Robin Betka (bbbb0x), Mariano Rubalcava Ocana (Eternitum) and Cian Llewconn Butler (LSEM The Butler) all qualified at the fifth round of the Le Mans Esports Series held at Sebring. The German, the Mexican and the Australian have both youth and experience on their side! But does the MAD Motorsport  driver line-up, who take their name from the initials of Mexican, Australian and Deutsch, have what it takes?

ROBIN BETKA (BBBB0X)

Robin Betka (bbbb0x) is the most experienced of the trio. The 25-year-old German game first took an interest in esports with Forza Motorsport 2 in 2009, and took part in the World Cyber Games in 2010. Forza RC vice-champion in 2018, he is now a professional (for Red Bull Racing) and first discovered the 24 Hours of Le Mans circuit on a Playstation game. “That game was hard! I could never manage to unlock all the prototypes and really wanted to drive them all. I first came across the Toyota GT-One with that game, and became a big fan.”

For Robin, Le Mans is the ideal playground. “I love this circuit because there are so many chances to overtake. It’s an iconic track.” This all-rounder also plays the Formula One series from Codemasters, Gran Turismo, Assetto Corsa, Iracing, Project Cars, Automobilista, and more! He’s one sharp guy and firmly intends to make it to the top step of the podium.

MARIANO RUBALCAVA OCANA (ETERNITUM)

22-year-old Mexican Mariano Rubalcava Ocana (Eternitum) does not have the same esports experience, having only started out in 2018, but watch out! This Audi fan has some real circuit racing experience, having competed in kart races (Rotax) at national level since he was just 8 years old! Not only that: he has been playing the Forza Motorsport series of games since it first came out on Xbox. His first racing game? Project Gotham Racing!

 “With Forza Motorsport, I felt similar sensations to when I was driving for real, and I soon wanted to acquire some speed. That’s why I started taking parts in events in South America, and then in McLaren’s World’s Fastest Gamer competition. When the Le Mans Esports Series emerged, I decided to focus on esport and to go professional.” Mariano remembers spending hours and hours driving around the virtual Circuit de la Sarthe, usually at the wheel of an Audi R8, R10, R15 or R18. “On Forza Motorsport 3, I picked an Audi and took the time to complete some clean laps, to take in every detail. I loved it.” To prepare for the event, he built his own simulator, together with his dad, and is now ready to take on the best pros around!

CIAN LLEWCONN BUTLER (LSEM THE BUTLER)

Aged just 19, Cian already has plenty of esport experience. He is a member of the Light Speed Endurance Motorsports (LSEM) team and has focused on Forza Motorsport 7, but also competes in races on iRacing and Project Cars. Motorsport? For him, it’s a way of life! Cian is even following a motorsports course at Edith Cowan University.

Competing at Le Mans is symbolic for him. “With my friends, we used to drive down the Mulsanne Straight on Forza Motorsport (on Xbox 360), trying all the cars available to see who could go the fastest. More recently, I competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans organised by The Online Racing Association, and we finished third in class with our Corvette C7.R.” The Le Mans Esports Series final will be his very first appearance at a “live” event.