Lyn St. James -- Project Podium Grant Winners
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* Natalie Fenaroli, 13 years old, Raymore, MO, go kart racer * Brandie Jass, 15, Bryan, TX, mini sprint racer * Kristy Knoll, 13, Amherst, NY, go kart racer * Megan Reitenaur, 17, Miamisburg, OH, stock car racer * Miranda Throckmorton, 16, Coatesville, IN, sprint car racer
Each driver is required to submit an application that includes her driving qualifications, race resume, sponsor information, a written essay on her goals and plans, and what the funding will be used for. Project Podium is a matching funds program focused on young women drivers who have demonstrated talent, hard work and perseverance, and who have generated sponsorship dollars to be matched by Project Podium.
"Project Podium is designed to help young talent achieve racing and business success," said Lyn St. James, founder and director of the Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation. "The 17 young ladies who submitted applications for our first round of funding exemplified the future of women in motorsports. They represented many different race Series and all are dedicated to being successful on the track and in the motorsports business world."
In addition to St. James, the grant review committee consisted of: Vicki O'Connor, managing director of the Atlantic Championship; Linda Conti, financial advisor at David A. Noyes & Co.; Amy Rosewater, sports writer; and Erin Crocker, NASCAR driver & Women in the Winner's Circle Driver Academy graduate.
Current Project Podium partners are: Newman's Own, Grand-Am, NASCAR Foundation, NHRA, Indy Racing League/Firestone Indy Lights, Atlantic Championship, Mazda USA, Toyota, VW, Rolex, and Mike Helton.
About Project Podium:
Project Podium is the newest program of Women in the Winners Circle Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports and helps develop up-and-coming women drivers. Project Podium is a matching-funds grant program designed to empower promising young female race car drivers and help them further their early professional careers. Companies and individuals interested in becoming a Project Podium partner, and women drivers interested in applying for the 2009 grant cycle can obtain information by logging on to http://www.lynstjames.com.
About Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation:
A strong advocate for women in the motorsports industry, particularly women who aspire to the professional level in racing, Lyn St. James established the Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation in 1994, is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to professional development for talented, up-and-coming young women race car drivers.
The Women in the Winner's Circle Foundation currently conducts two primary programs: Project Podium and the Women in the Winner's Circle Academy: The Complete Driver, established in 1994. The Academy has become the most comprehensive educational and training program of its kind for talented and gifted women motorsports drivers. Since its inception, more than 230 women drivers, including Danica Patrick, Erin Crocker, Melanie Troxel and Sarah Fisher, have participated in this invitation-only Academy. More information about the Women's in the Winner's Circle Foundation and the Driver Development Academy can be found at www.lynstjames.com.
