Even though sporting events were put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, racing still found a way to thrive. Digital Motorsports - more commonly known as sim racing - has become a popular activity in the Philippines. This growing pastime consists of racing virtually and online using a computer or gaming console. Its mainstream popularity was sparked by the 2015 Nissan GT Academy, which saw Filipino Jose Gerard Policarpio crowned as the Asian Champion, competing against players from Japan, Thailand, and the rest of Asia. The sport — and it is a sport — that has only grown since.
The pandemic, and the lockdowns that came with it, led to a boom in e-sports as a whole and sim racing in particular. With motorsport events all but nonexistent over the past year, racing enthusiasts turned to virtual racing to satisfy their craving for fast paced competition.