As 40 racers pull up to the starting line, Logan Clampitt takes a steadying breath and braces his hands on the wheel.
In the next 100 laps, he’ll go head-to-head with top-notch drivers, clock one of the fastest lap times and take the lead just in time for the checkered flag — and he’ll do it all in a virtual landscape.
“When that green flag drops, I get in the zone and it’s just me and the track,” says Clampitt, a Cal State Fullerton computer science student who found that his love for racing is best suited online.
IRacing is the premier motorsport racing simulation that allows players to test their skills on racing circuits around the globe. Clampitt started competing online when he was 15, and is now among the highest-ranking racers in the world, earning top marks in collegiate and global competitions.
His car — a Camaro fitted with the blue and orange Titans logo — is a reminder of the community that stands behind him as he races toward each finish line.
“I was competitive in iRacing throughout high school and community college, but I never got the same level of support that I’ve received here at Cal State Fullerton. It makes me proud to represent the university,” says Clampitt.
A Titan Team Behind Him
When Clampitt transferred to CSUF from Saddleback College, he set out to find a program that matched his passion for simulation racing.
That’s when he learned about Titan Esports, an organization that provides students opportunities to build a network in the video gaming community and represent CSUF in esport competitions. Inside the Esports Lounge, located in Titan Student Union, gaming students have access to a dozen gaming workstations, accessories from Logitech and televisions for console gaming.
“Logan has become a great representation for Titan Esports,” says Chris Estrella-Ramirez, coordinator for sports clubs in Student Life and Leadership. “He brings a lot of experience and passion into every competition, but more importantly, he cares about working with his teammates.”
Established in 2019, the Titan Esports program supports more than 60 athletes who compete in regional and national tournaments for such games as League of Legends, Valorant and Overwatch.
“The program is unique because it encourages students to take their interest in gaming and explore it in a community setting, where they meet others, work toward their gaming goals and compete at a high level,” says Estrella-Ramirez.
When that green flag drops, it’s just me and the track.”
Logan Clampitt, computer science student
Like many students in the program, Clampitt realized that competing with the Titan Esports logo means there’s always a team behind him.
After finishing first place at the Nashville Superspeedway, he noticed that the digital screens around campus displayed his car with the message, “Congratulations, Logan Clampitt.”
“I was excited that people were interested in iRacing, and I felt honored that my school supported me,” says Clampitt.
While racing competitively, he’s also earned thousands of dollars in scholarships to help pay for his education.
Off the track, Clampitt is fueling his passion for computers and software in CSUF’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. Taking such courses on high performance computing and learning from faculty experts, Clampitt has advanced his programming skills in front-end development while exploring his interest in graphic design and video editing.
As a simulation racer, Clampitt knows firsthand the power of sophisticated software and its ability to make a difference in peoples’ lives. It’s what inspired him to pursue a career in software development to work with different clients to build, test, create and maintain software that helps them meet their goals.
