HARRISBURG, PA (Oct. 16) — On Sept. 25 and 26, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) Esports Operations Manager Nick Sutton attended Redline, an esports event held in Richmond, VA, in collaboration with Shenandoah University and Richmond Raceway. The event brought together eight college Rocket League teams from across Virginia and eight high school Super Smash Bros. teams from Henrico County, VA, to compete at the center of Richmond Raceway’s NASCAR track.
In addition to the competition and iRacing time trials, the event offered a college fair and panels for high school attendees. Sutton represented HU at the college fair and spoke on a panel about college esports recruitment and helping students begin their esports-focused college search.
“After being invited to their inaugural Redline event this past Spring, I was itching to come back,” said Sutton. “Hosting the tournament at the center of an actual NASCAR track makes it a unique experience for competitors and attendees alike. The connection between motor sports and esports also inspired our new racing simulator, now in Stage2 at HU. NASCAR’s growing involvement in the collegiate space has been awesome to watch! With the eNASCAR College iRacing Series and events like Redline, I’m excited to see how the worlds of motorsports and esports continue to overlap.”
The HU Storm entered the world of sim racing this Fall with a new iRacing simulator in the Stage2 esports facility, adding an immersive new form of competition to The HU Storm esports program. The eNASCAR College iRacing Series runs on iRacing, with PlayVS as its exclusive partner. Student drivers compete against peers from across the country in an eight-race series that spans the academic year. This year, Donnavan Long ’27 will represent The HU Storm.
The simulator is built on a Trak Racer TR8 Pro V2 frame with a Moza R9 wheelbase, Moza CRP2 pedals, a top-of-the-line gaming PC, and a 49-inch, 240 Hz Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 monitor. With up to 9 Nm of torque and haptic feedback built into the frame and pedals, it gives student competitors a cutting-edge, realistic driving experience.
The Storm is also running Lightning Lap challenges, inviting students, staff, and faculty to test their speed and race to the top of the leaderboard for prizes. The first challenge wrapped up Oct. 14 and the second is now underway. Anyone in the HU community can book a time on the simulator with Sutton.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) is an independent, nonprofit university in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, offering degrees in advanced manufacturing, analytics, biotechnology, cybersecurity, nursing, and other STEM fields. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, HU serves a diverse student body through bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs that link research with practical application. Learn more at HarrisburgU.edu or contact us at Connect@HarrisburgU.edu or 717.901.5146 for more information about HU’s degree and professional development programs. Stay in the know by following Harrisburg University on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
MEDIA CONTACT
Do you have questions about this story? Interested in lining up an interview? Please contact Dan Wilhelm, director of communications, at DWilhelm@HarrisburgU.edu.
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