Jennea Katic

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January 1, 1990

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  Jennea Katic is a South African-born mechanical engineering student who made a dramatic career pivot from international vocal performance to motorsports, becoming the only female presence on AE Victory Racing’s pit lane while leading Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Formula SAE team.

  EARLY YEARS

  Born and raised in South Africa, Jennea’s early years were dominated by musical theater and singing rather than anything remotely automotive. She performed internationally in voice competitions and achieved what most singers only dream of—performing at Carnegie Hall at just 14 years old, selected from over 200 international competitors[2]. But something shifted after that prestigious performance. “I felt pulled somewhere else,” she recalled, describing the moment her trajectory began to change from center stage to the pit lane[2].

  OTHER INTERESTS

  Before discovering her passion for high-performance vehicles, Jennea was deeply immersed in the world of musical theater and competitive singing. Her vocal talents took her around the world for competitions, culminating in that career-defining Carnegie Hall performance[2]. The discipline and competitive drive she developed through years of musical training would later prove invaluable in the male-dominated world of motorsports engineering. Today, as a Mechanical Engineering student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University specializing in High-Performance Vehicles, she’s channeled that same perfectionist energy into a completely different arena[2][4].

  EARLY SUCCESS

  Jennea’s transition from music to motorsports wasn’t gradual—it was decisive. Voice strain and slipping grades forced her to make a choice, and she chose the garage over the stage[2]. Once she committed to mechanical engineering at ERAU, she didn’t just participate—she led. She became President of ERAU Motorsports, the university’s Formula SAE team where students build fuel-efficient racecars from scratch[2][4]. Her leadership caught the attention of multiple racing organizations, leading to engineering roles with Jos Garage, Toney Driver Development, and AE Victory Racing, plus a data engineering internship with Jr III Racing[5].

  NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

  • 2014: Performed at Carnegie Hall, selected from over 200 international voice competitors[2]
  • 2023: Appointed President of ERAU Motorsports Formula SAE team[2][4]
  • 2025: Became engineer for multiple racing teams including AE Victory Racing, Jos Garage, and Toney Driver Development[5]
  • 2025: Served as data engineering intern for Jr III Racing team[5]
  • 2025: Recognized as the only female presence on AE Victory Racing’s pit lane at Road Atlanta[3]

  INSPIRATIONS

  While specific racing heroes aren’t documented, Jennea’s motivation comes from an internal drive that she articulated clearly: “I’ve always wanted to be the best and put myself in strenuous competitions, never stay in the same area”[2]. This philosophy, honed through years of international musical competition, now fuels her pursuit of excellence in motorsports engineering and her determination to break barriers as a woman in racing.

  REPUTATION

  Jennea has earned recognition as both a capable engineer and a trailblazer for women in motorsports. Her multiple roles across different racing teams demonstrate the industry’s confidence in her technical abilities, while her status as the only female presence on AE Victory Racing’s pit lane highlights her pioneering role[3]. Colleagues respect her dual expertise—the analytical precision she brings from engineering studies and the performance discipline carried over from her musical theater background[2]. She’s known for stepping up to pivotal roles and handling the pressure that comes with being often the only woman in the room.

  FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

  As Jennea approaches her 2025 graduation from ERAU with her Mechanical Engineering degree focused on High-Performance Vehicles, she’s positioned to expand her influence in motorsports[4]. Her current multi-team engineering roles with AE Victory Racing, Jos Garage, Toney Driver Development, and Jr III Racing suggest she’s building a comprehensive skill set that could lead anywhere from race engineering to team management[5]. Given her track record of never staying in the same area and always seeking the next challenge, expect her to continue pushing boundaries in whatever direction the racing world takes her.

  References:

  [2] ERAU news article on motorsports and music transition
  [3] AE Victory Racing article featuring Road Atlanta participation
  [4] ERAU announcement regarding Formula SAE leadership
  [5] Instagram posts documenting engineering roles