Why More Women Should Try Drag Racing – Insights from Robin Ridgway

In this episode of the Women's Motorsports Network Podcast, host Melinda Russell interviews Robin Ridgway, an engineer and drag racer from Lafayette, Indiana. Robin shares her journey into motorsports, which began with a deep-rooted love for mechanics instilled by her mother, an automotive technician. She started drag racing about 12 years ago, inspired after attending a National Hot Rod Diesel Association (NHRDA) event where she realized that everyday pickup trucks, like her own, could compete.

Robin races her black 2001 F-350 diesel truck, a vehicle she also uses for daily driving and farm work. She competes in bracket racing, traveling across the country while also participating in her local Bunker Hill Drag Strip's point series. Despite being in a male-dominated sport, she has found a welcoming and supportive community. She credits mentors like Sean Morgan and her local Ford dealership for their guidance in improving her racing skills and maintaining her truck.

Racing has also strengthened her relationship with her late father, who traveled with her to various competitions, sharing in the excitement of the sport. Robin encourages more women to get involved in motorsports, emphasizing that racing can start with the car you already own. Her advice to newcomers is to just try it, surround themselves with supportive people, and enjoy the experience.

The podcast concludes with a reminder that every woman in motorsports has a story worth celebrating, whether they are racers, crew members, or fans.