Gregg takes on e-sports for charity

Local race driver Kyle Gregg will be competing in the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Sprint Trophy Latin America tomorrow.

Gregg says his preparation ahead of the event has been “intensive”, especially because he is playing for charity.

“From the moment I heard about the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Sprint Trophy Latin America and the idea of donating the prizes to those affected by the coronavirus, I jumped at the opportunity to participate,” Gregg said. “Luckily, I was able to win a place in the qualifying round that we ran on May 28 at the Barcelona circuit.

“My dream is to get first place so that the US$5,000 (J$698,000) grand prize goes to the Helping Hands Jamaica Foundation, an organisation that has helped numerous children in need in Jamaica.”

RACING FAMILY

Gregg has grown up with the love of racing in his blood and has been fuelled by his family’s familiarity with the racing track.

“Both my father and mom raced,” he said. “My mom used to race go-karts, and my father is a multi-Dover champion and a past rally champion, so I’m basically following in their footsteps,” he said.

Under his belt, Gregg has competed and won national and regional titles as a three-time Dover raceway winner, a three-time Rally Jamaica champion, and a Rally Trinidad winner in 2019. Additionally, he is the 2017 and 2018 Circuit champion, 2018 Thundersport Class Two (TS2) victor, 2018 Heroes of Speed champion; 2018 Rally Jamaica champion; and Eon RjR Motorsports Jamaica’s 2017 Athlete of the Year.

Gregg says he is nervous about this e-sports event as this is the first time he will be competing as a simulation racer. However, he says he is excited because it presents a new challenge for him.

“This is the first of its kind for me, and these competing drivers are professional racers who have dedicated their lives to virtual racing,” he said. “However, it is a privilege to race for Jamaica and my ATL Automotive family with the hopes of racing for charity, and all in all, I’m excited.”

The Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Sprint Trophy Latin America will be contested at the same circuit where the 24 Hours of Le Mans is being held. The 14 drivers will do 12 laps of the 13 kilometres and 626 metres of the Circuit de la Sarthe with their Porsche 911 RSR.

Gregg says being able to use this car is a “real treat”.

“It’s a car that offers a lot of power, stability, and great performance when it enters the track,” he said. “I’m also excited to race it on the iconic Le Mans track in France, which is difficult and demanding, but I know I will be.”

Gregg, who races under the PlayStation handle of his popular nickname, ‘SpeedyGregg’, will drive car number 404. The race takes place at 6 p.m. and will be broadcast live on porschevirtualracing.com.