INIT NEWSLETTER | New cars, bigger opportunities, and 10 million impressions

Screen to Speed Formula Vee

What has happened in the last few weeks at Init

The GR86 chapter of Screen to Speed Season 2 is complete; our NASCAR and Team America series have crossed the halfway mark, and new partnerships are creating more opportunities for our drivers. Here’s what’s happening across Init and why you’ll want to join us this Sunday.

Screen to Speed: GR86 battles set the stage for Formula Vee

Four rounds in the Toyota GR86 delivered plenty of action, with Sara Dove setting the benchmark and a competitive field keeping the pressure on.

Lime Rock brought a dramatic change of fortunes: Dove won the opening race, but trouble in the second allowed Lucia Tosi to seize the opportunity and take victory. At the GR86 finale at Thruxton, Jess Kirby claimed pole, while Tosi, Dove, Kirby, and Emma Dempsey fought at the front. Dempsey’s patience paid off in the second race, as she capitalized on the battle ahead through the final chicane to claim her first Screen to Speed win. Relive the Thruxton action.

Dove ends the first half atop the provisional season standings with 201 points. Behind her, Kirby has 124, just two ahead of Rebecca Lind on 122, with Dempsey on 116. Sophie Houffelaar, Kristina Ryan, and Jessica Weser are separated by only three points. There is plenty still to fight for. See the latest standings.

This Sunday, October 18, the second half begins at Oschersleben in the Formula Vee. A different car brings a fresh challenge: who will adapt fastest, and who will turn their open-wheel experience into a breakthrough?

The season prize takes our mission from screen to real-world driving: a funded place on Racing Women’s week-long Accelerator Course on Ice in Sweden in February 2027. It is an extraordinary opportunity to develop car control and performance-driving skills beyond the simulator. Explore the Racing Women partnership.

Watch Sunday at noon Pacific / 3 p.m. Eastern: join the scheduled YouTube broadcast or watch on Init’s Twitch. Our broadcast network also includes Roku’s Esports Edge channel and eClutch. Bring a friend and support the grid!

25 countries - and a global stage ahead

Drivers from 25 countries have participated in Screen to Speed. That international community is now part of an exciting next chapter, as Global Esports Federation member federations select athletes as contenders for the Global Esports Games Women’s Class.

We can’t wait to learn which 10 countries will be represented in the first edition of the iRacing/Ferrari women’s category competition. Every national selection will bring another driver’s story to the global stage.

10 million impressions for sim racing

Our advertising across Minecraft servers has reached 10 million impressions - a huge accomplishment for the sim racing vertical and an exciting opportunity to introduce our community to a wider gaming audience.

A huge thank-you to GamerSafer for making this opportunity possible. Together, we’re helping more people discover sim racing and the pathways it can open.

NASCAR: multiple winners, one championship chase

The Init NASCAR Truck Series has crossed halfway with four different winners across its first six rounds. Mackis Hagman took Daytona, Lucas Montrésor won Charlotte, and Trevor Dyer claimed Bristol. Arron Brown has built momentum with victories at Indianapolis, Texas, and Iowa.

Brown leads the provisional standings with 226 points, but Hagman remains in pursuit on 205. Derek Skladel holds third on 178, ahead of Montrésor on 164. Further down, Jason Trocki and Millow Frayssine are tied on 141, with Tom Bryant just two points behind - a close points battle as the season continues. Follow the NASCAR results.

Team America: the fight for national recognition

Team America has also passed its midpoint. Jordan Johnson won the first four rounds, establishing himself as the driver to beat, before Ricky Renner broke that run with victory at Motegi.

Johnson leads the provisional championship on 232 points, followed by Bronnson Turner on 200 and Andre Saba on 181. The next positions are tightly contested: Aiden Bugner has 174, Morgun Stringer 168, and Edwin Onofre 162. Every round offers another opportunity to strengthen a driver’s case. Explore the Team America standings.

We can’t wait to find out which drivers will be selected to represent the United States at the Global Esports Games in Los Angeles!

CCSR gains momentum - and opens doors to Women with Drive

More universities are joining the current iRacing time trials for the Collegiate Championship for Sim Racing (CCSR), and we’re excited to see students putting their schools on the grid.

Through our collaboration with Women with Drive Summit VI 2026, three lucky female college students who register for CCSR will receive tickets to attend the Summit. The event takes place December 7–9 in Indianapolis, offering a chance to connect with people across motorsports. Learn about the Summit.

Students, make sure your laps count: time-trial times are valid only when you are fully registered for CCSR through Init’s website. Complete your championship registration, faculty enrollment verification, and driver’s agreement. Complete your CCSR registration.

Your results, always within reach

Results and standings for all our series are now live on the website and updated on an ongoing basis. Follow your favorite drivers, check your progress, and keep up with the championship battles at Init’s Race Results hub. Standings remain provisional pending final review.

Racership: connecting drivers and brands

We’re proud of our collaboration with Racership, helping put sim racing drivers in front of brands - and helping brands discover drivers they can support.

Whether you’re a racer seeking sponsorship or a business looking to become a sponsor, download the app and explore the opportunity to build a partnership. Get started with Racership.

The Init Esports Team