Virtual Racing Malta (VRM) is the only “virtual” online racing club in the Maltese Islands. Though virtual, VRM is made up of real members spread all over Malta and Gozo who meet on Thursdays to race online.

This is where virtuality plays its role as the majority of the club members own virtual cars and participate in a virtual racing championship spread over a number of races. Winners though, receive a real trophy!

Jeffrey Camilleri came up with the idea in 2006. Today this club boasts a good number of members, a website, a YouTube Channel, a Facebook page and of course a good number of sponsors without whom, it would be not possible to support the main event which is a prize giving ceremony held annually where the winners get their much deserved trophy and all the members get that unique chance to meet for real.

The game used, or rather driving simulator, is rFactor, one of the best available. Drivers have to be equipped with a racing wheel/pedal combination, in order to be able to compete in the championship. Every year the club opts for a particular type of car, which enables rookies to get the feeling of online racing, while pros can also have fun. The cars used till now are the Champcar (open wheeler), Renault Megane (touring series), BMW E21 (touring series), the FIAT X1/9 and for the next season it was decided to shift again to an open wheeler, the IZOD Indycar series.

Keith Camilleri won this year’s championship. Tough, very young, he seems to have racing in his blood, and no wonder as he is the son of Hubert Camilleri, champion in the local ‘real’ racing scene organized by the Island Car Club. Second place went to Robert Attard, a veteran of the club and a real life race car driver, while Brandon Petticrew, another emerging talent, secured third place.

www.virtualracingmalta.com