Dare To Be Different

A groundbreaking, high-profile new initiative spearheaded by former Formula 1 driver Susie Wolff and the MSA

31 May 2016

Dare To Be Different is a groundbreaking, high-profile new initiative spearheaded by former Formula 1 driver Susie Wolff and the Motor Sports Association (MSA) – the governing body of UK motor sport – with the aim of inspiring, connecting and celebrating women in every aspect of motor sport.

Dare To Be Different is about increasing female participation, not just on the track but in every area of the sport and other perceived male-dominated industries. The programme’s raison d’ être is to inspire women of all ages and backgrounds to shatter perceptions and break the mould.

To this end, an expansive and fully-integrated online community has been created across the official Dare To Be Different website and social channels, uniting girls and women from all over the UK who share a passion and desire to get involved in motor racing.

Not only that, but five events over the course of its inaugural year will each bring together 100 local schoolgirls aged between 8 and 14 with some of the sport’s leading women, in the form of Dare To Be Different’s team of enthusiastic ambassadors.

These events offer the girls a unique, money-can’t-buy experience and an insight into the opportunities that come with life in the fast lane. Not only do they give the girls the chance to get up close to a bona fide Formula 1 car, but participants are also encouraged to check out the other side of the camera with Dare To Be Different partner Sky Sports as well as enjoying engineering challenges and activities with STEMNET and fitness and nutrition workshops.

“Our main objective with Dare To Be Different is to drive female talent,” explains founder Susie Wolff. “This is an ambitious and long-term project that will build an online community of women from all over the world. It will connect them through a shared passion and empower them to become the next wave of role models, whilst also providing access to some of the most successful female names in the sport.

“Our UK events for young girls will boost awareness and demonstrate the varied and exciting areas of the sport – showing that they too can Dare To Be Different – and will hopefully provide the first stepping-stone for some of the next generation along the path to a successful motor racing career.”

The Dare To Be Different network will unite women in motor sport in an unprecedented manner, with members benefitting from direct access to their peers, colleagues and even their idols for information, advice and inspiration.

There will be networking events exclusively for Dare To Be Different Community members, bringing aspiring girls and women face-to-face with ambassadors, in addition to regular competitions and giveaways.

Set up as a non-profit organisation, access to the Community is just £25 per year. As the initiative grows, so too will member benefits. For more information, visit www.daretobedifferent.org/sign-up