MARKHAM, ON – The Anne Roy Motorsport Equity Initiative is creating unprecedented opportunities for women engineering students to experience professional motorsport from the inside at the inaugural Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham, thanks to the support of Green Savoree Toronto ULC, promoter of the event. Students will gain first-hand insight into the engineering, technology and innovation that drive world-class motorsport.
During the race weekend, 15 women engineering students from the University of Toronto, Ontario Tech University and École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) in Montréal will receive exclusive behind-the-scenes access as participants in the Initiative’s Discover program.
“One of our goals is to ensure the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham leaves a lasting impact beyond the racing itself,” said Jeff Atkinson, President, Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham. “We’re proud to work with the Anne Roy Motorsport Equity Initiative and give women meaningful access to the people, technology and careers that make our sport possible. We hope these experiences spark lifelong interests and encourage more young women to see motorsport as a place where they can build rewarding careers.”
The experience will immerse students in the engineering side of professional motorsport, with guided visits to the Aviva INDYCAR Paddock and pit lane and conversations with engineers, team personnel, series officials, manufacturers and suppliers about the careers, technologies and challenges that define the sport.
The Discover program is just one part of the Initiative’s growing commitment to developing future women engineers in motorsport.
Five women engineering students are currently completing season-long internships with the EMZONE Radical Cup Canada presented by Michelin, working within the series at every championship event.
During their internships, they are gaining hands-on experience in data analysis, technical inspection, communications and a variety of trackside operations positions while supporting one of Canada’s premier road racing championships. They will continue their internships during the Markham race weekend.
The Initiative has also secured a weekend engineering internship with Chip Ganassi Racing for a student from Polytechnique Montréal, where she will gain first-hand experience with one of the most successful teams in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
“Young women can’t aspire to careers they never get to see,” said Anne Roy, Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame inductee and founder of the Anne Roy Motorsport Equity Initiative.
“When students stand in pit lane, talk with engineers, watch technical inspections and see first-hand the teamwork that powers professional motorsport, it stops being something they watch and becomes something they can imagine themselves doing. That’s how we build the next generation of talent. We’re incredibly grateful to Green Savoree Toronto, FEL Motorsports, Chip Ganassi Racing and all of our partners whose commitment to opening doors and creating meaningful opportunities is helping inspire the future of our sport.”
The Initiative is also expanding its outreach into motorsport communications with a journalism student from Toronto Metropolitan University shadowing Steve Bidlack, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy at Markham, throughout the race weekend. The student will gain first-hand experience in motorsport communications, media relations, press room management, event marketing and public relations while working behind the scenes at one of Canada’s premier motorsport events.
About the Anne Roy Motorsport Equity Initiative: The Anne Roy Motorsport Equity Initiative is dedicated to increasing the participation of women in non-driving careers throughout motorsport. Through internships, mentorship, educational outreach, industry partnerships and immersive behind-the-scenes experiences, the Initiative introduces women students to careers in engineering, communications, technology, race operations and other technical disciplines while building pathways to meaningful employment in the motorsport industry.
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