MSA Esports has wrapped up the 2026 season, with another year of competitive sim racing across the National F4, National GT3 and LNR Championship ACC GT3 categories.
The season produced close racing throughout the year, with several championships going down to the final stages. MSA Esports would like to thank all the drivers and teams who took part, as well as LNR, the MSA Esports Stewarding Team, MSA Esports Admin and MSA Admin for their work behind the scenes.
2026 CHAMPIONSHIPS
Justin Eloff claimed the 2026 MSA National F4 Championship, with Shivesh Bissoon finishing second and Cameron De Bastos taking third. The F4 championship produced plenty of close, wheel-to-wheel racing throughout the season, with the title battle remaining competitive right through to the final rounds.
The 2026 MSA National GT3 Championship featured one of the biggest and most competitive fields of the season, with the championship only decided on the second-last lap. Johan Van Der Merwe took the title, with Essie Esterhuyse finishing second and Noor Hendricks completing the podium in third.
In the LNR Championship ACC GT3 Pro Class, Juan Shanahan claimed the championship, followed by Shane Coetzer in second and Dean Coetzer in third. The Pro-Am title went to Frans Stofberg, with Jozua Rossouw finishing second and Andre Jordaan third.
While the console season had its challenges, the commitment from the drivers and teams remained clear throughout the year.
DRIVER FEEDBACK SHAPES 2027
Following the season, MSA Esports asked drivers and teams for their feedback on the championships and what they would like to see changed for 2027.
One of the main topics was the MSA Esports licence fee. With the cost of living continuing to put pressure on families, there will be no increase to the MSA Esports licence fee for 2027.
Drivers also asked for more championship rounds while having the option to drop a result if they were unable to compete in one round. As a result, championships will increase from six to eight rounds in 2027, with one drop round included in each championship.
The iRacing GT3 championship will also see changes. The fixed setup format used during 2026 provided a good starting point, but changes made by iRacing during the year affected the balance between the different cars.
MSA Esports will therefore move towards open setups, with a 65% fuel restriction being introduced. This will add a strategic element to the races and allow weather conditions to play a bigger role.
The format will also change from two heats to a single one-hour race, with one fast repair available.
The future of the console championship is also being discussed between MSA Esports and LNR. The aim is to find a format and platform that can help grow console participation while ensuring enough starters to make the championship viable. Different options are being considered, with further details to be announced once the way forward has been finalised.
WHAT’S COMING IN 2027
Alongside the main championships, MSA Esports will introduce a number of new and returning events during 2027.
The Virtual Simola Hillclimb will return, with Simola Hillclimb partnering with MSA Esports for an official virtual event featuring both Classics and King of the Hill. The event will get underway in February on Assetto Corsa, with the race weekend planned for early March.
The Africa Sim Racing Festival will also return in early April, bringing drivers from across Africa together to compete across different platforms and racing disciplines while representing their countries. For 2027, the event is being planned over two days, giving organisers more room for the various competitions and potentially allowing for a mini endurance race.
The MSA Esports National GT3 Championship will return, with the track selection being finalised using circuits from Seasons 1 to 4 of the 2026 championship. With 12 tracks used during each season, there is a wide selection available, with the final calendar to be announced ahead of the new season.
The MSA Esports National F4 Championship will also return, with fixed setups remaining in place to keep the championship accessible to newcomers. Heat racing will continue as part of the format.
A new discipline will join the calendar with the introduction of the MSA Esports Cross Car Championship. The championship follows work with the loose-surface racing community in South Africa and will bring a different style of racing to the MSA Esports programme. The Cross Car and planned tracks are free on iRacing, helping to keep the cost of entry down, while fixed setups will put the focus on driving and racecraft.
MSA Esports will also assess the possibility of introducing an endurance event during 2027. The level of interest from drivers and teams will help determine whether an event is viable. If Kyalami becomes available on iRacing, MSA Esports will also investigate the possibility of using the circuit for an endurance race.
With the 2026 season now complete, preparations are underway for the year ahead. The 2027 programme will feature returning championships, changes based on driver feedback and new events designed to give the MSA Esports community more opportunities to compete.
Further information, including the 2027 calendar and championship regulations, will be released as plans are finalised.