The professionalism of women racing across Motorsport disciplines is at an all time high. From the scintillating racing at Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship at Cremona, Italy, to the dominant performances of F1 Academy driver’s racing at F1 of Singapore, to the gendered Teams racing E-Xplorer Rounds 3 and 4 in Switzerland, a cumulative number of 49 women plied their talents to a global audience at the weekend.
Straight up, these women displayed brilliant skills on the track in 3 very different Championships, which a mere 3 years ago didn’t exist. 23 rider’s lined up on the grid in World WCR to push there skills to the next level, producing the closest of racing for the top tier, and invaluable race experience for middle-order rider’s seeking improvement in results.
16 driver’s sought position on the track in F1 Academy, producing best lap times in Qualifying races 1 and 2, on Singapore’s street circuit, under hot, humid conditions which affected tyre management and driver fatigue. 10 women competed in E Xplorer Rounds 3 and 4 within gendered Teams, adapting to the Supercross style track, which included logs to navigate over at speed.
The fact that all women have carved a racing career from grass-roots through to World Championships, speaks volumes on the levels of adaptability and purpose each female possesses, to pivot when needed, and grab opportunities to race, when presented. From racing against their male counterparts, to competing in all-female grid, to enjoying racing as gendered Teams on electric powered bikes – these women highlight the shifts that have occurred both on and off the track.
As witnessed in World WCR Round 4 at Cremona at the weekend, the oh-so-close racing between current Championship leader Ana Carrasco and P2 placed Maria Herrera was nothing short of unreal. Wheel to wheel on the corners, constant changing of slip-stream positions, along with the determined competitiveness from home-track rider Roberta Ponziani and Sara Sanchez, racing was sublime.
Equally, the sheer depth of talent from Rodin Motorsport driver, Abbi Pulling was on full display at F1 Academy Round 5 in Singapore. Taking pole followed by double race wins, the British driver shone a light on what can be achieved when belief, resources, and will power fuse as one on the track, in front of a massive fan base around Marina Bay circuit.
Undoubtedly, the opportunity to race F1 Academy as support category in 7 F1 Grand Prix’s has boosted exposure, promotion, and leverage of driver’s profiles – while providing race-time for all women to further develop their race-craft on the track. As a result, driver’s have strengthened their resolve to elevate their respective standings, as American Lia Block proved at Singapore – producing her best result of the Series of P4 in both R1 and R2.
The 10 women racing E Xplorer within gendered Teams showcase their diverse range of bike skills on tracks formed from mix of MX/SX and Cross disciplines. All women herald from respective Enduro, WMX, and Hard Enduro racing careers, with Spain’s multi-disciplined rider – Sandra Gomez winning the overall women’s category at Crans-Montana, Switzerland at the weekend.
Taken in context, these 49 women have produced the finest of racing in World Championships founded in the last 2 years – gripping fans and followers alike on who will stand top of the podium at each track venue. From the up-close-and-personal battles between the top tier of World WCR rider’s, to the mighty competency of F1 Academy’s top trio of driver’s, to the skilled capabilities of E Xplorer rider’s – these women promote the rise of professionalism of women in Motorsport.
Header photo: Maria Herrera and Maya Weug Credit: World WCR and F1 Academy. Graphics: MXLink.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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