Amanda Sorensen
Drift racing // Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Enjoy the butterflies!
Amanda Sorensen is a groundbreaking motorsports athlete who made history as the first woman to reach the podium in Formula Drift, securing second place in the 2023 Formula E-Town PROSPEC competition.
EARLY YEARS
Born into a motorsports family, Amanda was influenced by her father’s racing background. She began her racing journey at age 6 with go-karts, often competing against her brother Brandon, who is 18 months older. This sibling rivalry helped develop her competitive edge, as she noted, “starting young, you have the advantage because you get to do a lot of things without knowing what the consequences are.” By age 9, she had already claimed her first championship, demonstrating remarkable natural talent.
EARLY SUCCESS
Amanda’s racing career progressed rapidly after her initial success in go-karting. At 11, she transitioned to off-road competition, where she continued to excel. Her breakthrough came in 2016 when she won the Lucas Oil UTV Unlimited class championship in her rookie year. The following year, she added the SXS World Finals Women’s class championship to her growing list of accomplishments. At 16, she discovered drifting, which would eventually lead to her historic podium finish in Formula Drift.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2010: 3rd in Calstate Karting Championship[1].
- 2012: 2nd in LVKC Minimax Championship[1].
- 2016: Won the championship in the Lucas Oil UTV Unlimited class in her rookie year[1].
- 2017: Added the SXS World Finals Women’s class champion to her tally[1].
- 2018: Finished in the top ten in the Mint 400 Trophy-Lite class[1].
- 2023: Joined Ganassi Racing’s Extreme E effort at the start of the season[4].
- 2023: Took second place in the Formula E-Town PROSPEC competition, becoming the first woman to place on a Formula DRIFT podium[4].
REPUTATION
Amanda has established herself as a versatile and talented driver across multiple racing disciplines. Her historic podium finish in Formula Drift has cemented her reputation as a trailblazer for women in motorsports. Beyond her racing accomplishments, she is known for her determination in a male-dominated sport, emphasizing the importance of proving herself through dedication and high-level performance. Her background in figure skating and wakesurfing showcases her diverse athletic abilities, adding to her reputation as a multifaceted competitor.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Looking ahead, Amanda aims to become the first female champion in the ProSpec class before advancing to the pro league to compete with elite drivers globally. Her plans include continuing her career in Formula Drift while making select appearances in Extreme E, Nitrocross, and sportscar racing. With the Air Force Recruiting Service as a primary sponsor, she intends to use Formula Drift as a stepping stone to broader racing opportunities while inspiring the next generation of female racers.
References:
Amanda Sorensen Is The Next Big Thing In Motorsports
Team Ignition Official Instagram Reel
Sorensen Becomes First Woman to Podium
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