Laura Hayes
Sports Car racing // South Carolina, United States
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Laura Hayes is a prominent American motorsports racer with numerous national, state, and regional titles. She began racing at 8 in Quarter Midgets, transitioning to shifter karts in 2002. Her achievements include being the first female to win an IKF Shifter Kart National Championship and setting the 2024 record as the fastest woman up Pikes Peak.
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FULL BIO: Laura Hayes
Laura Hayes is a groundbreaking female motorsport racer who became the fastest woman to race a car to the summit of Pikes Peak in the 2024 Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, while also co-founding her own racing team, Thunder Bunny Racing.
EARLY YEARS
Born on March 15, 1990, in Wilton, California, Laura was immersed in racing culture from birth through her parents Jim and Lisa Hayes, who were both involved in motorsports and had met at a race track. By age eight, she began competing in quarter midgets, establishing what would become a lifelong passion for racing that continued into her teenage years with shifter karts.
EARLY SUCCESS
Hayes quickly established herself as a formidable competitor, accumulating over 100 wins and numerous track records in quarter midgets before moving to karts. Her breakthrough came when she became the first female to win an IKF Shifter Kart National Championship, earning a prestigious “Duffy” trophy in 2005. After being invited to the Lyn St. James Driver Development Program in 2004 as one of its youngest participants, Laura successfully transitioned from road race karts to oval track racing in 2006, competing in the USAC Ford Focus Midget class with several top finishes.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2024: Won the inaugural Pikes Peak GT4 Trophy by Yokohama division at the 102nd Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with a time of 10:20.487, becoming the fastest woman to race a car to the summit[1][2].
- 2022: Won the Mazda MX-5 Cup Women’s Initiative Scholarship worth $75,000 to support her racing career[4].
- 2008: Finished sixth in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series late model points standings with one win, 12 top fives, and 18 top 10s[4].
- 2007: Competed in the USAC Western States Asphalt Sprint Series and began testing late model stock cars[4].
- 2005: Became the first female to win a “Duffy” in shifter karts at the IKF Grand Nationals[4].
- 2004: Attended the Lyn St. James Driver Development Program as one of its youngest participants[4].
REPUTATION
Laura has cemented her reputation as a groundbreaking competitor in motorsports, particularly with her historic Pikes Peak performance. Beyond her racing prowess, she serves as an instructor at the BMW Performance Center, demonstrating her technical expertise and ability to develop other drivers. Hayes is increasingly recognized as an influential role model who actively works to inspire young girls and women to enter motorsports, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and calculated risk-taking in pursuing ambitious goals within this traditionally male-dominated field.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
While specific future plans beyond 2024 are not detailed in the provided information, Laura is likely to continue developing Thunder Bunny Racing, the team she co-founded in 2018, and building upon her recent success at prestigious events like the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
References:
Drive for Diversity profile: Laura Hayes
Hayes Takes First Win of 2024 Season at Road America
About Laura Hayes Racing
Inside Mazda MX-5 Cup: Laura Hayes is making opportunity count
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