Margaret Sharron is an American rally and hillclimb racer who started stage rally racing at 46 and went on to break the all-time women’s record at Mount Washington’s legendary Climb to the Clouds—while building one of the most beloved grassroots motorsports teams in New England alongside her husband, Emmanuel Cecchet.

EARLY YEARS

Margaret Sharron came to motorsports later than most, diving into stage rally racing in 2016 at the age of 46. Her first event was Black River Stages, and she hasn’t looked back since. Before strapping into a rally car, she had been hillclimbing for years with the New England Hillclimb Association (NEHA), honing her skills on some of the most technical and unforgiving roads in the region. Her story took a romantic turn when she met Emmanuel Cecchet, a Frenchman, in Europe. The two began a long-distance relationship that eventually led to marriage—and the birth of Frog Racing, their team that would become a fixture in New England motorsports. The team name itself is a playful nod to their love story: the French Frog and the American Princess.

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond rally and hillclimb, Sharron competes in wheel-to-wheel ice racing, proving her appetite for competition extends across multiple disciplines. She’s known for her approachable, all-inclusive attitude toward the sport, making Frog Racing a welcoming presence in the paddock.

EARLY SUCCESS

Sharron’s rally career gained momentum quickly. She has completed over 20 rallies, most of them in Canada, and her speed and confidence improved significantly once she found consistency with co-driver Jennie Holden. In 2018, she came in 3rd place overall in the L4WD class for the ARA Eastern Division Championship. By 2022, she had her most satisfying win yet: finishing 1st in L4WD class at the New England Forest Rally (NEFR)—beating her own husband in the process. She pilots a 2004 Subaru WRX STI affectionately nicknamed “PrincesSTI,” which Frog Racing purchased in 2015 from a fellow hillclimb racer. The car came stock except for a cage, and the team has been modifying and racing it ever since.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2016: Started stage rally racing at age 46 with Black River Stages[1].
• 2018: Finished 3rd place overall in L4WD class, ARA Eastern Division Championship[2].
• 2018: Awarded the Wheeling Award by NEHA alongside the PrincesSTI[3].
• 2021: Broke the all-time record for fastest woman at Mount Washington Climb to the Clouds with co-driver Jennie Holden, finishing in 7:27.869—over a minute faster than their 2017 time[4].
• 2022: Finished 1st in L4WD class at New England Forest Rally, beating her husband Emmanuel Cecchet[5].

INSPIRATIONS

Information not available.

REPUTATION

Sharron and Frog Racing are beloved in the New England motorsports community for their grassroots spirit, humor, and inclusivity. The team’s Princess and Frog theme—her PrincesSTI and his FrogSTIr—has become iconic in the region. Their story, rooted in a transatlantic love affair and a shared passion for driving fast on dirt and pavement, is well-known and widely celebrated. DirtFish has called them “America’s all-inclusive rally team,” a reputation they’ve earned through years of welcoming newcomers, supporting fellow racers, and simply being fun to be around. The Wheeling Award they received in 2018 from NEHA is a tongue-in-cheek honor recognizing memorable moments and contributions to the hillclimb community—proof that Sharron’s impact goes beyond lap times.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Margaret Sharron is preparing to lead the first-ever all-women team at both Pikes Peak International Hill Climb and Mount Washington’s Climb to the Clouds in 2026. She’ll be racing a custom-built Audi RS4 rally/hillclimb car, aiming to beat her own record as the fastest woman ever up Mount Washington. Frog Racing has announced its commitment to bringing this groundbreaking all-women team to both legendary events, marking a significant milestone for female representation in American hillclimb racing.

REFERENCES

[1] Canadian Rally Championship – Margaret Sharron
[2] Canadian Rally Championship – Margaret Sharron
[3] NEHA Wheeling Award
[4] Mt Washington Climb to the Clouds 2021 – Frog Racing
[5] Canadian Rally Championship – Margaret Sharron
DirtFish – Meet Frog Racing
Frog Racing Official Website
Pikes Peak – Behind the Wheel: Emmanuel Cecchet
Audi Club North America – Frog Racing’s Preparations
Rally Racing News – Mount Washington 2021 Results