I’m very interested in joining, but unfortunately, the Belgium is a long way away from where I’m at. That said, I do hope that a lot of avid gamers take up Ford’s challenge and see whether or not they have what it takes to beat Harry Tincknell and his Ford Focus RS.

The reward of driving the Ford Focus RS on a race track is too big of an opportunity to pass up. And it’s not just about driving it on any track. We’re talking about Spa-Francorchamps here, arguably one of the most challenging race tracks in the world. I can imagine it now: the 350-horsepower Focus RS blasting through Eau Rouge in all its might. That’s the kind of opportunity that awaits those who take up Ford’s “Tame the Track” challenge and actually does well enough to get whisked off to the track.

And if you don’t measure up, it’s at least worth mentioning that Ford’s booth at Gamescom will also feature the actual Focus RS, as well as the Fiesta ST, and most desirable of them all, the Ford GT supercar.

References

Ford Focus RS

Read our full review on the 2016 Ford Focus RS.