In a significant move for both Serbian esports and motorsport, Lorgar has established itself as the official sponsor of Serbia’s Evolution Racing team. The partnership was unveiled as the team represented their nation at the prestigious FIA Motorsport Games 2024 in Valencia, Spain, marking a new chapter in Serbian sim racing.
This year’s tournament set a new record for esports participation at the FIA Motorsport Games, bringing together an impressive field of 117 drivers from 70 countries. The Serbian national team, proudly supported by Lorgar, fielded two talented drivers: Vukašin Peković in the F4 category and Aleksandar Čeliković in GT3. Despite fierce competition, Peković secured a commendable 17th place among 63 participants in the F4 finals, while Čeliković faced technical challenges in the GT3 category.
Following this landmark event, we sat down with the team members to get an inside look at their experience at one of sim racing’s most prestigious competitions. Here’s what we learned from our conversations with the team.
The road to Valencia demanded extraordinary dedication from the Serbian team. Alexander Čeliković, competing in the Esports GT category, revealed the intensity of his preparation: “I did around 2,000 laps on the Ricardo Tormo track, both virtually and in real life. I trained four to six hours every day in the simulator. It was so intense that I lost eight kilograms because I was also training in the gym while managing work and personal life.”
Behind every successful driver stands a dedicated support team. Nikola, the delegation team lead coach, emphasized their crucial role: “We handle everything outside of driving to let Alexander and Vukašin focus solely on racing. This includes managing logistics, competitor analysis, and even simple things like making sure they know where to sit or what to eat.”
The team’s preparation extended beyond just practice laps. “We monitor other drivers and give Alexander information during breaks,” Nikola explained. “Like, ‘This guy is a hazard, so be cautious,’ or, ‘This competitor is using a certain strategy, so here’s how to counter it.’ We filter out unnecessary details to keep his mind focused only on what’s essential for the race.”
One of the unique challenges faced by sim racers is adapting to different equipment. Alexander shared his experience: “When we went to Valencia, I had been training on Simagic equipment, but at the event, we had to use different pedals. The new setup wasn’t as precise as my setup at home, and I struggled to get the same feeling for an entire day.”
The Evolution Racing team’s approach to mental preparation stands out. “From the moment we know we’re going to a big competition, we start building this energy and belief that we’re going to win,” Nikola revealed. “We create an atmosphere where we all say, ‘We’re going to take first place. We’re going to win, no matter who the competition is or what challenges we face.'”
The event highlighted both the growth of sim racing and the challenges it faces. “The promotion and financial support need to be improved significantly,” Nikola noted. “Right now, there are so many talented drivers who simply don’t have the resources or backing to reach their full potential.”
Despite these challenges, the Serbian team’s performance at the FIA Motorsport Games 2024 demonstrated the rising potential of sim racing in the country. Their dedication and professionalism showcase why we at Lorgar are proud to support these talented athletes as they compete at the highest level of sim racing.
The event not only showcased the competitive spirit of sim racing but also highlighted its potential as a pathway to professional motorsports. As the sport continues to grow, the collaboration between teams and sponsors will play an increasingly important role in developing the next generation of racing talent.
