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WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Welcomes Erin Vogel To Inspire Students At Hartnell College Science Day
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is supporting the Hartnell College Foundation’s Family Science Day on March 15. This event aims to inspire students to explore careers in STEAM fields. Erin Vogel, a professional race car driver, will be the keynote speaker. She will share her experiences and motivate young innovators. The collaboration began when Alicia Busa from WeatherTech Raceway connected with Ana Ibarra of the Hartnell College Foundation.
The initiative was proposed by Lauri Eberhart, CEO of Friends of Laguna Seca, to establish a Monterey Chapter of Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA). Eberhart, a founding board member of WIMNA, aimed to spark local interest in motorsports among young women. "After attending the Women with Drive Summit in Indianapolis, I was inspired to find ways to create more interest in racing for young women in our community," said Busa.
Erin Vogel is not only a successful racer but also a business owner and founder of AE Victory Racing. She advocates for women in motorsports and has placed over 15 women in race cars since 2023. Her team this season features an all-female driver lineup and a predominantly female crew. In 2021, Vogel made history as the first woman to win a Pro-Am class race in the GT World Challenge globally.
Lyn St. James, Co-Founder of WIMNA, praised Vogel's involvement: "Erin is an outstanding choice for this event because she embodies the mission of promoting women’s involvement in all areas of the motorsports industry." Alongside Executive Director Cindy Sisson, St. James played a key role in coordinating this initiative.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will have an interactive exhibit at the STEAM Family Science Day showcasing the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. This championship returns to the historic raceway from May 9 to 11. The raceway plans to provide tickets for participating students so they can experience racing excitement firsthand.
IMSA has been a leader in promoting STEM education and student engagement through its dedicated STEM program. This program offers students unique opportunities to interact with teams and drivers at the raceway, fostering hands-on learning experiences.
Inspiring Future Innovators
Ana Ibarra expressed enthusiasm about inspiring young girls: "While this competition is open to all students, we are especially eager to inspire more young girls to explore STEAM pathways." Having role models like Erin Vogel share their stories can be incredibly powerful for these students.
The event on March 15 at Hartnell College is free for students, families, and the public from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Erin Vogel's keynote speech will take place on the Western Stage from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is renowned worldwide as a premier motorsport facility located in Monterey, California. Managed by Friends of Laguna Seca, it hosts top-tier racing events annually amidst scenic hills and challenging tracks like the famous Corkscrew turn.
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