Porsche Motorsport has signed up for an alliance with all-women group Iron Dames which is able to final for “a number of years” and see the group flying Stuttgart colours within the FIA WEC, European Le Mans Collection, Asian Le Mans Collection, and IMSA sports activities automobiles. Since Lamborghini’s determination to depart the FIA WEC, leaving Iron Dames holding the empty bag, the group has been searching for a brand new producer to work with in future seasons. As a part of the deal Iron Dames driver Michelle Gatting will likely be promoted to official Porsche manufacturing unit driver.
The Iron Dames venture started in 2019 and has grown to grow to be one of many nice fan favourite sports activities automobile groups. Whereas the group 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 numerous one-off appearances in IMSA. I look ahead to seeing what the group can handle as a full factory-supported entry in 4 globally vital sequence.
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 group was beforehand operated with assist from Italian group Iron Lynx, although will keep on with Porsche operations break up between in-house racing group Manthey and Proton Competitors.
Michelle Gatting, as a Porsche manufacturing unit ace, will see some severe on-track time operating in all 4 sequence. She will likely 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 group up for European and Asian Le Mans Collection. In all instances the Iron Dames will likely be fielding present Porsche GT3-spec equipment in opposition to a number of the finest tin high racers on the planet.
Deborah Mayer, Iron Dames venture founder stated: “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 venture has all the time 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 purpose to set a brand new course for empowering ladies in endurance racing by 2025, growing future feminine drivers, reshaping perceptions and encourage the following technology. Porsche X Iron Dames is greater than a brand new momentum for ladies in motorsport, it’s a robust assertion that each dream, regardless of how formidable, is value pursuing. I look ahead to 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 will likely be merging its junior driver program with the Iron Dames Younger Skills program, offering a better path for younger ladies drivers to graduate from karting to racing at Le Mans. I hope that is Porsche constructing an ideal assist construction for ladies in racing, and believing in ladies competing on stage taking part in discipline with males. Good for Porsche, good for Iron Dames.
