Supercars trio named for Dare to be Different

Three female Supercars identities have been named by CAMS in the full line-up of Australian-based ambassadors for the Dare to be Different initiative.

Created by ex-Formula 1 test driver Susie Wolff and the UK’s Motor Sports Association in 2016, Dare to be Different aims to increase female involvement in motorsport.

Supercars driver Simona De Silvestro, team owner Betty Klimenko and engineer Romy Mayer are among the first ambassadors for the program outside of Europe.

The four-person contingent is completed by rally driver Molly Taylor, who has been the subject of recent interest from Holden for a potential SuperUtes campaign.

The Australian element of Dare to be Different was launched at the Australian Grand Prix in March, after which Klimenko was announced as an ambassador.

Klimenko is Supercars’ only female team owner, while De Silvestro is another obvious choice, having in 2017 become the category’s first full-time female driver in over 40 years.

Mayer is one of many females working within teams, having moved from Germany to work for the Red Bull Holden Racing Team in 2015.

She is the data engineer on Jamie Whincup’s Holden, playing an integral part in his championship success last season.

“Being an ambassador for D2BD I hope we can show girls from a young age that there are amazing women in this motorsport world,” Mayer said.

“It’s about opening doors and showing them that they have all the support they need if they dare to be different.

“I wish someone would have showed me earlier how cool it is to be an engineer. I’m proud that I can the support younger generation with this program.”

Mayer says her career in motorsport was inspired by watching F1 on television.

“I was always good in maths and physics but didn’t dare to jump into the engineering world first,” she said.

“I didn’t know what to expect from engineering, what possibilities are out there or if I can succeed in this ‘man’s world’. 

“One Sunday afternoon I was watching F1 at home on the TV. I saw the engineers in their work environment and knew I want to be part of that world.

“After graduating in Automotive Engineering from Esslingen University of Applied Science in Germany I started working as a data engineer with the Mercedes DTM Team at HWA in 2010.

“In 2015 I decided I want to see what motorsport is like on the other side of the world and packed my bags when I got a job with Red Bull Holden Racing Team in Australia.

“Since then we won two drivers’ championships. It is very rewarding to know that through my work I made contribution to this success.

“It is not always easy working in a male dominated environment, but having a goal always helped me to achieve what I wanted.”