OTTAWA, ON (February 12, 2022)- Selected from over 800 entries from around the world, Ottawa’s Erika Hoffmann is one of the 50 finalists who will vie for the 2022 Formula Woman scholarship, with a prize that will see the winner claim a ride in the U.K. GT Cup championship.
The British-based Formula Woman Motorsports Competition is open to female-only, amateur drivers who are of legal driving age. The goal of the Formula Woman program is to make motorsports involvement more available for women and to promote women within the sport as both competitors and sport ambassadors.
“They’re not looking for professional drivers, they are looking for someone who has a passion for motorsports but limited experience. They are trying to find an exceptional raw talent that they can mould, develop and mentor into a successful racing career,” explained Hoffmann.
Fitting the necessary parameters, 25-year-old Hoffmann, an admitted Formula One (read: Lewis Hamilton) fan, has seen time behind the wheel in local Autocross events and has participated in a trio of events in the GT Challenge series at Calabogie Motorsports Park. Able to further develop her skills on the simulators at her place of employment, APEX-V2R (Virtual to Reality), Hoffmann has first hand knowledge of the various multiple demands required to succeed in the world of motorsports.
“Racing goes so much further than simply knowing how to steer, brake and accelerate,” explained Hoffmann. “There is so much physical demands on your body in a car, you need to be fit and healthy. The ability to focus your mind and remain focussed under stress is vital. You need to be prepared to, almost predict, and handle unexpected circumstances while being able to react properly. That mental strength is an essential asset to racing success.”
Upon her arrival in the United Kingdom at the end of February, Hoffmann will face a weeklong barrage of instruction and testing under the experienced eye of the Formula Woman scrutineers. She will be rated on her physical fitness, be tested on such things as her reaction times, receive instruction regarding on-track racing theory and get media relations training, all before the on-track experience even begins.
The winning candidate of Formula Woman Scholarship will be granted a seat aboard a McLaren GT-4 sports car, completing in the ultra-competitive U.K. GT Cup Championship.
“Naturally, I want to win that ride. But even if I don’t win, the Formula Woman experience will allow me to grow as a person, a driver and a competitor,” concluded Hoffmann. “My career aspirations are to be involved in motorsport in some fashion, and this opportunity with Formula Woman has the potential to open many doors in the pursuit of that goal.”
Fans of Erika can keep up with her progress in the Formula Woman program by following her Instagram account, @erika.drives.
Report from Corner 5 Communications
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