Laura Ely’s Advice for Aspiring Racers: Start Your Motorsports Journey Today

Laura Ely, a dedicated racing enthusiast, shared her journey into motorsports, which began later in life. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, she now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area. Growing up with a father who owned a Buick dealership and being a fan of the Unsers, she always had an interest in cars. However, it wasn’t until she was introduced to track days by a colleague that she realized she could participate in racing herself.

With a background in business, including running a successful software company, Laura was able to invest in her passion. She started with high-performance driving events and quickly transitioned into club racing. Currently, she competes in the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America, racing in the Masters class.

Beyond the thrill of competition, Laura finds motorsports to be a strong social and community-driven activity. She has built a small team, sharing a garage and resources with other drivers to make racing more financially sustainable. She also actively supports women in racing, mentoring and coaching new drivers, and participating in outreach events to inspire young women to enter the sport.

One of Laura’s proudest moments was standing on the podium at the Miami F1 race in 2023 after finishing third in her races, experiencing the full professional racing treatment. She acknowledges that motorsports can be costly, and while she hopes to continue racing, she is also aware of the financial considerations that may lead her to transition into other roles in the sport.

Laura emphasizes that racing is a viable sport for women, as the car doesn’t recognize gender. With increasing female participation, she hopes to see continued growth in opportunities for women in motorsports. She remains engaged in the community, whether actively competing, mentoring, or simply supporting fellow racers.

She encourages anyone interested in racing to start with high-performance driving events, which provide structured coaching and a safe way to experience track driving. Laura is active on social media under Black Sheep Racing Team, where she continues to share her racing journey and inspire others.