From Sim to Circuit: How virtual Racing is Launching Women’s Careers

10 or even five years ago, no one believed in the potential of sim racing. Seen as little more than a video game, sim racing has been through a long journey to become a legitimate training ground - and even a launchpad - for careers in motorsport. 

For women, in particular, the world of virtual racing is opening doors that were once locked due to barriers in cost, access, or outdated gender norms. As motorsport continues to embrace digital innovation, a new path is emerging, one where women can go from playing in their bedroom to competing on real-world circuits; and yes it’s already happening.

Take Emily Jones, known as "Emree" online, a professional sim racer who rose to fame competing in the Gran Turismo World Tour and VCO ProSIM Series, before making her mark in real-life motorsport events. Her story is not the only one, as it becomes increasingly common for more women to prove that motorsport talent knows no format - digital or physical.

What is Sim Racing?

Sim racing (short for "simulated racing") refers to racing games designed with extreme realism. They mimick real-world car physics, tire wear, and track layouts to the highest level that technology allows. Sim racing happens across platforms like iRacing, Assetto Corsa, rFactor 2, and Gran Turismo, which have built dedicated communities, with online leagues, championships, and even considerable prize money going to the winners.

Unlike arcade-style games, sim racing demands a high level of focus, discipline, and technical knowledge as physical racing; and is already a key part of how many top motorsport teams develop cars, test strategies, and put tyres through stress trials. With the rise of esports, sim racing has made it possible to compete from anywhere in the world, levelling the playing field for many aspiring drivers. Women are a part of this.

Levelling the Playing Field for Women

Motorsport is an exclusive domain. The financial, geographical, and cultural barriers of entry still impact hundreds of talented racers and professionals looking to make their mark. Along with concentrated efforts to help underrepresented groups access motorsport, Sim racing breaks down many of these barriers. A basic sim setup, while an investment, costs significantly less than karting or track time, and virtual communities are often more diverse than traditional paddocks.

Initiatives like the W Series Esports League in 2020 gave female drivers global visibility during the pandemic. Sim racers like Jem Hepworth gained recognition for their skills, showing that the virtual track could be just as competitive and entertaining as any physical one.

“It gave me a platform to prove myself,” said Hepworth in an interview with Motorsport UK. “Before sim racing, I didn’t have the budget to compete consistently.”

Success Stories: From Virtual to Reality

Emily Jones (Emree) – Australia

Emily started sim racing as a hobby and quickly rose through the ranks of Gran Turismo Sport. Her speed and racecraft landed her in international esports finals and eventually earned her a test drive in a real car at The Bend Motorsport Park in Australia. She competed in two Hyundai Excel Series races, with a highest finish in P2. She's since worked with brands and broadcasters, using her sim-to-track journey to inspire others.

Yvonne Houffelaar - The Netherlands

Yvonne Houffelaar began karting at the age of seven. In spite of a scoliosis diagnosis at five and difficulties with mobility, she earned her race license at 15. However, due to her condition, she eventually shifted her focus to sim racing.​ Her impact in the sim racing space, both due to her speed and her inspiring story, have opened many doors for Yvonne. She has co-founded her own sim racing team, and showing impressive resilience and the potential of the sim racing world, made a return to on-track, endurance racing. 

Credit: Rokt

Oracle Red Bull Racing and Rokt - a chance to join a winning team

It’s not all up to individuals to take the sim racing and track racing world by storm. The value of the skills women sim racers have is being recognised by teams at the very top of motorsport. Earlier this year, Oracle Red Bull Racing Sim Racing and Rokt  announced the continuation of the Rokt the Rig Initiative, launching an all-female racing team to compete on the iRacing platform. 

The team presents an opportunity for talented, female drivers to join Oracle Red Bull Racing, and even potentially step into a role with their team beyond the iRacing competition. The livery for the sim car will also be designed by a female-led creative team, who again gain the opportunity to begin their paths in motorsport. 

The Future of Sim-to-Track for Women

More teams and organisations are beginning to scout talented women from sim racing. The F1 Esports Series, GT Academy, and regional sim championships are creating new pathways to real seats. In 2024, Formula E’s Accelerate program included female finalists for the first time, which was a major step forward for representation.

Companies like Next Level Racing and Playseat are partnering with women-led initiatives, helping more females access quality equipment and coaching. With the evolution of technology and online competition, the gap between sim and reality continues to shrink every day.

The sim racing revolution is transforming how people experience motorsport by redefining who gets to be part of it. For women this is more than a trend; it’s a movement. With fewer barriers, greater accessibility, and a growing global community, sim racing is launching female careers from the bedroom to the podium.

If you're dreaming of a racing career but don’t know where to start, why not pick up a wheel? You might just be one race away from the real thing.