AMA-Sanctioned Esports Competition Launches
Partnered with Init Esports, AMA to award inaugural AMA Esports Title
PICKERINGTON, Ohio (Jan. 27, 2022) — While the racing environment will be virtual, the competition and AMA National No. 1 plate up for grabs could not be more real.
The American Motorcyclist Association has partnered with Init Esports to launch the World’s Fastest Motorcycle Gamer Challenge on Jan. 29. With the AMA sanctioning its first esports tournament, participants will have the opportunity to win AMA national titles in the discipline.
“The AMA’s mission includes promoting the motorcycle lifestyle, and that extends to the digital universe,” said AMA Chief Operating Officer James Holter. “We’re pleased to partner with Init Esports, a specialist in online competition, to develop the rules, structure and fairness of play that elevates online motorcycle racing to a recognized AMA discipline.”
RiMS Racing, by NACON and Italian studio RaceWard, is the street bike simulation game that will serve as the platform for the competition.
Along with a copy of the RiMS Racing, players will be required to purchase an AMA esports digital license — a step to increase accountability in esports and introduce gamers to the motorcycle industry. Non-motorcyclists who participate in the competition will be further exposed to the real world of AMA competition and amateur events, working toward the goal of turning gamers into riders.
“We created the digital competition license to encourage accountability in the gaming world,” said Stefy Bau, Init Esports Founder and CEO. “To drive or race a car or motorcycle in real life you need a license, and by replicating this model in the digital world, our hope is to combat the toxicity we see in parts of the gaming industry. With greater accountability for the gamers, my hope is to provide a safe and fair environment that stimulates more diversity and inclusion in motorsports and gaming.”
AMA esports license holders also enjoy discounts on gaming accessories and virtual perks.
As part of the registration process, participants will link their Xbox, PlayStation or Steam/Epic account to their AMA esports license to have their lap times recorded for the challenge.
Phase 1 of the challenge will have competitors race at Laguna Seca (USA), Silverstone (UK), the Million-Dollar Highway (USA) and the Great Victoria Desert Road (AUS). Presenting the opportunity to improve track times from the first stage, Phase 2 will revisit Laguna Seca, Silverstone and the Million-Dollar Highway, with the fastest combined time on the four tracks determining the winner.
Road, track and weather conditions will vary throughout the competition.
Along with the AMA esports championship, the winner will have the chance to experience two days with a U.S. Superbike team. Competitors finishing second and third will also be awarded a prize.
Learn more by viewing the INIT Esports launch video:
Additional information can be found online at initesports.gg.
About the American Motorcyclist Association
Founded in 1924, the AMA is a not-for-profit member-based association whose mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights and event sanctioning organization, the AMA advocates for riders’ interests at all levels of government and sanctions thousands of competition and recreational events every year. Besides offering members money-saving discounts on products and services, the AMA also publishes American Motorcyclist, a recently revitalized and monthly full-color magazine (and digital version of the same) that covers current events and motorcycle history with brilliant photography and compelling writing. American Motorcyclist is also North America’s largest-circulation motorcycle magazine. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in Pickerington, Ohio, the AMA honors the heroes and heritage of motorcycling. For more information, visit americanmotorcyclist.com.
About Init Esports
Init Esports is a woman-led start-up that focuses on sim racing special events and motorcycle esport tournaments. We bring esports content to fans and sponsorship opportunities to brands. Init Esports produces and promotes online competitions and real-life events, maximizing the reach of esports audiences across multiple sports, industries, and platforms. DEI is in our DNA. Our own platform aims to combat bullying and cheating to help make the digital world as safe and fair as possible.