YORK COUNTY, Pa. — It’s not often you see a woman driver racing out on the dirt track but the No. 21 Super Sportsman driver for Rickert Racing hasbeen involved in the sport for over a decade.
"We love it. We wouldn't be here on the 90 degree nights sweating our butts off if we didn't love it, but it's it's what we do," said Jamie Rickert.
Rickert started her racing journey in go-kart racing some 13-years-ago. Her dad has always been involved in racing and can be the one to blame for giving her the racing bug. He is know by her side, to help her achieve her racing goals.
"We're still learning a lot so far but we have a great time doing it," said Rickert. "That's really what it's about for us, [it's] something that we get to do together."
Rickert now races in the Super Sportsman division and has become an inspiration for the young girls looking to follow her footsteps.
"A lot of girls think they can't do it or it's too hard," said Rickert. "And they can have just as much fun as a male. And it's inspiring for especially a lot of the young girls you see here, they think it's the coolest thing ever."
The race tracks are also doing their part to help. BAPS Motor Speedway held its ladies night on Saturday in an effort to get more women exposed and involved in the sport.
"At BAPS Motor Speedway, we're all about families, kids bringing new fans to the track. There's a lot of other options going on every weekend. So we tried to come up with ways that moms grandmothers, women who might not necessarily know about motorsports are invited to come in," said April Clark, communications director for BAPS Motor Speedway.
They hope events like these can light the spark for the next generation of women involved in the sport.
"Girls can start in any kind of division here in central Pennsylvania, there's so many options," said Clark.
Whether it’s becoming a fan, working in the pits, helping out at the track or getting behind the wheel, the special racing community will help you get there.
"If they can connect with any of our drivers or any of our race teams or even if meeting some of the new fans that are sitting around them. That's going to help bring them back to the Speedway and they're just going to continue to grow those relationships," said Clark. "It starts with just meeting the right people and this is a great place to do it."
A racing journey that can begin with the right people, and the right go for it attitude.
"These have been some of the best years of our life. It [does not] matter I was a female in any of those years," said Rickert. "I would say if you want to do it, you have a love for racing. Just give it a try. What do you have to lose?"