On August 15, 2024, the United States Esports Federation (USEF.GG) and Init Esports announced an exciting partnership to provide U.S. sim racers with a pathway to global competition. This initiative took shape with the Assetto Corsa Competizione National Qualifiers, held from September 15 to 21, featuring two competitions—one exclusively for women and another open to all racers.
The qualifiers reached a dramatic conclusion on September 21, with Elizabeth Ruby Acosta and Zach Doran etching their names into history as the first-ever sim racers to secure USEF.GG seats at the Circuit of the Americas. This milestone marks the beginning of the federation’s mission to build a powerhouse roster of U.S. drivers for global esports competitions, including the Global Esports Games 2024.
Doran’s Comeback Victory Seals His Spot
With only four points separating the top three in the men’s category, Zach Doran emerged victorious after a heated two-race battle. Michael Moening dominated the first race, winning by ten seconds, but Doran kept the pressure on, finishing second and setting up a tense final showdown. In race two, Doran capitalized on first-corner chaos, avoided contact, and stormed to victory, securing his USEF.GG seat by just three points over Moening.
Acosta’s Determination Leads to Victory
In the women’s category, Elizabeth Ruby Acosta showcased incredible speed and consistency, finishing first in class and fifth overall in race one—an astonishing twenty seconds ahead of her closest rival. In race two, she stepped up even further, finishing second overall and securing the gold, ten points ahead of Emma Galasso and eleven over Garnet Addams. Acosta’s determination was clear in her emotional post-race interview:
“I didn’t just want to settle for first in the women’s category. I wanted to do the best I could—and I guess I achieved that!”
Galasso and Addams put up a thrilling fight, battling wheel-to-wheel in both races, proving the depth of talent in the women’s field.
A New Era for U.S. Sim Racing
With Doran and Acosta leading the charge, USEF.GG and Init Esports are shaping a new era for sim racing in the United States. The federation’s goal is clear: to build a team of elite drivers capable of competing on the world stage.
For those who missed the action, you can catch the race VOD on Init Esports’ Twitch channel. Stay tuned for more updates as the U.S. sim racing team prepares to take on the world!