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 Collection, Asian Le Mans Collection, and IMSA sports activities vehicles. Since Lamborghini’s resolution 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 shall be promoted to official Porsche manufacturing facility driver.
The Iron Dames mission started in 2019 and has grown to turn out to be one of many nice fan favourite sports activities automotive 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 a number of other additional podium finishes, it has participated in 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 vital 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 staff was beforehand operated with assist from Italian staff Iron Lynx, although will keep on 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 severe on-track time working in all 4 collection. She shall 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 Collection. In all instances the Iron Dames shall be fielding present Porsche GT3-spec equipment towards a number of the greatest tin prime racers on the earth.
Deborah Mayer, Iron Dames mission 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 mission has at all times been rooted within the energy of desires to shatter limitations and our journey is not only about competing on the highest degree but additionally proving that the racing world holds a spot for everybody with ardour and dedication. Collectively, we goal to set a brand new course for empowering ladies in endurance racing by 2025, growing future feminine drivers, reshaping perceptions and encourage the subsequent era. Porsche X Iron Dames is greater than a brand new momentum for girls in motorsport, it’s a strong assertion that each dream, irrespective of how bold, is value pursuing. I stay 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 shall be merging its junior driver program with the Iron Dames Younger Skills 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 assist construction for girls in racing, and believing in ladies competing on degree taking part in area with males. Good for Porsche, good for Iron Dames.
