Indy Race Car Driver
| Topics: Women in Sports |
| Interview Date: July 19, 2014 |
| Extraordinary Insights: "Be determined, be courageous. You can't give up at the first hurdles." |
Pippa Mann is a British Indy car race drive.
Her second year in Firestone Indy Lights saw her became one of only two female drivers to be a race winner in Indy Lights, and the first and only female driver ever to win pole at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. She qualified on the front row for every single super speedway event of the season including three pole positions, and finished fifth overall in the drivers’ championship. Post-season, Pippa was voted “Most Popular Driver” in Firestone Indy Lights by IndyCar’s Official Fan Club.
In 2011, Pippa became the eighth woman in history to qualify for the Indianapolis 500, and the first British female driver to ever qualify, start and finish the race - coming home in a credible 20th place.
Pippa’s strong performance earned her the opportunity to return to the IZOD IndyCar Series later in the season, with a one-car part-time team at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing. However in the season finale, Pippa was caught up in the 15-car accident that claimed the life of fellow British racer Dan Wheldon. She underwent three surgeries to her right hand to repair severe burn and tissue damage, and months of physiotherapy. Sidelined for the 2012 Indianapolis 500, she returned to an open-wheel car later that season for a one-off round in the Auto GP Series at Sonoma Raceway in California. Pippa’s return to the cockpit saw her claim two top 10 finishes from those two races on her debut outing in the championship.
Pippa made her return to the Indianapolis 500 in 2013, driving the No.63 Cyclops Gear car for Dale Coyne Racing. Pippa qualified 30th, securing her place in the 500-mile race for the second time in her career. Despite a solid start for her and the team, a brush with the wall coming out of turn four resulted in a broken right toe link, ending Pippa’s 2013 run at the Indy 500.
In 2014, Pippa announced a partnership with Susan G. Komen, the world’s largest breast cancer organization. Driving the No.63 Susan G. Komen / Dale Coyne Racing car, Pippa qualified for her third Indianapolis 500, scoring her highest starting position of 22nd.