THE IRON DAMES INSPIRES JAPANESE YOUTH AND RACING TALENT AT FUJI SPEEDWAY

The Iron Dames, competing this weekend at the 6 Hours of Fuji, took advantage of the Asian round of the FIA World Endurance Championship to engage with Japanese youth. Through two meetings during the run-up to the race weekend, Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting and Doriane Pin were keen to bring local kids and female racing talent behind the scenes of top-level motor racing, to share rewarding personal experiences and to offer valuable advice for their budding careers.

On Thursday morning, the all-female line-up of Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting, driving the #85 Porsche 911 RSR – 19, welcomed young children from a nearby school visiting a racetrack for the first time. The newcomers discovered with amazement not only the pink Porsche, but also garage activities including learning about safety measures, communication with the engineers and tyre management. The Dames also took the time to answer the children’s curiosity about being driving such a powerful car and making a living from motorsport. 

On Friday, seven Japanese young female racers (Sara Matsui, Kanon Takahashi, Riona Tomishita and Anju Hayakawa, Ai Miura, Anna Inotsume, Hana Burton) eagerly awaited the opportunity to engage with their racing heroes. In an event, built in collaboration with the Japanese Automobile Federation (JAF), the aspiring talents had a unique chance to take a detailed tour of the garage led by the Iron Dames, to get up close with the car, ask them all their questions during more than an hour of open discussion with Sarah, Rahel, Michelle and Doriane and to also receive advice on their career development.

These inspiring intergenerational encounters are central to the Iron Dames philosophy. These events, like those that have taken place previously at other races, left an indelible mark on the young participants, who expressed their gratitude for this enriching experience that aims to give them extra motivation to succeed and may lead to a significant lasting impact on the future of Japanese women in motorsport.

It is essential to give young people the motivation to persevere in their passion and to follow their dreams. The Iron Dames team is honoured to have shared this great moment with these young Japanese talents and provide them with guidance as they embark on their journey towards a career in motorsport. We hope that this experience will inspire them to reach new heights, and to be aware of the hard work that goes into achieving success at the highest level.

These meetings have also been an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with JAF team, who is doing so much to make the future of Japanese women in motorsport shine. I would like to thank them for their strong support. Finally, it has showcased the Iron Dames project’s commitment to mentorship and nurturing the future generation of female racers around the world. 

DEBORAH MAYER, IRON DAMES PROJECT FOUNDER