I don’t have the traditional motorsport story. I wasn’t born into racing. No one raced nor watched racing in my family. I didn’t start karting from the moment I quit wearing diapers. I didn’t come from a rich family and I’m not my father’s son. When motorsport came into my life at age 16, I had about 11 years to catch up on. I can humbly say this sport is extremely tough and many drivers have to overcome some of the same obstacles.

But, apparently, there is still another hurdle that I and others have to overcome. I wanted to compete with the boys just to say I could, and when I beat them I didn’t say anything at all, because it wasn’t necessary. Why? Because I respect my rivals, male or female. It’s an honor to share the racetrack with well-regarded competitive drivers of either gender. Yes, I do think having more women in racing is fantastic because it will help the future of the sport, and that’s why I started the #SteelOvaryNation campaign, but I am not a “let’s get our pom-poms” kind of girl. I just believe racing is one of the sports in which females and males can compete on an equal footing.

Apparently, not all agree. Legendary former racing driver Sir Stirling Moss was quoted during a recent BBC radio documentary saying, “I think they [women] have the strength, but I don’t know if they’ve got the mental aptitude to race hard, wheel to wheel.”

He went on to add: “We’ve got some very strong and robust ladies…. [‘Robust' isn't really a flattering word, Sir. Just saying…] But, when your life is at risk, I think the strain of that in a competitive situation will tell when you’re trying to win…. The mental stress I think would be pretty difficult for a lady to deal with in a practical fashion. I just don’t think they have the aptitude to win a Formula 1 race.”

I can assure anyone that not once have I ever gotten into a racecar and thought, “My life is at risk.” OK, I’m not driving F1 cars but, come on, the “risk” is something all racers marry from the moment they decide to take their racing career seriously. And so, despite having the utmost respect for Sir Stirling’s amazing achievements in the cockpit, his comments regarding women racers are utterly ridiculous, offensive and have more than a hint of ignorance. While Moss is absolutely correct in saying it takes mental strength to be a racing driver, his comments basically state that female drivers aren’t equipped to deal with this.

There’s a difference between thinking you can win and believing you can win and, even for natural champions, this can be one of the most difficult obstacles to overcome. That’s why so many drivers go through sports psychology, a.k.a., mental training. That includes F1 drivers. That includes male drivers.

I understand Moss is from a different era but in today’s world there’s a difference between tradition and equality. I can handle “old-school” mentality but his comment, whether he intended it to be this way or not, was absurdly sexist and badly thought through. Motorsport is male-dominated and while there are still so few female racers in the world (relatively speaking), how can anyone possibly pass judgment on whether female drivers have what it takes? There have been only five female drivers in the history of Formula 1! Five!! So what stats is he basing his opinion on? To me, and I hope thousands of others, Sir Stirling’s comment is a generalization of the most ridiculous magnitude and should be dismissed.

For the past three years, I’ve seen women in the industry making larger impressions than ever before because they are finally getting the chances they’ve earned. Needless to say, they must work hard to gain respect but that’s true for male racers, too. And that is my point: women racers aren’t (or shouldn’t be) asking for favoritism because of their gender. But it certainly is right for us to be regarded as equals from the outset, so that we, like men, then have the chance to succeed or fail based on our performances on and off the track. We should not have to flaunt our #SteelOvaryNation credentials outside the racecar, just to overcome the prejudices of the ignorant.

Sir Stirling Moss, I think it’s time you welcome us. And respect us.

Shea Holbrook drives the TrueCar Racing Honda Civic in the SCCA Pirelli World Challenge.

Original article posted on Racer.

When young athletes are faced with adversity, many struggle to overcome the obstacles. Professional racecar driver Emilee Tominovich, a 20-year-old from Clarksville, was an aspiring collegiate soccer player, but an injury forced her down a different path — one filled with speed.

After being recruited to play soccer out of Archbishop Spalding High School, Tominovich was forced to give up the sport she loved when she suffered a second herniated disc in her back. But instead of giving up sports altogether, she began going to the racetrack with her father, Joey Tominovich, which allowed her to fulfill her athletic desires.

She first got started by joining a novice group to gain experience. But after receiving a high school graduation gift from her parents, a five-day trip to Bertil Roos Racing School, Tominovich elevated her game to a new level.

“I was excited because it was an opportunity to get a license to actually race,” Tominovich said.

After earning her SCCA Regional Racing license, she was eligible to begin racing competitively. Then, in November 2011, she was offered a sponsorship to the TrueCar team as part of the Women Empowered initiative.

“When I got the call, I didn’t fully understand what the sponsorship would entail,” Tominovich said. “I knew I would be able to race in a competitive series, which I was excited about, but I didn’t actually understand what the whole TrueCar sponsorship would mean.

“After meeting the girls and seeing how much of an impact they have on people, it was a really cool thing to be a part of, and it really helped jump-start my career.”

Tominovich became the sixth member of the TrueCar team, and she entered relatively new to racing compared with her teammates. Still, Tominovich said, she was looking forward to being part of a team once again.

