The Message of Endurance: Women in Motorsports
It takes a specific form of determination and precision to step into a racecar that sends you from 0 to 120 miles per hour in roughly ten seconds. It also takes someone with a certain attention to detail to sand the final details on an automotive bodywork.
Women have changed the landscape of motorsports for generations now. In recent years, there have been more and more women on the tracks than ever before, and that is in part of three key figures.
Aloisa Ruf, Martina Kwan, and Ariana Manzo redefine what it means to be women in the motor industry, with each approaching their respective roles with grace, genius, and of course, speed.
Inspiration starts the engine, endurance pushes you to the finish line.
Aloisa Ruf
Aloisa Ruf of the German car manufacturer, Ruf Automobile, knows the motor industry like the back of her hand. She was raised in it.
“With my parents being entrepreneurs and always taking me to the events and to the workshop,” she says, “I got to be hands-on since I was a little girl.”
The 21-year-old Communications student works in her family’s business in their PR, merchandising, and advertising departments. But why stop there? Ruf also works two days a week restoring classic cars like the 993-based Ruf Bergmeister in their restoration department.
For Ruf, passion comes naturally. “I think passion is something that is contagious, especially when you see your parents and people you look up to as being passionate about something,” she says.
There are many aspects of interest in the product of automobiles. “You can go into the detail of the paint job, you can go into the detail of the brake system, of the engine, the driving, the interior work,” says Ruf. “There's always something you can get excited about.”
Ruf loves how open the industry has been to new people, and how it welcomes people of all ages and genders. “If you're genuinely passionate, and if you're genuinely interested in learning more, you will always be welcomed,” she says, “everybody has an attention to detail in the industry.”
For women looking to enter the industry, Ruf advises them to stay open-minded and not let anything put them down—stay curious.
“Ask a lot of questions because if you don't ask, you don't develop,” she mentions. “It doesn't happen very often, especially as a young woman that somebody will just come up to you and explain how something works in a car.”
According to Ruf, women in the motor industry are flourishing beautifully. “We can do anything,” she says. “Any part of the car can be also governed by women, and of course racing, too.”
If you are looking for a place to start, there are more options than the driver’s seat. “You could go into being an engineer, you can go into being a mechanic, you can go into advertising, you can go into detailing, you can go into interior work,” claims Ruf.
From Ruf’s perspective, there are already great examples of people who have established themselves and people that are currently establishing themselves. She praises the community’s open arms. “I think it's a very positive change that we are witnessing right now,” Ruf concludes. “This is an enrichment.”
Martina Kwan
Martina Kwan is a mother, three-time champion racecar driver, CEO, and two-time international best-selling author. She also drove professionally for Saleen in the Saleen S1 cup car in the GT World Challenge and is a member of the Porsche Owner’s Club alongside her Porsche 911.
“I am really passionate about empowering women,” Kwan says, “and letting women know that anything is possible at any age if you believe in yourself.”
When Kwan moved to California in 2013, she enjoyed driving in the canyons and along the Pacific Coast Highway, which would eventually lead to how she found herself at the racetrack with her 911 a couple of times a year.
“I had all these clues of becoming a racecar driver,” she remembers. The chief driving instructor at Pike’s Peak International Raceway of Colorado told Kwan he wanted to make her a champion.
At the time she thought, “Don’t be ridiculous. I’m 49, I’m the mom of two girls, and I’m a business owner. Why would I become a racecar driver?”
Kwan is a firm believer in visualizing goals and dreams.
“The following spring, I was sitting on the floor with my friend Jenny, and we were doing vision boards,” she mentions. “Randomly out of a magazine, I tore ‘Female Racer.’ I was like, ‘Ugh, again.’ I had turned 50 already. But I put it on my vision board.”
At the time, she was a mom and business owner who never imagined herself as a racecar driver. But, Kwan knew she was meant to pursue racing when her coach sent her a picture of a racer’s clinic with all women.
“Seeing other women doing it, I was like ‘You know what? I can do this,’” she reflects. “Set the goals. Believe it is possible. Really dream big even if you think your friends or family might poo-poo the idea. Think of yourself standing on that podium and winning those trophies.”
For young women starting out as racers, Kwan knows that starting your practice in go-karts will give you a leg up from the competition and help you decide which series you want to go into.
But, she advises you will need money for sponsorships, entry fees, and tires. “That's the truth, but nobody mentions that,” she says.
When it comes to the race itself, Kwan knows smooth and calm is fast, so you will need to leave plenty of time to prepare yourself and account for anything you might need before the race starts. “One of the things that I do is blow into my gloves three times very deep from the bottom of my tummy which lets out nervous energy,” she affirms.
During the time you are on the track, Kwan says it is important to stay focused. “Be really smooth and self-aware,” she says.
“If you find yourself gripping the wheel on the front straights or the back straights, remind yourself to watch your hands and your body position,” Kwan recommends. “The smoother you are, the more at one you will be with your car, and the faster you will go.”
Within various disciplines in motorsports like drifting, road racing, and Formula1, Kwan sees a huge future for the industry and women's place in it. “More and more women are starting to do this,” she says. “You see more women at the GT World Challenge level.”
“Because of my determination and will, I was able to succeed in the male-dominated industry,” Kwan concludes.
Ariana Manzo
Ariana Manzo is an automotive model traveling to car shows in conjunction with industry brands to model their merchandise, or sometimes represent the shows themselves.
The North Carolina native found herself in the industry at local car meets. There, she branched out and met the owners of The Sheesh Factory who took her under their wing. She swiftly grew an appreciation for cars and how they were built.
“That really opened up my love for the community and seeing what a good thing it is,” Manzo affirms.
One of her favorite aspects of the car world is witnessing the creative process, especially when it is people who do most of the work themselves. “It is just cool to see people's ideas come to life,” Manzo says. “I have never seen the same car built the exact same way.”
Although the industry is still male-dominant, Manzo confirms that she is seeing a lot of women pop up from out of nowhere.
She leaves us with this piece of advice. “If you have something that you're passionate about, you should reach to achieve that goal,” Manzo advises. “If it's something you seriously care about, then why not do it?”
The recounting of their careers so far in the motor industry are different, but there is one ever-present similarity.
They all credit their success to working hard and having a passion for what they do. In any male-dominant industry, ubiquitous stereotypes and societal ideas about a woman’s leadership capabilities are often expected.
But is that the reason we shouldn’t show up anyway? Take up that space. Rev up your career. You might be surprised. So, if you are looking for us, we’ll be at the grid, or at the shows, or on the podium, or in the office, or detailing the interiors.
Are you interested in motorsports? Leave a comment below.