May 10, 2021
SCCA Women on Track has been providing opportunities for women to get involved in SCCA programs since its announcement at the 2018 National Convention. SCCA Women on Track became an official SCCA committee in May 2020, through the encouragement of SCCA leadership and support from the SCCA Foundation.
Beginning as a group of women working to bring more comradery, community and casual competition to the Solo community, the committee has now expanded into a network of volunteers spreading the word though a team of eleven women.
“The SCCA Foundation is committed to supporting the mission of SCCA Women on Track,” said Tere Pulliam, SCCA Foundation Board and Women on Track committee member. “It’s our goal to see women interested in motorsports have a welcoming place to have fun with cars.”
Spearheaded by the dynamic duo of Linda Duncan and Velma Boreen, the committee also has representation from the SCCA staff with Sydney Davis Yagel of SCCA Pro Racing and the SCCA Foundation with Tere Pulliam. The other members of the committee are Kathy Moody, RallyCross; Cherie Storms, Road Racing; Cheryl Babbe, RoadRally; Hilary Anderson-Frank, Solo; Kerry McElwee and Neeley Sibley, Track Night in America; and Jennifer Schwartzott, Volunteers/Officials. The group is actively searching for a candidate to represent Time Trials.
Each SCCA program has a representative on the committee, and each leads a sub-group that focuses on initiatives and opportunities in their respective areas.
“Velma and I are excited for the mission of SCCA Women on Track to expand involvement of women in all facets of SCCA programs as drivers, volunteers and leadership,” Duncan said. “The coordination between the committee, the SCCA Foundation, and SCCA Inc., has allowed for us to streamline our process for both new and existing supporters.”
As a group, the committee hopes to further promote women currently participating in motorsports and bring together others who have not yet made the leap. The committee meets monthly to identify barriers and challenges women face, share solutions and discuss how to help engage and grow programs at both Regional and National levels.
One of the earliest initiatives—the SCCA Women on Track Facebook group—helps bridge the communication gap by providing women in motorsports a safe and welcoming environment where they can connect and engage, ask questions, and learn about SCCA programs and motorsports in general. The online group also serves as a place to celebrate the successes of women in motorsports across all programs.
Other initiatives, like the Wendi Allen Scholarship Fund, have been assisting female Solo participants for years. Now, with the assistance of local Regions and Divisions, the Women on Track committee is helping ladies get behind the wheel and earn their Road Racing Full Competition License.
“The expansion of scholarships to Road Racing is still in the beginning stages,” Boreen added. “The enthusiasm of the Women on Track committee and our supporters has opened doors that will get more ladies in the cockpit for wheel-to-wheel competition.”
Three Road Racing scholarships have been presented since 2020, and the committee is actively creating a formal application process with the hope of granting three more before the end of this year. Progress has also been made on scholarships for volunteers/officials interested in participating at the 2021 SCCA National Championship Runoffs at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Additional initiatives are in the planning stages for other program areas and will be announced later this year.
