A Canberra teenager is set to test himself against Supercars champions Jamie Whincup and Scott McLaughlin without leaving the comfort of his home.
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Super2 rookie Josh Fife will make his debut in the Supercars All Star eSeries on Wednesday night, becoming the seventh driver from the second-tier series to enter the virtual competition.
The 19-year-old Canberra product received a wildcard to race in the sixth round of the series, which will be held at Circuit of the Americas.
He'll be racing against F1 driver Lando Norris as well as Whincup and McLaughlin, who is leading the competition by 74 points.
"It's my first virtual race and I haven't done much of it before. So it's a big learning curve but I'm really looking forward to it," Fife said.
"Racing virtually will be quite different, but it's still a similar feeling. The feeling is only through the steering wheel of the simulator, rather than going through the whole car.
"It's an awesome idea to have the eSeries and it gives us a chance to verse people like Whincup and McLaughlin.
"I've looked up to all the F1 drivers and I've followed Supercars series since I was a little kid, so to race one is really cool. Hopefully I'll be able to mix in with them."
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Supercars legend Craig Lowdnes is also slated to make his debut on the virtual Texan track, while three-time Bathurst 1000 winner Garth Tander has been confirmed for a wildcard start.
Fife, an Australian karting champion, has had a simulator for two years and used it to learn tracks for Supercars racing.
He stepped up to the second-tier series this year after recording multiple race wins in the 2019 Super3 series.
He placed 11th, ninth and a retirement during is maiden Super2 event at the Adelaide 500 in February.
"It was huge. It was my first street circuit so that was a big learning curve and to race people who are good enough to be in the Supercars champion was very cool," Fife said.
"My last race was really good despite being taken out. I had good pace, was making good passes and moving up the field, so it was good to know I could do that."
Fife was using this season as a learning experience on the Supercar circuit after transitioning from kart racing last year.
He linked up with Albury-based Brad Jones Racing and has been driving a Commodore V8 Supercar, formerly raced by Jason Richards.
"It's been a big transition to cars but it's really cool," Fife said.
"I used to be in the kart nearly every weekend either practising or racing, but cars are a lot different. You're only in the car once every month or two.
"You have to learn as quickly as possible and those test days are really valuable. Hopefully the series can start back soon."
Fife had planned to race in all six rounds of the Super2 Series this year until the coronavirus pandemic brought the competition to a halt.
The Supercars Series has been postponed until at least June 6, but Fife is unsure when the second tier competition will resume.
A decision is yet to be made on the Winton Super400 race scheduled for that weekend, while an annoucement on the Townsville 400 is expected to be made by May 15.