Hannah Grisham

Hannah Grisham is a California native who turned a childhood behind the wheel into a formidable racing career, racking up over 800 karting starts and multiple championships before moving up to sports cars, where she’s currently making waves in GT4 competition with the Heart of Racing Team.

EARLY YEARS

Born in Glendora, California, Hannah Grisham was destined for speed. Her father, a motorcycle racer who’d won the legendary Baja 1000, wasn’t about to raise a daughter who sat still. She was behind the wheel of something—anything—by age 3. At 4, she graduated to motorcycles. And at 6, she got the gift that would change everything: her first go-kart, a birthday present that doubled as a launchpad.

For a few years, karting was just fun. But around age 11 or 12, things shifted. As she put it herself, “I of course said yes and when I was around 11 or 12, we started taking it pretty seriously.” Glendora became home base for a young racer who was no longer just playing around—she was gunning for wins.

OTHER INTERESTS

No information available.

EARLY SUCCESS

Hannah didn’t just race karts—she dominated them. Over 800 competitive starts later, she’d collected multiple championships, including two national titles. The crowning achievement? Becoming the second female ever to receive the IKF Lake Speed Achievement of Excellence in Karting award, a nod reserved for the best of the best.

At 16, she made the jump to cars, diving into NASA’s Spec Miata class. By 2019, she’d won both the Southern California Teen Mazda Challenge Championship and the So-Cal NASA Spec Miata Championship. Reflecting on her career highlights, she said, “The highlights of my career have been winning my karting championships, including two national championships and the Lake Speed Award, and my championships in Spec Miata. Another real highlight has been all the amazing people I have met and that have helped me along the way in this sport.”

That same year, Grisham also claimed her first sports car championship in the Porsche Boxster endurance series—her third or fourth year in the platform. “It was really nice that was my third or fourth year in the platform so it was kind of nice to get that championship under my belt and also my first sports car championship,” she explained. When asked which championship felt most satisfying, she didn’t hesitate: “I think the first year was probably the most satisfying just because it’s like you know first the first championship is always the most exciting and there was a pretty some pretty close battles that year too as well between me and a couple of the drivers.”

In 2019, she also made her IMSA debut, starting the MX-5 Cup at Daytona—a significant step up in competition. By 2021, she’d added another credential to her resume: test driver for Pirelli North America. On landing the role, she noted, “It is a great opportunity to really learn the ins and outs of the industry.”

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• KARTING: Won two national karting championships and became the second female recipient of the IKF Lake Speed Achievement of Excellence in Karting award across over 800 competitive starts.
• 2019: Won Southern California Teen Mazda Challenge Championship and So-Cal NASA Spec Miata Championship.
• 2019: Won Porsche Boxster endurance championship (first sports car championship).
• 2019: Competed in IMSA MX-5 Cup, starting at Daytona.
• 2021: Secured test driver role with Pirelli North America.
• 2022: Won Heart of Racing Team’s all-female driver shootout and joined the team for Pirelli GT4 America competition.
• 2024: Co-drove No. 26 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 with Hannah Greenemeier in Pirelli GT4 America Silver category, scoring 1 win (Sonoma Raceway, first race together) and 4 additional podiums (2 in Silver).
• PRE-2025: Made GT3 debut in the 24 Hours of Dubai with Gray Newell.

INSPIRATIONS

Hannah’s father is the obvious starting point—a motorcycle racer who won the Baja 1000 and handed his daughter her first go-kart. His influence sparked her passion for racing and set her on a path she’s never looked back from.

REPUTATION

Grisham’s reputation has been built on consistency and grit. From karting phenom to Spec Miata champ to GT4 contender, she’s proven she can win in whatever she’s driving. Her test driver role with Pirelli speaks to the industry’s regard for her technical skill and feedback, while her return for a third season with the Heart of Racing Team underscores her value as both a competitor and a developer of young talent—part of the team’s broader mission to nurture emerging drivers.

Media coverage has been consistently positive, highlighting her early championships, her all-female shootout victory, and her recent GT4 success. She’s also noted a passion for inspiring others, though specifics remain limited. What’s clear: she’s respected, she’s winning, and she’s just getting started.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Hannah is returning to the Heart of Racing Team for a third season in 2025, continuing her partnership with Hannah Greenemeier in the No. 26 Aston Martin Vantage GT4 for Pirelli GT4 America’s Silver category. After scoring a win and multiple podiums in 2024, the duo is poised to build on that momentum. With a GT3 debut already under her belt from the 24 Hours of Dubai, it’s not hard to imagine Grisham eyeing more GT3 opportunities in the near future—though for now, her focus remains on GT4 and continuing her climb.

References:

Fast and Fearless Interview (May 4, 2021)
Pirelli GT4 America News (2024/2025)
On the Kerbs Interview (2021)
Shift Up Now Article (2021)
Racers Behind the Helmet
CarsYeah
The Gentleman Racer