Porsche Motorsport has signed up for an alliance with all-women crew Iron Dames which can final for “a number of years” and see the crew flying Stuttgart colours within the FIA WEC, European Le Mans Collection, Asian Le Mans Collection, and IMSA sports activities vehicles. Since Lamborghini’s determination to depart the FIA WEC, leaving Iron Dames holding the empty bag, the crew 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 can be promoted to official Porsche manufacturing facility driver.
The Iron Dames venture started in 2019 and has grown to grow to be one of many nice fan favourite sports activities automotive groups. Whereas the crew 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 plenty of one-off appearances in IMSA. I sit up for seeing what the crew can handle as a full factory-supported entry in 4 globally essential 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 crew was beforehand operated with help from Italian crew Iron Lynx, although will keep on with Porsche operations cut up between in-house racing crew 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 can 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 crew up for European and Asian Le Mans Collection. In all instances the Iron Dames can be fielding present Porsche GT3-spec equipment towards a few of the greatest tin high racers on the planet.
Deborah Mayer, Iron Dames venture founder stated: “It’s an honor to hitch forces with such a prestigious model as Porsche Motorsport, that shares the identical ambition of leaving an enduring legacy in motorsport whereas driving progress. The Iron Dames venture has at all times been rooted within the energy of goals to shatter limitations and our journey isn’t just about competing on the highest stage but additionally proving that the racing world holds a spot for everybody with ardour and willpower. Collectively, we goal to set a brand new course for empowering ladies in endurance racing by 2025, creating 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 strong assertion that each dream, regardless of how bold, is price pursuing. I sit up for seeing Celia, Michelle, Rahel, and Sarah around the globe racing with Porsche once more and the ‘Each Dream Issues’ motion rising with them.”
Porsche can be merging its junior driver program with the Iron Dames Younger Abilities 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 amazing help construction for ladies in racing, and believing in ladies competing on stage taking part in area with males. Good for Porsche, good for Iron Dames.
