Porsche Motorsport has signed up for an alliance with all-women workforce Iron Dames which can final for “a number of years” and see the workforce flying Stuttgart colours within the FIA WEC, European Le Mans Collection, Asian Le Mans Collection, and IMSA sports activities automobiles. Since Lamborghini’s resolution to depart the FIA WEC, leaving Iron Dames holding the empty bag, the workforce has been in search of 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 facility driver.
The Iron Dames mission started in 2019 and has grown to grow to be one of many nice fan favourite sports activities automotive groups. Whereas the workforce has largely saved 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 workforce can handle as a full factory-supported entry in 4 globally necessary 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 workforce was beforehand operated with assist from Italian workforce Iron Lynx, although will keep on with Porsche operations break up between in-house racing workforce Manthey and Proton Competitors.
Michelle Gatting, as a Porsche manufacturing facility ace, will see some severe on-track time working 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 workforce up for European and Asian Le Mans Collection. In all circumstances the Iron Dames will likely be fielding present Porsche GT3-spec equipment in opposition to a number of the greatest tin prime racers on the planet.
Deborah Mayer, Iron Dames mission founder stated: “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 all the time been rooted within the energy of goals 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 willpower. Collectively, we intention to set a brand new course for empowering ladies in endurance racing by 2025, creating future feminine drivers, reshaping perceptions and encourage the subsequent technology. 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 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 awesome assist construction for ladies in racing, and believing in ladies competing on degree enjoying area with males. Good for Porsche, good for Iron Dames.
