IMSA: Katherine Legge, Letting Her Racing Speak Volumes

In motorsports world dominated by men, Katherine Legge is showing the way for the next generation of female racers. Proving the driving talent and hard work will open doors for those girls who dream.

I had a chance to interview Katherine Legge after her Delta Wing test at Sebring. It was intended to be a part of the preview of the Delta Wing heading into the 12 Hours of Sebring. Problem was, in researching her history and talking to her, I realized that her story of perseverance and determination needed to be told. She has let her skills as a racer shine while providing an example for girls everywhere.

As Katherine straps herself into the Delta Wing this weekend at Sebring, she can look back on a career that has had its ups and downs. At 35, she is at the helm of the Delta Wing as it becomes a serious competitor in the IMSA P1 class. Also in 2016 she is getting ready to return to Indy for the 100th running of the Indy 500 with an all woman team.

Born in Britan, she started her racing career in the lower Formula series in Europe. She competed in the Formula Three, Formula Renault and Formula Ford classes. Her success in those development series got her noticed by Polestar Racing in the Toyota Atlantic series here in the United States. He rookie season she opened eyes by winning three races including the season opener ultimately finishing third in points.

The successes led opportunities to test for both Rocksports Racing and PKV racing in the Champ Car series. She also gained the attention of the Minardi Formula One team and became one of the few women ever to test a Formula One car. “It was my dream, I wanted to be a Formula One driver”. Her performance in the testing sessions earned her a ride with PKV Racing in 2006 where in she became the first woman to lead laps in the Champ Car Racing series at Milwaukee.

"“It was my dream, I wanted to be a Formula One driver”"

Unfortunately her timing in joining Champ Car series was bad, as Champ Car and Indy Racing League had previously split with both series struggling to field quality teams. Her second season in Champ Car was with Dale Coyne Racing where her best finishes were sixth twice in the Cosworth powered Panoz. In 2008 Champ Car filed for bankruptcy and Katherine headed back to Europe to race in the DTM Masters series.

"“Phiscally the CHAMP car was big and tough, I was in the gym twice a day to prove I could handle it and I did”"

Leg continued to race in the DTM Masters series until the right opportunity arose for her to return to a top racing series. When Indy Car opened up its engine program to get more manufacturers involved in the sport, Dragon Racing partnered with Lotus to field two Indy Car teams for the 2012 season. One of those seats was to be filled by Legge. She brought the True Car sponsorship with her and was ready to return to the United States and show what she could do. Again fate was not on her side. When the Lotus engines showed up they were underpowered and made her and teammate Sebastian Bourdais cars uncompetitive.

By the time May rolled around and the series focus turned to the Indy 500, the team struggled all month. After disappointing Indy 500 results, the team was forced to find new engines for the cars. Team owner Jay Penske was only able to secure one engine lease for his two teams and the drivers were forced to split the seat time. Bourdais drove the road courses and the street circuits, while Legge piloted the car on the ovals.

"“It was awful, I love America and American racing”,”looking back if I could have done things differently I would”,”It was an opportunity if a lifetime, but turned out awful”"

In 2013 an opportunity for arose for her to drive in the American Le Mans series in the Panoz, Elan Racing Delta Wing. The new developmental platform provided stability for her and a vast racing knowledge base for them. Together they have taken the Delta Wing from a back marker in 2013 to passing the entire field in less than an hour, with Legge at the wheel, during the 24 Hours of Daytona in February.

This season looks to be the turning point for the team with most of the mechanical issues figured out, Legge and the rest of the Delta Wing team look to not just finish races this season, but win. Asked what would make this season a success she said “We want to win a race, that’s entirely possible this year”.

"“We want to win a race, that’s entirely possible this year”"

Looking forward for Katherine Legge, she has partnered with Grace Autosport to field an all female team at the 100th running of the Indy 500 this year. Its a program not just for her but to promote an issue that is important to her.

"“It is a platform to promote to them, especially to young girls and all children honestly”.” Promoting science technology and engineering. There is a severe lack of girls pursuing careers in science technology and math. We want to make that attractive to them and open eyes on what doors can be opened going down this path”.”There are many example of females in racing, but they are not that visable and we want to show them what’s possible”"

Listening to her talk about it you can feel the passion she has for this program. She has her personal management team working closely with the Grace Autosport project to make this successful on many fronts.

Katherine Legge has been through the highs and lows of Motorsports, but has found a way to come through it stronger at every step. As the father of two daughters, I am glad there is a woman in racing like her I can point to as an example of what hard work and perseverance can lead to. I am sure if you ask Katherine though its not about being a woman in racing, it just about being a racer.

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