DirtFish has launched its Women in Motorsport Driver Program, an initiative focused on furthering the transformation of women’s participation in motorsport.
Revealed a day out from International Women’s Day, the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Driver Program is a landmark moment in the 15-year history of one of the world’s leading driver training schools – it’s also a pioneering milestone in the careers of the three women at the forefront of the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Driver Program.
DirtFish WiM coordinator Josie Rimmer and drivers Michele Abbate and Aoife Raftery are at the heart of a program designed to provide role models as well as encouraging and engendering wider representation from women across all aspects of motorsport.
As the driving force behind the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Summit, Josie is front and center in the program. Michele and Aoife are the drivers selected to take that message of inclusivity, accessibility and opportunity around the world through the medium of cars and competition – and that’s precisely what they’ll be doing when they join this year’s DirtFish Women in Motorsport Summit as key panelists in May.
The DirtFish Women in Motorsport Driver Program will continue the School's groundbreaking work in delivering motorsport opportunities for women
Josie said: “This is definitely one of the biggest moments in the history of DirtFish. And one of the proudest in my career.
“The DirtFish Women in Motorsport Driver Program is the next step. For three years we’ve built the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Summit into an amazing event which brings the world’s most powerful women together to help empower the next generation. But the Driver Program is something different.
“We are so proud to announce Michele and Aoife as our first drivers. Michele has an outstanding and record-breaking pedigree on the circuits of America and Aoife is a leading female force in the rally world, a rising star from Ireland with global ambitions.
“We are delighted to have such ambitious names join our program, enhancing our mission to empower women in motorsport. Together, we will work to further the voice of women in motorsport, ensuring representation in areas where they have been marginalised and to promote women’s involvement on every level until women understand this is their space, a space where they belong.
“Michele and Aoife will become role models; they will be the powerhouse trailblazers demonstrating just how far the sport has come in acknowledging the skill, the value and the necessity of women in motorsport.
“The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day is Accelerate Action – that’s what the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Driver program is all about.”
With and without her crash helmet and race car, Michele will be all about spreading the word this season.
“To be one of the first DirtFish Women in Motorsport Drivers is still unbelievable,” said Michele. “Even when I say those words, it still sounds wild. It’s such an honor.
“I want people to resonate with my story. I hope they can see a little bit of me in themselves, wherever they are in their career. I started from being the little sister of a go-karter – my roots were in spectating and that’s where I was supposed to stay. I wanted more.
“Being part of the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Driver Program is an opportunity to show women that the world of motorsport is out there waiting for you. It’s time to stop watching the show and be part of it. It’s our show too.
“I will be proud to represent the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Driver Program on track this year and outside of competition. I will spread the message and the core values around the race circuits of America and on as many rallies as I can attend and, of course, you’ll find me at DirtFish Rally School as often as I can manage.”
Michele Abbate wants women to resonate with her story as a member of the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Driver Program
For Aoife, she’s all about the stage and seeing as many women out there as possible.
“This is an incredible opportunity to further women’s representation in motorsport,” Raftery said.
“With hard work, determination, and the ambition to break down barriers in a traditionally male-dominated sport, being part of the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Program inspires women everywhere. I want to show that no obstacle is too great when passion and persistence are involved. I’m excited to illustrate that the world of motorsport is waiting for them, and to motivate the next generation of female drivers to pursue their dreams fearlessly.”
Joining the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Summit
Michele will return to the Summit for the second year in succession, while Aoife attends for the first time. The pair will sit as panelists to help further the women in motorsport message throughout the event on Saturday May 24th at LeMay – America’s Car Museum.
Aoife Raftery wants women to pursure their motorsport dreams fearlessly
Michele said: “The DirtFish Women in Motorsport Summit is a one of a kind event. It’s an event that, even if you know nothing about motorsport, you will find something that is super-cool; it could be a person, it could be a car, it could be the racing. It’s such an awesome experience.
“The vibe at the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Summit is great. There are some real legends there, like Claire Williams is coming this year. Claire was the team principal of the Williams Formula 1 team! And you get to hear these incredible stories – it’s like a hub of amazing experiences and everybody’s totally into it. It’s so welcoming and a super-cool and intimate setting to chat with people from different areas of the sport.
“Going there as a DirtFish Women in Motorsport Driver is something I’ll be so, so proud of this year.”
Aoife added: “I’m so excited for the DirtFish Women in Motorsport Summit. I’ve followed the Summit since the first one [in 2022]. Going from watching the stream to being actively involved as a DirtFish panelist is a dream come true. The Summit gets stronger every year, and all the content can be viewed on the website no matter where you are in the world.
“Joining the panel and being part of DirtFish is incredible. The line-up is amazing, featuring legends from every aspect of the sport. It’s a great opportunity to connect, learn, and inspire a new generation of women in motorsport.”
