Guernsey racing driver takes to virtual tarmac in online debut

Guernsey driver Sebastian Priaulx swapped real-world racing for virtual competition at the weekend, taking on top professionals on an online version of a famous Florida circuit.

With sport across the world on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, the IMSA staged a 90-minute race on the iRacing platform, to replace the postponed 12-hour event at Sebring.

Priaulx, representing his team Multimatic Motorsports, took to his home simulator to compete against 49 other drivers, including a host of championship winners.

A winner on his real-world US debut last year, Priaulx was not able to repeat the trick in his front room.

Having qualified in seventh place, he was running as high as fifth in the early stages but was knocked out of contention after suffering contact in his virtual Ford GT.

The live stream of the race, one of several virtual motorsport events broadcast across the weekend, has attracted more than 70,000 views.

• WATCH: Guernsey's Sebastian Priaulx on his first e-sports outing...