Fast Lane Freedom: Celebrating Women in Kart Racing

The world of motorsport is known to be traditionally dominated by male drivers, with women representing around just 10% across all motorsport competition categories. In the past 5 years however, Karting is experiencing a change in thinking as fearless female go-kart racers break barriers and redefine what it means to dominate the track. Let's dive into some of the most inspiring stories of women that are breaking barriers and shifting strides in the racing world.

• Maya Weug

Maya Weug made history in 2021 by becoming the first female driver to join the Ferrari Academy. Weug, whose childhood dream has always been to venture into the world of kart racing also got to take part in F4 championships due to her skill in speed and mastery of the kart. Beyond personal triumph, her achievement signifies a transformative moment in motorsport, breaking down barriers and encouraging young girls to dream beyond conventional limits.

• Juju Noda

Juju Noda, daughter of racing champion Hideki Noda has been a karting prodigy since an incredibly early age. She made history when she became the first karting women's driver to get the top spot at the Euroformula Open Series in 2023. At just 17 years of age, she now will be the youngest participant of the Japan's premier single seater series, which are some of the closest championships to Formula 1 racing. Her exceptional skills on the circuit not only highlight raw talent but also shatter preconceived notions about age and gender limitations in racing. Noda's story is a testament to the fact that passion and determination know no age boundaries.

• Sabré Cook

She is the first and only female racing driver to compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup in 2023. Cook began her career in 2017 through the SCCA National Championship Runoffs, placing ninth. She would qualify to the W series; a women's Formula 3 championship as one of the 18 permanent drivers in 2019. Throughout her career, she has been a strong advocate for gender equality in racing, actively working to inspire more women to pursue careers in motorsports.

• Marta Garcia López

Garcia López is an up-and-coming female racing driver set to compete in the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship. During this short span of her racing career, she has already won titles including being the inaugural champion of F1 academy racing, Trofeo delle Industrie and the W series. Like many others, she also started her career through go-karting. Through her successful transition to single-seater racing, García López has demonstrated the potential for women to excel in various branches of motorsports, inspiring aspiring female racers globally.

• Tatiana Calderón Noguera

Noguera is a female racing driver hailing from Columbia and is the first woman to win go-karting championships in both Columbia and the United States. After her start in karting, she took a step forward into race car driving by participating in the Star Mazda Championships. She was also the first woman to be placed on the podium at the British Formula 2000 Championship. Her start in karting, and transition to car racing highlights the versatility and skill that women bring to the racing scene.

These stories among many other remarkable female racing drivers indicate that the track is no longer a male-dominated arena; it's a space where inclusivity, passion, and raw talent reign supreme. As more female go-kart racers continue to triumph through adversity, we wish to see more girls on the grid ready to pursue their racing dreams fearlessly.
Want to make a mark in the fast and furious world of go-kart racing? Check out our Beginner's Course to get started and learn Karting digitally. We also have a Free Course that will take you through the basics of karting.