Elana Scherr

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  Elana Scherr blazed a trail as the first full-time female staff editor at Hot Rod Magazine and former editor-in-chief of Roadkill Magazine, proving that automotive journalism could be both technically savvy and genuinely entertaining.

  EARLY YEARS

  Growing up in Southern California—the epicenter of American car culture—Elana somehow managed to avoid the automotive bug until well into adulthood. She didn’t even bother getting her driver’s license until age 21, a fact that would later become part of her automotive origin story. Her first car was a cheap 1973 Plymouth Duster, and with help from friends, she learned not only how to drive it but also how to fix it when it inevitably broke down. Before cars entered her life, she was focused on academics, attending UCLA where she majored in Art and English, painting images of cars despite not owning one herself.

  OTHER INTERESTS

  Elana’s artistic background from UCLA continues to influence her work, as she originally “planned to be a vet-astronaut-artist” and came closest to achieving the latter. Her creative pursuits extend beyond writing to painting, and she maintains an impressive collection of vintage vehicles—21 cars total—with her husband Tom. Together, they run the YouTube channel “Challengeher,” focusing on automotive storytelling and adventures. Her interest in classic cars goes far beyond mere ownership; she actively works on restoration and maintenance projects as both hobby and passion.

  EARLY SUCCESS

  Elana’s path to automotive journalism was anything but conventional. She started in motorcycle composites and automotive PR before discovering her talent for translating technical automotive concepts into engaging prose. Her breakthrough came when she realized that “other people loved cars and wanted to read about them, which meant somebody had to write about them.” She quickly found her niche, recognizing that she was “better at organizing other techs than being a tech” and “better at writing the instructions” and “having the meetings with the race teams.” This self-awareness led to her transition from hands-on technical work to editorial roles.

  NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2020: Won Best Feature award from Motor Press Guild for Car and Driver story.
  • 2023: Received 1st place National Arts & Entertainment Journalism Award from Los Angeles Press Club for Car and Driver feature.
  • First full-time female staff editor at Hot Rod Magazine.
  • Former editor-in-chief of Roadkill Magazine.
  • Currently serves as Senior Features Editor at Car and Driver magazine.

  INSPIRATIONS

  Rather than being inspired by specific racing drivers or automotive figures, Elana’s motivation comes from a more personal place. Her husband Tom played a significant role in introducing her to dragstrip racing, and their shared automotive adventures continue to fuel her passion. Her transition from art and motorcycle composites to automotive journalism reflects her varied career influences, though she hasn’t cited specific books, films, or media as primary inspirations for her work.

  REPUTATION

  Within the motorsports and automotive community, Elana is regarded as a reputable journalist and storyteller with a unique voice. She’s praised for her ability to vividly describe automotive experiences and for highlighting women’s growing roles in the automotive industry. As she notes, “I’ve been working in the industry for a long time, often as the only woman on staff or one of only a few women on a press trip.” Her role with Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year demonstrates her commitment to advocating for female representation in automotive spaces. Despite being a trailblazer in a male-dominated field, she’s managed to avoid controversy while building a reputation for authenticity and technical competence.

  FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

  Elana continues her role as Senior Features Editor at Car and Driver while maintaining her freelance writing and content creation work. The “Challengeher” YouTube channel remains an ongoing project with her husband, and their collection of vintage vehicles provides endless restoration and maintenance projects. While she participates in recreational dragstrip racing, there’s no indication of professional racing ambitions or formal competition plans for 2025 and beyond.

  References:

  Speedway Motors Interview and Profile (2023)
  Car and Driver Official Author Biography
  Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year Judging Panel Biography
  State of Speed Profile Article (2022)
  CurtCo Media Interview Podcast Transcript (2021)