Germany wins inaugural VCO Cup of Nations, presented by Acronis

Team Germany emerged as winners of the inaugural VCO Cup of Nations, presented by Acronis, set up to raise money in aid of UNICEF.

The Williams Esports backed tournament pitched countries of four drivers against one another with 10 different cars and tracks – from road racing, oval racing and dirt racing, and with the added catch of drivers only knowing which cars and circuits will be included on the morning of the event.

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦 🏆

Team Germany wins the 2020 VCO @CupofNationsSim presented by @Acronis! Congratulations! 👏

🥇 Team Germany (498pts) 🇩🇪
🥈 Team France (492pts) 🇫🇷
🥉 Team Italy (374pts) 🇮🇹@vcomotorsports @UNICEF @iRacing pic.twitter.com/IufPEZdUW7

— Cup of Nations (@CupofNationsSim) July 26, 2020

With the event streamed live on Facebook and YouTube, Sunday’s final came down to five teams competing for the jackpot of £4000, with Germany joined by France, Italy, UK, Spain and Chile.

And it was Team Germany’s drivers of Maximilian Benecke, Patrik Holzmann, Jonas Wallmeier and Alexander Thiebe who were able to just pip the French to the top prize, as Benecke saved his team with a final race victory that pipped the French by just six points, despite Holzmann and Thiebe managing just 10^th and 12^th.

“I am happy with this victory,” Benecke is quoted on automobilsport.com. “I normally drive GT cars but I was already familiar with the Formula 1 car that I won the final race in. It is fun to drive but I still can’t quite reach the top level in terms of speed, so the race remained thrilling right to the end.

Team 🇩🇪 and @maxbenecke11 celebrate their win. They are the World Team Champions of Esports racing! 🏆 🏆

📺 https://t.co/Af1BLGr1wo

🇩🇪🇪🇸🇮🇹🇬🇧🇨🇱🇫🇷#vcomotorsports #vcocupofnations @iRacing @Acronis @UNICEF @RaceSpotTV @CupofNationsSim pic.twitter.com/iJlJRYAlSp

— VCO 🕹🏎 (@vcomotorsports) July 26, 2020

“On the final laps, I tried to calculate whether we were far enough ahead in the overall standings. I thought we would be alright, so I didn’t feel too much pressure.”

Second place for France was enough to secure a £2500 cash pot, with third-placed Italy netting £1000 by narrowly beating the UK as Spain and Chile rounded out the top 5 of 16 competing countries at the outset.

We gave it our best shot but just fell short of the podium. Congrats to the Germans, French and Italians, well deserved!! 3 top 5s, 2 podiums and a win in the opener for me, so I can't be too disappointed with my own driving today. Good to be competitive against such competition! https://t.co/LXurPS4AVA

— Jamie Fluke (@JamieFluke) July 26, 2020