This June at ProFormance, women saw what’s possible when they get together and step on the gas.
If there’s one event that epitomizes ProFormance Racing School’s mission, it’s the annual Women Setting the Pace celebration. This June 26 and 27th Pacific Raceways saw women of different ages from many backgrounds come together in the service of speed, excitement, and the search for new possibilities in their lives. For two days women came together to drive, talk cars, find new driving and driving-related business opportunities, and most of all, get assurance that women can and do thrive in motorsport.
It’s all about the ride
Cars and driving were a major part or the draw of Women Setting the Pace. Experienced drivers lapped Pacific Raceways at speed, and novices got a chance to find out what sport driving is all about, learning from some of the finest racing instructors in the Northwest.
Exotic cars were on view, and thrill rides were available for those who wanted to let the pros do the driving.
Notables at the mic
and Siena Kitch, firing up the troops
One highlight of the event was a panel of speakers, all of them leading voices in women’s motorsports. Cindy Cisson, Executive Director of Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA), Beth Paretta, WIMNA’s founder, and Donna Porada-Kitch, ProFormance Racing School’s Chief of Operations and longtime advocate for putting women in the driver’s seat. The moderator was Donna’s daughter Siena Kitch, ProFormance’s Director of Marketing and an enthusiastic driver and ProFormance booster.
The speakers explained how they got started driving and then went on to take leadership in the field. More than just information, Cindy, Beth, Donna, and Siena provided inspiration to the audience, many of whom were new to the sport and wondering how to fit in and test their mettle on the road.
Putting their foot down
And test their mettle they did. New drivers got the chance to advance their driving skills with performance driving exercises involving braking, steering and car control. They also got a chance to lap the renowned Pacific Raceways track. Advanced drivers took their turn to lap as well.
As usual, many of the novices were determined not to stay novices. Donna was not surprised. “Literally one week later, one of the women from the event came back,” she says. “Others came back to get solo upgraded, or to do twilight lapping. A few asked about race licensing. That’s a pretty big step up — you’re putting yourself in competition. It says a lot about how committed they are to their sport.”
For Donna, the best part of Women Setting the Pace was connecting up the participants. “I know all these amazing women. It makes me happy to see them getting to know each other.” The event is a place where smart and ambitious women can meet other like-minded women and share ideas and opportunities.
And if they didn’t come specifically for the swag, they certainly got some. Plenty of door prizes were handed out, and everyone went home with something.
Making it happen for everyone
Part of ProFormance’s mission — and WIMNA’s — is to give opportunities for young women who want to get into the sport. Scholarships are part of that. One young attendee, Ava, is headed to engineering school with a focus on automotive. Before she headed back to school, ProFormance gave her a scholarship to qualify for solo driving. A car was provided by Karin, who took an interest in a lively new recruit.
While Ava has one happy memory of ProFormance, hers is not the only one. No less than 10 of the 85 women who attended Women Setting the Pace were back for programs in the following week.
See you next year
“We were happy about how things went, and so were the sponsors. A lot of our partners are back for next year,” Donna says. “I feel really good we’ve had Park Place LTD for 20 years. We also have Porsche Bellevue, and a new sponsor, Porsche Seattle North.” Other sponsors include WIMNA, which has named Pacific Raceways an official WIMNA track, and Chicane, the racing shoe company whose founder John Connolly was in attendance.
Thanks to all the exceptional people who attended Women Setting the Pace: the amazing women, the supportive men, the generous sponsors, and everyone who helps the cause of making motorsport more welcoming for 51 percent of the population.
