Dare to Be Different (organisation)

Dare to be Different is a nonprofit organisation founded by former racing driver Susie Wolff and the CEO of the Motor Sports Association Rob Jones in 2016. The organisation aims to increase the participation of women in all forms of motor racing and change the views of women in perceived male-dominated industries. Dare to be Different holds events throughout the United Kingdom and invites local school girls between the ages of eight to fourteen to partake in motor racing related activities.

History

Dare to be Different was founded by former racing driver Susie Wolff and the CEO of the Motor Sports Association Rob Jones after Wolff called Jones and the latter became enthusiastic over the project.[1] The initiative was officially launched at the Autosport International show held at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on 14 January 2016.[2] At the time women made up 5% of racing drivers in the United Kingdom.[3] Upon its launch, Wolff stressed to the press that the organisation was something that was to be expanded in the long term rather than being disbanded after a short period of time.[4] In 2016, Dare to be Different held five events throughout the United Kingdom to promote their cause.[1]

Activities

Dare to be Different is a nonprofit organisation whose primary objective is aimed at increasing the participation of women in all forms of motor racing regardless of age and background. It also desires to change the views of women in perceived male-dominated industries. The organisation achieved this objective by establishing an online community through social media and its official website. Dare to be Different invites local school girls between the ages of eight to fourteen to its events and are educated by women involved in motor racing.[5][6] Activities that attendees are allowed to partake include kart racing, the importance of fitness, nutrition and diet,[4] engineering, media etiquette and a tyre switch pit stop challenge.[3] The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network Ambassadors charity assisted in helping Dare to be Different members in constructing a hovercraft in the organisation's first year.[7] In 2019, Dare to Be Different teamed up with the FIA Women in Motorsport Commission to launch the grassroots FIA Girls on Track – Dare to be Different aiming to encourage and influence girls utilising educational activities on motor racing-related careers.[8]

Ambassadors of Dare to be Different include Alice Powell, the first woman driver to score a point in the GP3 Series, the deputy team principal of Williams Grand Prix Engineering Claire Williams, Sky Sports News HQ reporter Rachel Brooks,[2] and strategy engineer Ruth Buscombe.[9]

References
  1. "Former F1 driver Susie Wolff and MSA UK launch Dare to be Different with first event". Auto+Women in Motor Sport (10): 10–11. May 2016. Archived from the original on 20 September 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  2. Esler, William (15 January 2016). "Susie Wolff's Dare To Be Different aims for more females in motorsport". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  3. Yates, Jonathan (15 April 2016). "Surrey schoolgirls race ahead in F1 style campaign". Birmingham Mail. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  4. Benson, Andrew (14 January 2016). "Susie Wolff: Ex-F1 test driver aims to 'empower' women in motorsport". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 25 October 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  5. "A groundbreaking, high-profile new initiative spearheaded by former Formula 1 driver Susie Wolff and the MSA". WISE Campaign. 31 May 2016. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  6. "F1 driver Susie Wolff and MSA launch Dare To Be Different to encourage more women into motor sports". wearethecity.com. 11 July 2016. Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  7. Sylt, Christian (17 April 2016). "Formula One's New Female Role Models". Forbes. p. 1. Archived from the original on 8 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  8. Errington, Tom (16 February 2019). "Susie Wolff's Dare to be Different in new project with FIA". Autosport. Retrieved 19 December 2020.
  9. Bray, Gemma (12 February 2016). "Ruth Buscombe becomes an Ambassador for Dare to be Different". The Checkered Flag. Archived from the original on 13 June 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
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