The Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto race returned to the city streets this past July. WIMCanada was honored to collaborate with Arrow McLaren, allowing two women the opportunity to job shadow the team for the weekend.
Lauren Ogilvie and Sunehra Mehrun had the chance to meet the team and be part of the action from the pit box during sessions. Lauren is studying Aerospace Engineering at the University of Carleton and Sunehra Automotive and Vehicle Engineering at McMaster. Here is what they both had to say about their race weekend experience!
Lauren
As one of the two female engineers selected by Women in Motorsport Canada (WIM), I had the extraordinary opportunity to shadow the McLaren Arrow engineers at the Honda Toronto Indy.
The last IndyCar race I attended was with my dad as a child. My dad is my inspiration to pursue a career in motorsports and is one of the many reasons I have such a strong passion for the industry. This opportunity with WIMCanada was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. From the moment I met the WIM team, their enthusiasm perfectly matched my own excitement. They provided us with an overview of what to expect for the weekend and then introduced us to the McLaren team. One of our first interactions with the McLaren team was talking to two of their female engineers, Lindsay Falk and Lizzie Todd. Their perspectives on navigating a male-dominated field and managing high-pressure scenarios during race weekends were truly insightful. I took the opportunity to ask them questions about their journey, from school to the industry and their strategies for decision-making under pressure. As an aspiring female in motorsports, their confidence and experience resonated deeply with me.
As a part of the experience, we were granted pit lane and paddock access. This was a unique opportunity as I have never been that close to the action. Observing the team’s seamless operation and the focused collaborative effort of the engineers was impressive. I was surprised by how much each team was able to accomplish, despite their small size. One of the standout moments was the opportunity to sit at the pit wall during practice where I witnessed the dynamic communication between the driver and engineers. The intensity of the moment was overwhelming, yet exhilarating. Another significant aspect of the experience was attending the post-practice engineering debrief. It was fascinating to hear the driver’s feedback and to see how the engineer planned adjustments to the car’s suspension and dampers based on that input. It was fascinating to witness how the car's analysis was continuous right up until race time.
In summary, this was a fantastic experience, and I am incredibly grateful to WIMCanada and Arrow McLaren for making it possible. It provided me with a unique perspective as a female engineering student passionate about motorsports, and I am excited to continue developing my career in the automotive industry.
The biggest takeaway I've gained from this experience is discovering how many women share my passion and interest in motorsports. Having conversations and hearing about Lizzie’s and Lindsay’s experiences in the field, showed me that even though the field of motorsport is predominantly male-dominated, women can excel and contribute just as effectively toward achieving top results. To succeed as an engineer in motorsports, it’s crucial to remain calm under pressure and be open to learning from all experiences. As I begin my final year of university, I am excited to further develop my career in motorsport and am eager for the dynamic and thrilling opportunities that await.
While it’s difficult to choose one “favourite moment” from the weekend, the post-practice engineering debrief stands out as particularly memorable. Watching the engineers use direct driver feedback to adjust the car, showed me how much I enjoy the fast-paced, high-intensity world of motorsports and how well it suits my skills and interests. It was a truly unique experience, and I particularly enjoyed applying my academic knowledge and co-op experience from Multimatic to actively engage in the debrief.
Sunehra
I had the amazing opportunity to be one of two engineering job shadows for Arrow McLaren IndyCar at the IndyCar race in Toronto, all thanks to Women In Motorsport Canada! As an automotive engineering student, this experience was nothing short of a dream come true. The experience began with the chance to interact with Lindsay Falk and Lizzie Todd, two of the few female engineers on the team; they provided a unique perspective on what it means to work in such a high-pressure, male-dominated environment. Their insights were invaluable, especially for someone like me who aspires to break into this industry. They spoke about the challenges they faced and the triumphs they celebrated, both on and off the track. It was inspiring to see how they’ve carved out a space for themselves in motorsport and how their passion drives them to push the boundaries of what's possible.
The behind-the-scenes access we were given was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Watching the team work together, each member focused and driven by the collective goal of winning was a lesson in teamwork and dedication. Sitting at the pit wall during a practice race was intense. Listening to the rapid-fire exchanges between the driver and the team, it was clear that every second counts and the decisions made in those moments can be the difference between winning and losing. Attending the post-practice engineering debrief was another eye-opener. The level of detail that goes into planning for the actual race is staggering. Every aspect, from tire pressure to fuel consumption to weather conditions, is analysed and discussed. It was fascinating to see how data-driven the entire process is, and how much trust the team places in their engineers to make the right calls. Overall, this experience has not only broadened my understanding of what it takes to succeed in motorsport, but it has also fueled my determination to continue pushing towards my goals.
That moment at the pit wall solidified my desire to pursue a career in this industry. It made me realize how much I thrive in environments where every second counts, and where engineering plays a crucial role in achieving success. The experience left me more motivated than ever to be a part of this, where passion and precision come together to create something truly spectacular.
My favourite moment during the entire experience was, without a doubt, having pit access and sitting at the pit wall, right in the heart of the action. Being that close to the race, where every decision could make or break the outcome, was an adrenaline rush like no other. As I sat there, surrounded by the hum of machinery and the buzz of the team working in unison, I had the privilege of listening in on the team's conversations during the race, the communication between the driver and the engineers was rapid, precise, and crucial, every word carried weight.
____________
Through opportunities like this, WIMCanada looks to strengthen the bond between women and motorsports, giving them increasing chances and experiences within the sector, including career development and mentorship.
Comentários