Women racing around the world in 4 main Motorsport Championships under FIM and FIA include the following:
Women Motocross World Championship currently 6 Round Series takes place alongside World Motocross Championship of MXGP/Infront in Europe and UK. Racing consists of 2 motos at venues of natural and man-made tracks with up to full-gate line-up of 40 women competing for the annual WMX Championship Title.
From founding Women’s World MX Cup in 2005 won by Steffi Laier, through to validation by MXGP that WMX gained full status as World Championship in 2008, total number of Champions have been: Steffi Laier 2005, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Katherine Prumm (now Oberlin-Brown) 2006, and 2007. Livia Lancelot: 2008, and 2016. Kiara Fontanesi: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018. Courtney Duncan: 2019, 2020, and 2021.
With FIM 2021 WMX Championship Final Round at Trentino, Italy comprising of Women racing from 15 different Nationalities: Europe, Australasia and USA, the geographical scope of racing at Women Motocross World Championship level is the highest global event held.
The Dakar Rally remains the most grueling event for qualified Women to enter and race across varying categories from bike, car, SSV, quad and truck. Notable ‘Legends’ earn status from racing 10 Dakar’s which has been achieved by 2 Women: Spanish rider Laia Sanz (bike) and Italian/French driver Camelia Liporati (Quad/SSV).
The 43rd running of 2021 FIA regulated Dakar Rally qualified Women from Europe, USA, South America and Saudi Arabia to compete in the 12 Stage Rally under respective categories in General as well as Women class standings. History was made in 2020 and again in 2021 Dakar Rally with Spanish rider Sara Garcia competing and finishing as first ever female in Unassisted Original by Motul class along with fellow nationality driver Cristina Gutierrez winning 2021 Dakar Stage One in SSV- Lightweight category.
Continuing founding legacy of racing The Dakar on level playing field for all competitors, Women have proved their own skills of physical endurance, mental fortitude and technical ability to race the world’s most challenging off-road event.
America’s inaugural Grand National Cross Country Championship has commanded unprecedented opportunity for the most competitive Cross-Country/Enduro Women riders to race in WXC class in conjunction with GNCC Pro Bike event. 2021 WXC Championship highlighted the rise of Women professionalism racing GNCC with RacerX TV films, pre-post race interviews and articles on selection of highly competitive Women within the class proving how far the scope and scale of racing has evolved over the years.
The highly sustainable 13 Round Series has developed from initial founding principle of the late Dave Coombs who wanted to create ‘the nations most prestigious off road Series’, with records highlighted in 2000 WXC results of 2 Women competing: Heidi Landon winning in 1.51.44 and Bonnie Hamrick 2nd in 2.01.05.
Most notably Women competing in GNCC WXC Championship have established symbiotic partnerships with Brands, sponsors, and promoters whereby each race provides exposure to Media, fans, and viewers watching promotion of rider, Team and support networks.
F3/WSeries Championship made debut season in 2019 with all female single-seater Series providing 18 female drivers opportunity to develop and showcase their respective F3 racing skills to global audience. Setting historical precedent, 2019 6 Round Series captivated fans with professionalism of racing in identical Tatuus F3 T-318 cars with driver race gear and graphics promoting the Series sponsors.
Breaking new ground within traditional ranks of Formula racing, WSeries has rocketed profiles of Women competing for top honours through making every race point count, not just for the Championship but also towards gaining top 12 spots (for 2019) and top 8 spots (for 2021) automatic selection to compete in following season.
Additionally, the benefit of inclusivity of bringing in younger talented drivers as reserves, to race at selected Rounds, along with angling Branding principles on embracing equality of gender on the track has made clear that diversity of thought coupled with real-time action elevates the status of Women in Formula racing.
With objectives upper most in mind, supported by Formula One race schedule in holding WSeries within F1 calendar, the F3 all female Series holds ultimate potential to transform the identity of Women racing Motorsport for years to come.
Words: Sharon Cox.
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