“Coming from playing soccer, I have always been a part of a team,” she said. “When I starting racing as an amateur, it was me, my dad and maybe one or two other people working on the car. I missed being a part of a team with other girls, so it was really cool getting that back and being a part of a team.”

Since she started her professional career, Tominovich has continued to take each race as a learning experience. After having consistent success as an amateur, she is still looking to do the same as a professional.

“I do want to win,” Tominovich said. “When I wasn’t racing professionally, I was usually on the podium in most of the races. It’s a good feeling, but it’s much harder to do that in a professional series, because it’s so much more competitive. I really want to get back up on the podium. It’s a huge motivation.”

Being a native of the Baltimore area, Tominovich has taken an interest in the Grand Prix of Baltimore. Although she hasn’t been able to compete in the event yet, she said she hoped to do so soon.

“I actually heard a rumor that [SCCA Pro Racing Playboy Mazda MX-5 Cup Series] wanted to run the Baltimore Grand Prix last year, but since it was such a last-minute thing, we couldn’t really do it,” Tominovich said. “It’s definitely something I want to do in the near future.”

Outside of racing, Tominovich is currently a nursing student at Catholic University of America. She said she still enjoyed playing and watching soccer while participating in other physical activities to help keep in shape.

Still in the early stages of racing, Tominovich has a long and prosperous career ahead of her. Many of her goals are still in sight, and she said she was motivated to make auto racing her full-time job.

“I would like to eventually get to the highest level of motorsports that I can,” Tominovich said, “and eventually make a living off racing. That would be ideal.”

Original story posted on PressBox

The 21-year-old female, who came from the open-wheel ranks, is competing in her very first full season in sports cars. “I absolutely love driving the Porsche GT3 Cup car,” said the 2-time Skip Barber Series Champion. “I have been on a very steep learning curve from the moment I sat in the car, and I am sure I will continue to do so as this car requires a much different driving style than an open wheel car with down force.”

Right from the beginning of the weekend, Freiberg turned heads as she finished the first official practice leading the field with the quickest time of the session. “I work very hard off track so that when I get behind the wheel, I am well prepared and able to work on fine-tuning details that will help me gain those last few tenths of a second.”

In Thursday’s qualifying session, Freiberg was 5th quickest until the last few minutes when another driver snuck ahead to put her 6th on the starting grid for race one. A few hours later, the green flag waved for race one and the field battled into turn one. “I knew from the start that I had to conserve my tires a bit as they were the same ones used from qualifying, which ended up benefiting me as I started to get faster at the end of the race while everyone else was falling off pace.” With twelve minutes to go and Freiberg in 4th place, a caution came out and ended the race. “I was extremely disappointed as I knew I my car had a podium in it, but I just didn’t have the time!”

Freiberg started race two in 4th, but two lengthy caution periods due to other competitors’ crashes limited the green laps to only five. Freiberg found herself wishing for more green laps as EFFORT Racing had made changes to her car over-night to make it strong in a long run. “Based on race one we had made some changes so that my car would be really strong as the race went on, but even though the car was getting quicker each lap, the lack of green laps held us back from the podium we where aiming for. All in all, I know that I have learned a bunch about racing these cars and added to my ‘toolbox’ of skills this weekend to take into the next round at Laguna.”

Rounds three and four of the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama are at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca May 9-11 during the American Le Mans Monterey event. To keep up with the action, please visit www.IMSAChallenge.com live timing and scoring.

For more information please visit EFFORTRacing.com and AshleyRacing.com

Based out of Angleton,Texas, EFFORT Racing was launched just over two years ago with the goals of achieving excellence as a team and developing drivers who win the right way. They entered into the IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge and were immediately competitive, achieving four race wins, two pole positions, seven podium finishes, multiple fast laps, and finishing third overall in the Platinum Cup last season.

EFFORT Racing is constantly seeking new ways to inspire and ignite excellence in others, which is why their Driver Development Program was born. The driver line up for 2013 includes Michael Mills and Sloan Urry, both returning to the GT3 Cup Challenge for their second seasons, and Ashley Freiberg from open wheel racing will be entering her rookie season in GT3.

Returning veteran of the GT3 ranks, Michael Mills, will be in the No. 41 machine ready to fight for the championship alongside his new teammates.

“I’m very excited about this EFFORT Racing’s 2013 GT3 Cup Challenge program,” said Michael Mills, who has multiple GT3 Cup Challenge wins and podium finishes under his belt in both the Platinum and Gold classes.

“Turning 40 this year, I’m honored EFFORT has given me the opportunity to be a part of the foundation of these young talents with very bright futures. We are focused on the development of a junior driver program,” said Mills. “This year we have Sloan Urry racing with us, who I raced against all last season, and I’m excited about having him as a teammate to work with this year. Ashley Freiberg, who has been a very accomplished open wheeler, is already lightning-quick despite having very little time in a cup car, and she will be a serious contender all year. I cannot wait to get to the track with these two young guns as teammates.”

Sloan Urry will also be one to watch in his return to the GT3 Cup Challenge. With only three years of racing experience, he has already shown some great speed, finishing on the podium at Road America and Virginia International Raceway, with consistent top five finishes throughout the 2012 season.

