Formula Woman finals

I had no idea the journey I was about to embark on when I began working as a turn marshal at the infamous Sonoma Raceway in April 2021. I started the job during my final months at CSU, Sacramento where I was obtaining my BA in Business Marketing, and my hope was to work my way into a better position at the raceway while simultaneously building my own motorsports marketing business on the side. A few months into my adventure at the track, I was pulled up to the go kart track to help with an event and fell in love with everything karting has to offer. At the end of October, I became the full-time track marshal and assistant mechanic for the Sonoma Karting center and racing school where I quickly learned all about the karting world. One day in early October, Sonoma Raceway received an email from Formula Woman Racing about arranging an assessment for a couple of local woman who had applied to partake in the competition that ultimately lands four women from around the world a fully sponsored season in a McLaren GT4 for GT Cup in the UK. I looked up Formula Woman and immediately applied. Soon after I was confirmed for an assessment on November 10th that included a written test, a media test, a fitness test, and of course, a driving test in a Tony Kart provided by Sonoma Raceway. This left me with just over a month to prepare and while I had driven my own WRX at track days, at this time I had only driven the school LO206 karts two times. Under the watchful eye of Sonoma Karting centers own Diego Valverde (aka VRP Racing), I began training every day to prepare for the fast-approaching assessment. My determination was obvious; from waking up at 4am to work out before my job, to driving any chance I was given, I began to make progress and my confidence grew. There were a total of three women that participated in the assessment at Sonoma Raceway but over 800 applicants that were being assessed all around the world. Only 50 girls would move on to the next round held in the UK in early 2022. The pressure was on me, especially since I had only driven a kart 11 times and a Tony Kart twice before the assessment, but this never phased me. November 10th came and went, and I left the assessment with an unshakeable gut feeling that I was going to move on; and I was right! On December 23rd, myself and the other 49 women were notified that we had been selected as finalists and that the next round would be held in the UK March 2-3rd. It was at that point that I realized I couldn’t do this alone and needed help from the community. With the next round being under eight weeks away, I stepped up my training even more, focusing on fitness, mental training, driving on my simulator, and of course, driving a kart and car at every given chance. I want to show the UK what NorCal can do but need any help I can get to pursue the ultimate goal of racing in Gt Cup while inspiring more women to chase their dreams. The costs of flights and lodging are quickly adding up and with 15 of finalists being asked to stay an additional week for the final shootout, Formula Woman is recommending everyone plans a two-week trip to the UK. Because of this, I'm turning to OpenFender crowdfunding for help. I'm is looking to raise $5,000 to cover my trip. Every donor will receive a signed hero card from me in the mail (if you are comfortable sharing your address with me), as well as weekly updates about my training and the trip. I am determined to make the best out of the next round and would love for you to be a part of it!