From Esports to the TCRC: The Journey from Virtual to Real
In line with the rapid growth esports has enjoyed in recent years, Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport (BOM) launched the BOM E-Team GT Cup in 2018 under the slogan "The road from virtual to real". Now, as a result of that competition, the team has chosen the first driver it will prepare for the circuits.
Four young participants, selected for their performances during the BOM Academy Performance Driving Training attended by the 20 finalists of the Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport (BOM) E-Team GT Cup, met real racing cars for the first time. The candidates gathered at the Izmit Körfez Circuit to receive motorsport training under the guidance of BOM's experienced drivers, and also competed against each other for a start in one of the rounds of the 2019 Turkish Circuit Racing Championship. Kaan Kalkavan, Tunca Gönüldaş, Mertcan Solak and Ufuk Baba, the young driver candidates, took to the track at the wheel of the BMW M4 GT4 that the team will race in this year's GT4 European Series, enjoying an unforgettable experience on the test day. The name chosen on the road from virtual to real was also decided by the team management. Following a detailed review that took all of their performances to date into account, Tunca Gönüldaş earned his place in the BOM line-up.
"We took them from the virtual world to real race tracks"
İbrahim Okyay said that BOM had passed an important stage in the "The road from virtual to real" project, which was launched to steer young people towards motorsport. "We are proud to have chosen our first driver in this project, in which we have taken talented young people with a passion for motorsport from the virtual world to real race tracks. I wholeheartedly believe that Tunca Gönüldaş, who will represent our team in the Turkish Circuit Racing Championship, will be successful," he said.
The training sessions held at the Izmit Körfez Circuit began with theoretical instruction, in which BOM's national driver İbrahim Okyay, who has 26 years of racing experience, and BOM Team Manager Ahmet Köseleci passed on the basic knowledge needed to become a racing driver. BOM driver Levent Kocabıyık also shared his motorsport experience with the participants. The drivers then took to the track in Caterham racing cars and, after racing line training, had the chance to sit in the passenger seat alongside İbrahim Okyay.
"My dreams have come true"
Tunca Gönüldaş will return to training at a test day to be organised at the circuit before the car he will race with the support of Borusan Otomotiv Motorsport is delivered to him. He commented: "This is a very important event held in our country, and there is nothing else like it. I am delighted to have had the chance to take part. This opportunity means my dreams are coming true, and I will try to make the most of it."
