Welcome back to GirlRacer.co.uk with my weekly Pit Stop! I'm your driver - Caitlin Shaw! This week I'm exploring a group of women who often get lost in the fast pace of the racing industry. Motorsport moms are there for each crew member, official and driver every step of the way. They are a driving force behind the success of most racing professionals. Over the past week, I talked with a few different mothers in the racing community including my own mother. Sit back, strap yourself in and be prepared to meet some of these miraculous moms.
The dictionary describes a mother as, "someone that gives rise to or exercises protecting care over something else". However, motorsport moms realize their children are in a rapid-paced, potentially dangerous sport, and their maternal instinct to protect is much harder to do at high-speeds! Some moms get nervous and some don't, but each one realizes the risks, sacrifices and work it takes to have their child succeed at the track.
My mom is someone who despite many hardships in her life has risen to each occasion with determination and a smile. When I began to pursue motorsports as a career my dad and I left frequently throughout the school year and all summer long to race across the United States. My mom was the force behind us. She lived at least six months at a time away from my dad and me for the past five years. This year he left five months ago to help me run in the NASCAR Whelen All American Series and this week is his first time home. However, she takes everything in stride and while she has never been racing fan, she is a fan of our family and supports me in my dreams like motorsport moms across the globe support their children.
I received the opportunity to talk with multiple motorsport mother's this past week and I chose the following short interviews from just four of these inspirational women. The first interview is with my GirlRacer mom - Leslie Shaw.
