Rolex 24 at Daytona says Ladies, start your engines; 9 women in driver lineups this year
Nine women, competing on four different teams, are part of driver lineups for this weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Yes, that's a record.
Claudia Hurtgen was the last female racer to capture a win at the Rolex. She was part of the Roock Racing team that drove a Porsche 911 to first in the GTS-2 class, and fourth overall.
Lyn St. James had GTO Class wins in the 1987 and '91 Rolex.
Here's a look at this weekend's nine female Rolex racers.
LIVE ROLEX UPDATES Cadillac still fast, Bubba Wallace apologizes
DIRT-TRACKIN' Modifieds, sprints on tap at Volusia Speedway Park in Barberville
Katherine Legge, No. 66 GTD Acura
Age: 43
From: Surrey, England
Background: This is her 12th Rolex 24. Her best class finishes are second in 2018 and fourth last year, both in an Acura. Also has three Indy 500 starts.
Sheena Monk, No. 66 GTD Acura
“Second at @Rolex24Hours sucks” @katherinelegge aims to go one better than her previous best in the @IMSA season opener ahead of full season in GTD with @GradientRacing @Acura with @sheenamonk_ - @MarioFarnbacher & @marcmillershow join in for Daytona. https://t.co/8wkXY0qgG8 pic.twitter.com/bC7qLSFH2S
— Graham Goodwin (@dsceditor) January 4, 2023
Age: 33
From: Newton, Pennsylvania
Background: Was an IMSA rookie last year, paired with Legge in a Gradient Racing Acura. The pair had three top-10 class results.
Tatiana Calderon, No. 66 GTD Acura
Age: 30
From: Bogata, Colombia
Background: Ran seven IndyCar races for A.J. Foyt in 2022. Previously ran the Rolex 24 in 2020, driving a Lamborghini. Competed last year in the European Le Mans Series.
Rahel Frey, No. 83 GTD Lamborghini
A very special unboxing 🩷#IMSA #Rolex24 pic.twitter.com/FurHtUvPXs
— Iron Dames (@IronDames_) January 24, 2024
Age: 37
From: Niederbipp, Switzerland
Background: This will be her third Rolex 24 start. She has six Le Mans starts, and ran a combined 21 races last year in IMSA and three European series. Had a class win in Bahrain.
Sarah Bovy, No. 83 GTD Lamborghini
Age: 34
From: Liege, Belgium
Background: Has three class top-10s in three Le Mans starts. This is her second Rolex 24.
Doriane Pin, No. 83 GTD Lamborghini
Age: 20
From: Ivry-sur-Seine, France
Background: Won a 2022 class championship in Ferrari Challenge Europe. Has four starts in 24-hour races – one each at Le Mans and Daytona, two at Spa.
Michelle Gatting, No. 83 GTD Lamborghini
Age: 30
From: Arhus, Denmark
Background: Competed regularly the past several years in Europe’s World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series, and had four IMSA starts last year.
Ashton Harrison, No. 45 GTD Lamborghini
Age: 29
From: Villa Rica, Georgia
Background: Making her second Rolex 24 start. Competed in GT World Challenge America last year with teammate Mario Farnbacher, with two class wins in 13 starts.
Lilou Wadoux, No. 88 LMP2 Oreca
HISTORY MADE! 🔥
Lilou Wadoux becomes the first female driver to score a win in class, as the
🟧83 RichardMille AF Ferrari takes the GTE AM class victory at Spa 👏#WEC #6HSpa pic.twitter.com/8KtNugtQB9— Only Endurance (@onlyendurance) April 29, 2023
Age: 22
From: Amiens, France
Background: Only Rolex rookie and only non-GTD driver among the nine women racing the Rolex. Had a class win in the 6 Hours of Spa last year on the World Endurance Championship. Competed in the past two Le Mans 24 Hours.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Meet the nine women, including Iron Dames, racing Rolex 24 at Daytona
