Porsche Motorsport has signed up for an alliance with all-women crew Iron Dames which can final for “a number of years” and see the crew flying Stuttgart colours within the FIA WEC, European Le Mans Collection, Asian Le Mans Collection, and IMSA sports activities vehicles. Since Lamborghini’s choice to depart the FIA WEC, leaving Iron Dames holding the empty bag, the crew has been on the lookout for a brand new producer to work with in future seasons. As a part of the deal Iron Dames driver Michelle Gatting might be promoted to official Porsche manufacturing facility driver.
The Iron Dames undertaking started in 2019 and has grown to develop into one of many nice fan favourite sports activities automotive groups. Whereas the crew has largely stored to the FIA WEC and ELMS, the place it has discovered race victories (fittingly in a Porsche in 2023) and several other additional podium finishes, it has participated in various one-off appearances in IMSA. I sit up for seeing what the crew can handle as a full factory-supported entry in 4 globally essential collection.
The brand new partnership begins efficient instantly with the kick off of the Asian Le Mans Collection on the 4 Hours of Sepang on the December 8. Whereas the crew was beforehand operated with help from Italian crew Iron Lynx, although will keep it up with Porsche operations cut up between in-house racing crew Manthey and Proton Competitors.
Michelle Gatting, as a Porsche manufacturing facility ace, will see some severe on-track time working in all 4 collection. She might be joined in a full-season WEC marketing campaign by Rahel Frey and Celia Martin. Throughout the IMSA season she’ll have Rahel Frey and Sarah Bovy as teammates with Karen Gaillard becoming a member of for the 24 Hours of Daytona. Gatting, Bovy, and Martin will crew up for European and Asian Le Mans Collection. In all instances the Iron Dames might be fielding present Porsche GT3-spec equipment towards a number of the greatest tin high racers on the planet.
Deborah Mayer, Iron Dames undertaking founder mentioned: “It’s an honor to hitch forces with such a prestigious model as Porsche Motorsport, that shares the identical ambition of leaving a long-lasting legacy in motorsport whereas driving progress. The Iron Dames undertaking has at all times been rooted within the energy of desires to shatter obstacles and our journey is not only about competing on the highest stage but in addition proving that the racing world holds a spot for everybody with ardour and dedication. Collectively, we intention to set a brand new course for empowering girls in endurance racing by 2025, creating future feminine drivers, reshaping perceptions and encourage the following era. Porsche X Iron Dames is greater than a brand new momentum for girls in motorsport, it’s a strong assertion that each dream, regardless of how formidable, is price pursuing. I sit up for seeing Celia, Michelle, Rahel, and Sarah world wide racing with Porsche once more and the ‘Each Dream Issues’ motion rising with them.”
Porsche might be merging its junior driver program with the Iron Dames Younger Skills program, offering a neater path for younger girls drivers to graduate from karting to racing at Le Mans. I hope that is Porsche constructing a fantastic help construction for girls in racing, and believing in girls competing on stage enjoying discipline with males. Good for Porsche, good for Iron Dames.
