pHorum7 launches drive for greater inclusivity in sim racing

A new company has been established to support global initiatives to drive inclusivity and diversity in sim racing and esports. “pHorum7” (pH7) is made up of motorsport professionals whose collective experience covers decades, and who are driven by a desire to instil positive change.

The company recognises the challenges faced by so many wanting to break into seemingly impenetrable industries, while also seeing first-hand the need to open more opportunities for young people, regardless of their background.

As the spotlight on sim racing has intensified in recent years, so too has the need to address the all-important issues of equality, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion. pHorum7 exists to contribute to motorsport’s wider efforts in this area and to offer an open, accessible platform that showcases the power of esports and sim racing to tackle societal issues.

pHorum7’s team includes agency CEO Claire Ritchie-Tomkins, sportscar racer Johnny Mowlem, motorsport professional Gary Ekerold and sports broadcaster Louise Beckett.

“We are committed to driving change and to open up esports and sim racing to the widest audience possible,” says pHorum7 co-founder Claire Ritchie-Tomkins. “We offer a neutral space, accessible to all, from which we endeavour to drive positive change to tackle negative issues.”

First Among Equals – The Floor is Yours

An important part of pHorum7’s vision will be to host tournaments that are accessible for sim racers of all backgrounds, and to offer a safe, equal platform to compete. The first tournament, First Among Equals, will take place at the end of November with the chance for the winner to drive the Williams Advanced Engineering simulator. There will also be the potential for competitors who demonstrate the right talent and attributes to experience real-world racing with a Le Mans Prototype through pHorum7’s connection to Red River Sport, which is run by Johnny Mowlem.

Ritchie-Tomkins adds: “We all have a collective responsibility to play a part in making motorsport accessible for everybody, regardless of age, gender, race or background. We have a passionate team of people in pHorum7, and we are looking forward to working with likeminded people to offer an open, accessible platform from which to showcase the power of esports and sim racing to tackle these issues.”

Partnership with D-BOX

The new company is also partnering with D-BOX, the Canadian-based leader in immersive motion technologies for sim racing, esports and other applications, and the first and only haptic system to be officially endorsed by the FIA.

D-BOX Vice-President of Marketing and Communication, Stéphane Vidal, said: “We share are same values of diversity and inclusivity, and we look forward to working with pHorum7 on the First Among Equals tournament and other exciting initiatives that will open up the world of sim racing to wider audiences”

FIA Girls on Track

pHorum7 is also pleased to be joining the latest FIA Girls on Track UK webinar, as it seeks to open opportunities for women and girls to compete equally in esports and sim racing.

Ritchie-Tomkins will be joined by members of the wider pHorum7 team for the event on Tuesday 7 September at 18:30 BST. Hosted by up-and-coming motorsport presenter Steph Wentworth, the webinar is open to everyone interested in sim racing as well as the 4,000-strong FIA Girls on Track UK community.