Empowering women race car drivers to win
- By Greg Rose -
- Jun 13, 2012
Virgin has become an affiliate sponsor of TrueCar Racing, the first all-female professional racing team, and their “Women Empowered” initiative.
Car racing is one of the only sports in the world where men and women compete head to head. Yet the sport is dominated by men. One of the main reasons for this gender inequality on the track is that women don’t receive the same sponsorship opportunities which ultimately enable drivers to be competitive and win. In last month’s 96th running of the Indy 500, however TrueCar Racing IndyCar driver Katherine Legge became only the ninth woman to compete in the famed race.
Richard Branson commented: "We share the same values of supporting women on and off the track, and believe that given the right equipment and resources, women can statistically win – and will do so.
"As a few of the female racers on the TrueCar Racing team have told me, “once the helmet is on, the car doesn’t know the difference whether you’re a man or a woman.” Here’s to seeing more women taking the checkered flag!"
The TrueCar Racing team is comprised of six women in six different races series. In addition to sponsorship, the team receives professional coaching and training, and exposure that is empowering each of the six-talented drivers to pursue their racing dreams. The team is comprised of:
• Katherine Legge (IZOD IndyCar)
• Ashley Freiberg (Star Mazda)
• Shannon McIntosh (USF2000)
• Shea Holbrook (World Challenge)
• Verena Mei (Rally America)
• Emilee Tominovich (Mazda MX-5 Cup)
Find out more about the TrueCar all-women Racing Team.
By Greg Rose. Content Manager. Tweets @greglrose and blogs at greglrose.com
