The newest downloadable content for Nacon and KT Racing’s WRC 9 is now live. WRC 9’s new DLC is a bit different than what you’d expect from downloadable content. Most games will add new cosmetics, or new racers, or perhaps new tracks. Today’s WRC 9 DLC adds a new game mode… kind of. KT Racing has teamed up with the International Automobile Federation (the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, or FIA) to bring a unique opportunity to WRC 9 players. The opportunity to transfer from digital rally racer to actual rally racer.
The WRC 9 FIA Rally Star DLC
The FIA Rally Star DLC gives WRC 9 players access to 12 online trials as part of the FIA Rally Star program. In real life, the FIA Rally Star is a global talent program, which recruits and trains young drivers. Today’s partnership with KT Racing will let FIA recruit new racers from the comfort of their own homes. Drivers ages 17-26 will be able to enter these online trials, in which all racers will compete in the M-Sport Ford Fiesta Rally3. The winners of these twelve trials will qualify for one of six continental finals.
When all is said and done, the top 7 drivers (“including at least one woman,” the press release clarifies, suggesting that only men would qualify otherwise) will be rewarded. FIA Rally Star will enroll each of the 7 winners in an exclusive training and practice program. Eventually, this pipeline will lead to 2 seasons in the FIA Junior World Rally Championship.
WRC 9’s FIA Rally Star DLC is a unique spin on competitive racing in games. Many racing games have competitive circuits. Some racing programs, like iRacing, are designed to be as close to its offline counterparts as possible. In some cases, simulations like iRacing have played host to organizations like NASCAR as safe alternatives to gathering during a pandemic. WRC 9’s interest in pulling players through the simulation and into the career field is bold, at the very least.
What If I Don’t Want To Be A Rally Star?
As a DLC, though?
The FIA Rally Star DLC is available on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStations 4 & 5, and on the Epic Game Store for $9.99. It’s basically a ten dollar ticket to participate in the online trials. If you aren’t interested in eventually joining the FIA as a rally racer, this seems like an entirely skippable DLC. Still, this is a unique opportunity to live your dream that most other sports games just can’t offer.
If you just wanna experience WRC 9 casually (we recommend it!), you can buy it right now for $49.99 on the Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStations 4 & 5, and PC through the Epic Game Store.
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