After the historic first podium finish by a female driver, Formula DRIFT takes a moment to recognize women in the sport

History was made at the New Jersey Round of the 2024 Formula DRIFT when 21 year-old Amanda Sorensen (USA) climbed onto the second step of the Link ECU PROSPEC Championship podium to receive her trophy. Her second place finish was the best ever by a female driver in Formula DRIFT’s 21-year history: a significant milestone worth celebrating.

Following that momentous occasion, Formula DRIFT Media created a special video to explore the crucial and diverse roles women play within the sport. The Women in DRIFT video can be viewed and shared here:

Among the video highlights is a look at the three women drivers in PROSPEC, including Amanda who joined the series in 2021. She currently sits seventh in the Championship standings driving the US Air Force / Sorensen Motorsports BMW. With one PROSPEC Round remaining at Utah Motorsports Campus on August 29-31, Amanda is having her strongest season to date and the best of any female driver.

Kelsey Rowlings (USA) joined Formula DRIFT in 2015 and is one of the most experienced drivers in the Championship. Piloting the 303 Sta-bil Nissan S14.5 she finished ninth overall in 2020 and is currently 11th in the standings. Kelsey has mentored many women in the series, providing valuable insight to newer drivers such as Zandara Kennedy (Canada) who joined in 2023 and drives the Zeedrives Nissan S14. Zee is already working hard to introduce more women to Formula DRIFT through a program of group track visits.

Behind the scenes, many drivers have female spotters to advise them on strategy, best lines, competitor positions, etc. While female mechanics such as Shelby Crackston at RTR Motorsports keep the cars in competition.

Laurette Nicoll has been the Formula DRIFT Pit Reporter for many years and is known by fans around the world for asking tough questions and getting the drivers’ perspective on what happened on the track.

And it doesn’t stop there. Formula DRIFT has its own experienced team of female staff who keep the entire operation running smoothly, from Casidi Tanaka-Fixmer, Manager for Registration & Ticketing, to Joyce Leung on the event logistics side, and beyond.

“Presenting a trophy to the first female driver to step onto the Formula DRIFT podium in 21 seasons was a truly significant moment and one we wanted to recognize and celebrate,” said Ryan Sage, President of Formula DRIFT. “Our series is truly inclusive. We welcome and foster diversity in both our drift family and the wider drift community.”