Fanatec and Black Falcon have launched the Fanatec Eifel Trophy, a new sim racing competition combining iRacing and Assetto Corsa EVO around Porsche Cup racing at the Nürburgring. The championship is now live, with the iRacing Hotlap Qualifier opening on September 14 and Assetto Corsa EVO races already running on PC. Drivers will compete through different formats for a chance to reach the final stages and claim Fanatec hardware, signed steering wheels and store credit.
The competition brings together two of the most important current PC racing simulators under the same Fanatec x Black Falcon programme. While both sides revolve around Porsche Cup machinery and the Nürburgring, the qualification and race structures are different depending on the simulator. Registration and the complete competition structure are available through the official Fanatec Eifel Trophy website.
iRacing Hotlap Qualifier Runs Until October 4
The iRacing side begins with a three-week Hotlap Qualifier running from September 14 until October 4, 2026. Drivers use the Porsche 911 Cup (992.2) and must search for the Fanatec challenge inside the Time Attack section of the official iRacing launcher. The objective is straightforward: set the fastest possible lap and finish among the top 25 eligible drivers.
Those 25 drivers will progress to the second stage, where Fanatec and Black Falcon will run a bi-weekly competition phase. The top five drivers from each race will qualify for the Grand Final, with already-qualified competitors replaced by the next eligible drivers from the original hotlap ranking. The final showdown is scheduled for November and will determine the overall champion.
Competitors must be at least 16 years old and need an active iRacing subscription along with the required Porsche Cup and Nürburgring Nordschleife Combined content. Both wheel-and-pedal setups and gamepads are permitted, so Fanatec hardware is not mandatory to enter. Drivers must also record telemetry and replays from official qualifying, knockout and Grand Final sessions in case organizers request them for verification.
Assetto Corsa EVO Uses Short Nürburgring Races
Assetto Corsa EVO uses a more immediate race-based format rather than the extended iRacing hotlap qualification. Current sessions take place on the Nürburgring 24h layout with Porsche Cup machinery and feature five minutes of practice, eight minutes of qualifying and a three-lap race. The championship runs on PC, with registration opening four hours before each session and closing five minutes before the start.
Points are based on finishing position but are also adjusted according to the strength of field of each race. The baseline awards 50 points for victory, 36 for second and 30 for third, with points continuing through the field. That system means stronger grids can influence the final value of a result rather than every race being treated identically.
Fanatec Hardware and Store Credit Up for Grabs
Fanatec has also attached a substantial hardware prize pool to the Eifel Trophy. First place receives a CSL Cockpit V1.5 or equivalent Fanatec store credit together with a Podium Steering Wheel GT3 Endurance signed by Black Falcon drivers. Second place receives a signed ClubSport Steering Wheel GT3 plus €250 in Fanatec credit, while third receives a signed CSL Steering Wheel GT3 and €125 credit.
Drivers finishing from fourth through eighth are listed for €50 Fanatec store vouchers. The combination of physical hardware, signed equipment and store credit gives the inaugural competition more than just championship points to race for. Fanatec has positioned the Eifel Trophy as an opportunity for both established sim racers and emerging drivers to earn a place in its first season.
The Fanatec Eifel Trophy is already underway as of September 14, with iRacing drivers able to begin setting qualifying laps and Assetto Corsa EVO players able to enter scheduled Nürburgring races. With Porsche Cup machinery, two different simulators and a Grand Final planned for November, the new championship gives Fanatec another direct connection between its hardware ecosystem and competitive sim racing.
See you on the track!
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