Atlanta, Aug. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Porsche Cars North America today announced the top 16 qualifiers for the Grand Final of the 2023 Porsche Esports Challenge USA. The Grand Final will take place in the Bose Esports Arena during Rennsport Reunion 7 at the legendary WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on September 30, 2023.
“These talented gamers have proven their skills and dedication, earning their spot in the upcoming finals,” said Ayesha Coker, Vice President of Marketing, Porsche Cars North America. “We can’t wait to welcome and cheer them on at the largest gathering of Porsche fans in the world.”
Throughout June and July, over 36,000 people across the United States competed in qualifying rounds held in-game in Gran Turismo™ 7, and offline at the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles, Porsche Experience Center Atlanta, and four U.S. Porsche Centers.
The 16 qualifiers are as follows:
- Denis Vandell, 30, Gainesville, Georgia
- Payton May, 26, Henagar, Alabama
- Timothy Bettencourt, 20, Atwater, California
- Daniel Solis, 27, Tacoma, Washington
- Kevan Pounder, 30, Englewood, New Jersey
- Robert Heck, 23, California City, California
- Randall Haywood, 22, Forrest Park, Illinois
- Tyler Limsnukan, 18, Cerritos, California
- Andrew McCabe, 26, Potomac, Maryland
- Dean Helt, 21, Reno, Nevada
- Cyrus Cross, 38, Beaverton, Oregon
- Zach Niederstadt, 22, Oak Point, Texas
- Anna Giro, 22, Austin, Texas
- Donavan Parker, 22, Fruit Cove, Florida
- Jeff Werts, 32, Locus Grove, Virginia
- Armando Rolon Rivera, 21, Cruz Toa Alta, Puerto Rico
Notable from the list above is the 2022 Porsche Esports Challenge USA winner Randall Haywood, and runner-ups Andrew McCabe and Dean Helt.
The 16 finalists will compete to win their share of the $30,000 prize pool, with other driving experiences and prizes up for grabs. Most notably, the top three winners will each receive a TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Porsche Edition Watch.
The Porsche Esports Challenge USA is now in its second year, after crowning the inaugural champion at Sports Car Together Fest at Indianapolis in 2022.
For Rennsport Reunion 7 tickets and information, please click here.
About Gran Turismo™
Gran Turismo™ is a video game developed by Polyphony Digital Inc., a subsidiary of Sony Interactive Entertainment Inc. Having launched in Japan first in 1997, the multi-award-winning franchise is regarded as the best and most authentic driving simulator due to true-to-life graphics, authentic physics technology and careful attention to detail. Polyphony and its famed creator Kazunori Yamauchi have revolutionized the racing game genre.
About Porsche Cars North America, Inc. | One Porsche Drive, Atlanta, GA 30354 USA
Established in 1984, Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA) is the exclusive U.S. importer of the Porsche 911, 718 Boxster, 718 Cayman, Macan, Cayenne, Panamera and Taycan. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, since 1998, PCNA is home to the first Porsche Experience Center in North America, which features two module-based 1.6 mile driver development tracks, a business center and Restaurant 356. The campus is also home to the U.S. headquarters of Porsche Classic. The company operates a second Porsche Experience Center near Los Angeles. That complex features a driver development track with eight educational modules totaling 4.1 miles, a business center, Restaurant 917 and the headquarters of Porsche Motorsport North America. PCNA supports 197 independently owned and operated Porsche centers, two Porsche studios and three satellite stores in the U.S., including supplying parts, service, marketing, and training. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers with a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the Porsche brand's 75-year history of leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety, and efficiency. PCNA is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany.
At the core of this success is Porsche's proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000-plus motorsport wins to date.
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Attachments
- Sixteen gamers qualify for finals of the 2023 Porsche Esports Challenge USA
- Sixteen gamers qualify for finals of the 2023 Porsche Esports Challenge USA
Jennifer Bixler Porsche Cars North America, Inc. 470-827-1201 external.jennifer.bixler@porsche.us Jarred Hopkins Porsche Cars North America, Inc. 404-401-4448 jarred.hopkins@porsche.us
