Like poker there are several versions of chess as sport with say 3m speed chess being a vary different game than a 3h game. My faverate being alternating rounds of chess and boxing. EX: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK5TQSKmS3o
You don't need motor skills for chess, but you do for e-sports. If racing is a sport, why is racing in a simulator not? The only difference is the lack of g-forces.
And the heat (racing cars become hot, to say nothing of the fireproof suit), the noise (they are very noisy) and the fact you are actually risking your life (or, at least, serious injury). The most damage Gran Turismo 4 can cause is an RSI...