Porsche Motorsport has signed up for an alliance with all-women staff Iron Dames which is able to final for “a number of years” and see the staff flying Stuttgart colours within the FIA WEC, European Le Mans Sequence, Asian Le Mans Sequence, and IMSA sports activities automobiles. Since Lamborghini’s determination to depart the FIA WEC, leaving Iron Dames holding the empty bag, the staff 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 mission started in 2019 and has grown to change into one of many nice fan favourite sports activities automobile groups. Whereas the staff 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 quite a lot of one-off appearances in IMSA. I stay up for seeing what the staff 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 Sequence on the 4 Hours of Sepang on the December 8. Whereas the staff was beforehand operated with help from Italian staff Iron Lynx, although will keep it up with Porsche operations cut up between in-house racing staff Manthey and Proton Competitors.
Michelle Gatting, as a Porsche manufacturing facility ace, will see some critical 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 staff up for European and Asian Le Mans Sequence. In all instances the Iron Dames might be fielding present Porsche GT3-spec equipment towards a few of the finest tin high racers on the earth.
Deborah Mayer, Iron Dames mission founder mentioned: “It’s an honor to affix 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 mission has at all times been rooted within the energy of goals to shatter limitations and our journey is not only about competing on the highest stage but additionally proving that the racing world holds a spot for everybody with ardour and willpower. Collectively, we intention to set a brand new course for empowering ladies in endurance racing by 2025, growing future feminine drivers, reshaping perceptions and encourage the following era. Porsche X Iron Dames is greater than a brand new momentum for ladies in motorsport, it’s a robust assertion that each dream, irrespective of how formidable, is price pursuing. I stay up for seeing Celia, Michelle, Rahel, and Sarah all over the world 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 Abilities program, offering a neater path for younger ladies drivers to graduate from karting to racing at Le Mans. I hope that is Porsche constructing an excellent help construction for ladies in racing, and believing in ladies competing on stage enjoying discipline with males. Good for Porsche, good for Iron Dames.