“EFFORT Racing is an exciting, fresh and aspiring racing team that is very focused on developing their team into a world class organization,” said Urry, “and I’m pumped to be a part of it. EFFORT has given me a great opportunity for the upcoming season, and I plan to take full advantage of it. The number one goal is to get the Team Championship, and if we work together, all three of us should have a shot at the Driver’s Championship. I can’t wait to get after it!”

Open wheel racer Ashley Freiberg will be driving her rookie season in the No. 51 GT3 Cup car, which is quite a change from her formula car background. Well established in open wheel racing, winning multiple national championships and races, she hopes to make a good impression in her debut in the sports car world.

“EFFORT Racing has given me so much support from day one; I really can’t thank them enough for giving me this incredible opportunity,” said Freiberg. “The entire team is very focused on the same goals, and to be honest, I think we are going to be a force to be reckoned with this year.”

Team owner Chuck Toups and the entire EFFORT Racing crew are all thrilled about the future of the team and drivers as well. “It’s a very exciting opportunity for me to have the ability to work with a team of drivers of that caliber,” said Team Manager and Engineer, Hunter Wright. “To have three drivers under our tent that have the ability to podium is the goal for EFFORT Racing. The team that has been assembled is going to make for a season worth watching.’

To find out more information, please visit:

EFFORT Racing

http://effortracing.com/

Ashley Freiberg
www.AshleyRacing.com

Sloan Urry
www.SloanUrryRacing.com

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How fast have you driven a car? As a law-abiding citizen, we’re going to assume not too much higher than the speed limit. Racecar driver Ashley Freiberg, on the other hand, regularly clocks in over 100 miles per hour like it’s no sweat, and wins races pretty consistently in the male-dominated sport. Ever since she began racing as a teen, Freiberg has nabbed first place in 29 Skip Barber races (racing’s equivalent of being signed to the minor leagues), and in 2010, she captured two Skip Barber Series championships and became the first woman to win both a Skip Barber Racing Series overall title and Skip Barber National Series event.

Freiberg will be the first to tell you there’s more to the sport than driving with a lead foot, though. We sat down with the 21-year-old to talk racing, training and her favorite ways to break a sweat when she’s not behind the wheel. Ready, set, go!

You first learned about the racing industry when you nabbed a job as a timing official when you were 11 years old. What did you think about it back then?

Well, my brothers got into racing when I was about 10 years old and honestly, I didn’t even think women raced. I just thought it was mostly guys, so it never really crossed my mind that a girl could be out there. But I loved watching it, that’s for sure. That’s why I wanted to be in the timing and scoring tower because I could watch racing all day long. Then as I started to get older, I saw more girls on the track racing go karts and I thought, ‘Hey, maybe this is something I could do.’

Was your family supportive when you decided to give it a try?

I’ve always been a tomboy. I grew up with two brothers and no sisters, so I was always on a skateboard and playing basketball. The only person who was against it was my mom. She didn’t think I was aggressive enough, I guess. I remember a friend of ours was like, ‘I think she’s got it in her,’ so he kind of convinced my mom to get me into it.

Speaking of basketball and skateboarding, do you think your athletic background helped make the transition from team sports to racing easier?

For sure! I’ve always been super competitive; I think growing up with two brothers is what helped grow that competitive spirit inside of me because we’d always be seeing who could be the best at this or beat each other in any kind of game. I definitely think that sports really helped develop all kind of skills that transitioned into racing, like determination, handling pressure and competitiveness.

Your career really started to take off while you were still in high school. Did you miss any of the high school rites of passage?

Oh yeah. I never went to prom. I went to one high school dance freshman year, and then driving got way more serious, so it ended up being the only one I went to.

But you were happy with the decision?
To be honest, when I look back, I’m really happy with the choices I made. Sometimes I didn’t hear the best stories after prom!

What are your favorite kinds of workouts?

I like to mix it up and challenge myself. Recently, I got into rock climbing, so that’s been challenging physically, but also mentally—I’m afraid of heights. But that’s why I wanted to get into it because it would push me beyond what my perceived limits were. And when you’re in a racecar, that’s what it is. You’re thinking, ‘How hard can I push? How hard can I push? Go harder, I know I can go harder’—like banging my head on that limit ceiling. So that’s why I got into climbing, and I like to be outside too. I like to go skate skiing too, which is a fun, killer workout. I just like to be outside!

How is training for racecar driving different than a typical workout?

I just try to mix it up as much as possible and use as many skills as I possibly can to challenge different parts of my body. Even eye usage—I have workouts for my eyes that literally strengthen them—you focus on things close to you, then far away, and they literally hurt afterwards. I’m driving a new car this year, too, and it’s enclosed with the engine basically in there with me, making it very hot. So training for heat conditions will be something new for me this year, for sure.

What’s it like racing guys? Do they push you more?

Honestly, it seems normal to me. Growing up with brothers, I’m used to that and being competitive. I say ask the guys how they feel racing a girl.

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