The Fanatec Eifel Trophy enters its next stage on October 8, with the first iRacing qualifier race deciding who will secure the opening five places in the grand final.
Following the Time Attack hotlap phase, which closed on October 4, the competition now moves to racing at the Nürburgring. Organized with SimGrid, the Eifel Trophy offers separate routes through iRacing and Assetto Corsa EVO, with both competitions concluding on December 19.
The top 25 eligible drivers from the Time Attack leaderboard will be invited to the first qualifier race. The top five finishers advance directly to the grand final, while the remaining 20 move into the next qualifier.
Five more drivers are then invited from the original Time Attack leaderboard, restoring the qualifying grid to 25. This process repeats across five races, with five grand final places awarded each time.
Drivers who have qualified for the final leave the qualifying races, opening opportunities for the next competitors on the leaderboard. By the end of the fifth race, the complete 25-driver grand final grid will be confirmed.
For those who entered the hotlap phase, a place outside the initial top 25 can therefore still lead to a race invitation as the competition progresses. Drivers returning after an unsuccessful attempt will also have another opportunity to earn their place.
The iRacing qualifier schedule runs through early December:
The grand final takes place on December 19. Each qualifier awards the same number of places, giving returning drivers and newly invited competitors a clear target: finish in the top five.
The Assetto Corsa EVO qualifiers return on Monday, October 12, for the third qualifying week. The competition features six qualifying weeks, with the top three drivers from each week progressing to its grand final. A special qualifying event on December 5 and 6 will decide the remaining six places, completing a 24-driver field.
Both competitions offer Fanatec prizes, including hardware, steering wheels signed by Black Falcon drivers, and store credit for the leading finishers.
Visit the Fanatec Eifel Trophy website for event information, schedules, and full competition details as the road to the December finals continues.
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