Recently, my husband took me aside, pulling me into a corner of our kitchen away from our son’s ears. He gently warned me that my latest passion – a strong desire to become a racing driver – was causing concern for our family. I paused and replied, “Oh, thank goodness.”
Whether it be skiing in the Rockies, moving to Bahrain, or bungee jumping off South Africa’s Bloukrans Bridge, I have always known that I feel most alive when engaging in activities that may worry others. Some may call it fickle or even selfish for a 37-year-old mother to dive into car racing – a risky and expensive venture. However, after years of fulfilling parental duties, it felt like a return to my true self.
I thrive on adrenaline. I am also a nonconformist. I excel in activities that may raise eyebrows. Standing at 5ft 3in, passionate about fashion, and equally comfortable sipping martinis at the Connaught as I am leaping off bridges. Being underestimated motivates me. The male-dominated realm of motorsport intrigues me greatly. Nothing would bring me more joy than being part of a movement that demonstrates one can appreciate pairing Prada slingbacks with throwing around a Nissan Skyline GT-R.
Although racing is one of the few sports where women can compete against men, we make up less than 10% of participants globally. This is not due to lack of talent but rather lack of early exposure for girls. I have always had a passion for anything on four wheels. As a child, one of my favorite pastimes was racing my uncle’s tractor mower around his apple trees. However, like many other parents, it never crossed my mind to take me go-karting – the starting point for many in motorsport.
Ribald and unethical behavior is prevalent in the darker corners of the paddock
Efforts are being made to address this imbalance, but there is still a long way to go before women feel fully welcomed in these spaces. The one time I visited an indoor karting track, I found myself surrounded by a grid of 10 mostly adult men, all staring at me as if I were from another planet. Even for me, it was intimidating. Imagine how a young girl would feel in that situation.
