The Iron Dames, together with PREMA, had the pleasure of welcoming 22 local girls, aged between 6 to 15, to the Autodromo Nationale di Monza circuit for a unique educational and engaging experience within the team and at a world-class racing environment as part of the Positive Impact School Programme.
The programme, co-created by the Iron Dames and PREMA, aims to inspire and nurture an interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) and Sustainability disciplines and to shine a light on exciting professional career in motorsport that study can create.
“It was a pleasure to welcome these young girls to the team and to see them discover the atmosphere of motorsport with wonder and interest. This programme is close to my heart because it embraces the philosophy of the Iron Dames project: sharing passion and encouraging vocations. I am also proud to see the commitment of our drivers and all the team in this programme. They fulfill this responsibility of educating the younger generation with enthusiasm and dedication, which is essential for the future of their sport,” said Deborah Mayer, Iron Dames Project Founder.
Through this groundbreaking programme, role models from the Iron Dames are committed to using their time to bring local children closer to motorsport, offering a hands-on experience with the car and team operations through internships and work experience opportunities.
It was the second event of this long-term programme, the first one taking place at PREMA’s premises in May. Events were run where the team is located, as well as at racetracks, bringing activities to children in areas where exposure to STEM-related careers may be limited.
The Monza event, built in collaboration with British firm Enovation Consulting Ltd, gave the girls the opportunity to take a tour of Iron Dames and PREMA garages guided by the drivers, who showed them both GT and LMP2 cars, their equipment and explained the safety factors involved. They also met the mechanics and the engineers, before having the chance to visit race control, welcomed by FIA World Endurance Championship race director, Eduardo Freitas. They also took up a sustainability challenge and LEGO coding activity calling on problem-solving, creativity and application of new skills.
The experience ended for the 22 girls with a moment of fun and discussion at the Iron Lynx hospitality with Project Founder Deborah Mayer, and drivers Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting and Doriane Pin. In a field such as motorsport, where innovation and forward-thinking are key, generating true inspiration towards science and engineering at a young age is crucial for the future of motorsports and for sustainable community development.
This initiative is in line with the Iron Dames project’s mission to promote passion and inspire younger ones to embark on a career in motorsport, especially young women, for whom no barrier is insurmountable.
Then on Saturday the Iron Dames claimed the top spot on the grid for the 6 Hours of Monza after dominating the competition in qualifying at the fifth round of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship. Sarah Bovy took the top spot in the session, meaning the Iron Dames pink Porsche 911 RSR-19 #85 will start P1 in the GTE Am category for the race.
This is the second pole position this season in five races for the all-female line-up of Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting. Sarah confirmed her exceptional performance and consistency in qualifying sessions by becoming the first woman to achieve consecutive pole positions at a single FIA WEC circuit, having also taken GTE Am pole in Italy in 2022.
Today’s result also adds an extra point for the pink trio in the hotly-contested 2023 championship. Currently in third position in the standings, they sent a strong message to the rest of the field ahead of tomorrow’s race.
The fourth member of Iron Dames’ FIA WEC contingent, Doriane Pin, completed her first-ever qualification in the LMP2 class. Competing in the #63 PREMA Racing Oreca 07-Gibson, she put her and her team-mates Daniil Kvyat and Mathias Beche in seventh place on the starting grid.
Photographs by Iron Lynx.