AS technology advances, the monumental rise of E-Sports continues to grow. Competitive online motor racing is becoming a front runner in real world simulation sports.

This is thanks, in part, to improvements of realism simulators such as Assetto Corsa Competizione.

In Devon, one racer has had a very different challenge compared to her competitors and now she’s representing the United Kingdom in one of the premier competitive iRacing leagues.

Alisa Long of Crediton has long had issues with her recent gender transition but through her hobbies, friends, and now competitive drive - she is reaching the chequered flag at the end of these struggles.

Long, the only female racer on the circuit, currently sits mid-table after six races in the Pro-AM, Actrollvision (ACR) ICGT Series table. This is also only her first season racing alongside the professionals.

"The start of the season has gone well so far! I started in the ACR Super Beginners and was comfortably battling for top three in every race.

"After the first two races, Actrollvision - who runs the races - asked if I would like to move up to the Pro-AM competitions, which I accepted.

"I do need to improve my aggression in races though. It has gotten me into more sticky situations than I’d like to admit!

"ICGT Round 1 at Laguna Seca springs to mind.

"It was my first league race and going into Turn 4 and I dived into the inside of the Ferrari of (fellow competitor) Zvonimir Burek."

Alisa collided with a curb on the apex, which forced her Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT3 straight across the track, smashing the Croat’s 488-GT3.

"It was a silly mistake that I haven’t repeated since!" she chuckles.

Born Ryan Long, the 22-year-old’s transition has to be admired. The racer has long had ongoing mental health issues surrounding her gender and sexuality.

"The biggest struggle has been coming out. Finding the best way to do it was difficult - if not impossible! You can’t please everyone after all.

"Being gay was something I always thought about from a young age, into secondary school to be honest. I sort of just told people about it and let friends be the judge of whether they thought it was okay.

"Becoming trans was only a recent thing, the last year or so. It was probably one of the longest decisions I’ve had to make regarding myself and really was a difficult thing to find about myself.

"That in particular was a journey that took several years and still isn’t fully over yet. Questioning is always happening and I’m finding more about myself every day.

"For those of you who are trans, you are always valid! Regardless of what people are saying around you, you know yourself best. Stay strong!"

She hailed the support she’s received during this time.

"Everyone has just been super friendly about it all, adjusting to the name change without really any hiccups. My family has taken the longest to adjust but that’s only normal, given how long they’ve known me.

"The biggest support you can give anyone who is trans is the validation that they are, who they say they are. It’ll give them the biggest smile when you use correct pronouns and names."

One of the biggest boosts however has come through her gaming.

"The racing has helped massively to distract my mind and give me something to work towards, which is something that I always tended to lack."

Going forward, Alisa has set humble goals for her racing career but is focused on achieving in the short-term.

"For now, I’m just wanting to be quick enough to battle it out for Top 10’s in the Pro leagues within ACR and other leagues in the future.

"Competing in the iRacing 24 Hours Of Le Mans is a personal Sim-Racing goal of mine and finishing would be an absolute bonus."

The humility of Alisa is her most outstanding trait. She’s taken on her demon’s head on and is still being challenged in her personal and social life.

The escapism of gaming has rallied her confidence and now she is competing at an international level because of it.

The Devonian E-Racer is driven to represent herself with Pride on the track and has used that confidence, to succeed in the real world too.

You can follow Alisa’s races at: twitch.tv/actrollvision at 7pm BST every Tuesday, as well as checking out her own streams at: twitch.tv/alisarvn .

Jed Penberthy