My Sim Racing Career: Discover the Proven Path to Pro in 7 Steps

My Sim Racing Career: From Cyclist to Pro Sim Racer

Welcome! On this page, I'll share how I transitioned from cycling to the world of virtual racing. What started as a hobby has grown into my current role as a professional driver and coach at ABEX Works.

The Foundation: Discipline from Cycling

Before discovering virtual circuits, I competed in high-level cycling events. The discipline, focus, and perseverance I developed there form the core of my success. It forged an analytical mindset and a deep understanding of structured training and endurance, skills I use every day in sim racing to find the ultimate competitive edge.

Abe Santema during his cycling days, where he built the discipline for his sim racing career.

The First Online Races

My journey began in public online lobbies, purely for fun. Soon, the desire to improve and be competitive grew. Through platforms like SimGrid, I refined my racecraft and strategic thinking, which laid the crucial foundation for my breakthrough in **my sim racing career**.

Breakthrough Moment: The MOZA Challenge

A pivotal moment was my participation in the MOZA Challenge. Here I finished third in the finals. This achievement was not only a personal victory but also opened the door to my first serious team: Thomas Enge Simracing. This was the confirmation that I could compete at the highest level.

The Thomas Enge Simracing team, a key breakthrough moment in my sim racing career.

Professional Teams

With Thomas Enge Simracing, I competed in major championships like the VCO and the ADAC Pro Trophy. After that, I took the next step to Genisus Esports. Here, I made the definitive transition from amateur to professional driver. With top teammates like Luke Addisson, Albin Mansson, and Erik Muscka, I was crowned Dutch Champion in Assetto Corsa Competizione.

The Genisus Esports team, a highlight in my professional sim racing career.
The Porsche 911 GT3 R of the Esports Talent Center Gelderland from my sim racing career.

Esports Talent Center & Further Growth

My performances did not go unnoticed. I was selected for the prestigious talent program of the Esports Talent Center Gelderland, an official part of the NOC*NSF (Dutch Olympic Committee*Dutch Sports Federation).

This gave me the unique opportunity to refine my skills under professional guidance. The program was comprehensive, focusing not only on on-track performance but also on physical training, nutrition, and sports psychology, treating sim racing as a top-tier athletic discipline. This holistic approach was essential in my development.

Career Highlight: FIA Motorsport Games

The absolute highlight of **my sim racing career** so far was the opportunity to represent the Netherlands at the FIA Motorsport Games in Valencia. Alongside Isaac Gillissen, I had the honor of competing in ACC against the world's best sim racers. This adventure has only further fueled my ambition to grow professionally.

Abe Santema representing the Netherlands at the FIA Motorsport Games.

Media Features

Beyond track performance, my story was also picked up by local media. I was featured in the GrootSneek newspaper, which highlighted my unique journey from cycling to professional sim racing.

"Competition, the will to win, is in his blood... now history repeats itself in sim racing where he is a two-time Dutch champion."
Read the Full Article
Abe Santema featured in the GrootSneek newspaper about his sim racing career.
The ABEX Works logo.

My Experience, Your Advantage

Today, I combine the experience from **my sim racing career** with my passion for coaching through ABEX Works. My mission is to use my in-depth knowledge of technique, data, and strategy to help other ambitious sim racers find their apex.

My journey from a competitive cyclist to a professional sim racer has given me a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed. This isn't just about theory; it's about real-world experience in high-pressure environments. This is the foundation of the coaching I provide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long have you been pursuing your sim racing career?

I have been actively pursuing my sim racing career since 2021, progressing from a hobbyist to a professional level.

What has been your best moment so far?

Participating in the FIA Motorsport Games and winning my Dutch title in ACC are absolute highlights.

What are your goals for the future?

To further expand my sim racing career with more international endurance races and to establish my coaching platform, ABEX Works, globally as the go-to place for data-driven talent development.

Follow My Career

Stay up to date with my **sim racing career** via YouTube, Twitch, Instagram, and Discord.

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