Sandra Van der Sloot

Sandra van der Sloot is one of the Netherlands’ most accomplished female racing drivers, with over three decades of competition and five Dutch national championships to her name—proof that persistence and talent can carve out space in motorsport’s boys’ club.

EARLY YEARS

Born on March 20, 1975, in Alphen aan den Rijn, Netherlands, Sandra van der Sloot began her racing career in the mid-1990s during an era when female competitors were rare enough to turn heads at every paddock. She cut her teeth in the Citroën AX GTI Cup Netherlands, a scrappy one-make series that taught her the fundamentals of racecraft and how to elbow her way through a pack of ambitious drivers. Her early experiences required adapting to a male-dominated environment where proving herself wasn’t optional—it was mandatory.

OTHER INTERESTS

Information about Sandra’s interests outside of racing is limited, though interviews suggest she’s kept her focus squarely on the track. In one candid moment, she admitted she can’t drive in high heels and would rather race barefoot—a sentiment that probably resonates with anyone who’s tried navigating a pedal box in impractical footwear.

EARLY SUCCESS

Sandra’s breakthrough came in 1999 when she won the Radio 538 Saxo Cup, dominating the season with three wins and five podiums from eight races. The Citroën Saxo Cup followed the same spirit as the AX series, but this time she was the one setting the pace. In 2000, she moved to the Alfa Romeo 156 Challenge and finished as runner-up in her debut season—a strong showing that announced her arrival in touring car racing. She also sampled endurance racing early on, winning her class in the 1997 Zandvoort 500km as part of the Dutch Supercar Challenge, proving she had the stamina and consistency for longer-distance events.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 1999: Won the Radio 538 Saxo Cup championship[1].
• 2000: Runner-up in the Alfa Romeo 156 Challenge in her first season with the marque[2].
• 2004: Moved to the Renault Clio Cup Nederland with the Bleekemolen team, scoring two wins and six podiums[3].
• 2005: Teamed with Sheila Verschuur in the SEAT Cupra Cup Nederland, finishing third overall and winning races including the Trophy of the Dunes[4].
• 2014: Co-founded the Racing Divas, an all-female team that competed in various endurance events and won three races, featuring drivers Sandra van der Sloot, Gaby Uljee, Paulien Zwart, Natasja Smit, and Shirley van der Lof[5].
• 2020: Competed alongside Charlie Martin in the Nürburgring 24 Hours, a historic race where Martin became the first transgender driver to compete in the event[6].
• 2021: Raced in the ADAC GT4 Germany series with Team Driverse in a BMW M4 GT4[7].
• 2023: Won a BMW M2 CS Racing Cup Benelux race at Spa-Francorchamps, described as a major surprise[8].
• 2024: Won the Italian GT Championship AM Cup with co-driver Andrea Buratti in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for Enrico Fulgenzi Racing, including victory at the Imola round[9].
• 2024: Competed in the 24 Hours of Zolder with an all-female lineup featuring Beitske Visser, Julie Kenis, and Juna-Jane De Keersmaecker[10].

INSPIRATIONS

No specific information about Sandra’s inspirations or role models is available in the research materials.

REPUTATION

With over 272 race starts, 25 wins, and 88 podiums across her career, Sandra is regarded as one of the greatest drivers in Dutch motorsport history and a trailblazer for women in racing. She’s known for her versatility—comfortable in everything from touring cars to GT machinery—and her willingness to champion female participation in the sport through initiatives like the Racing Divas. Her career longevity is impressive in itself; over 30 years of competition demonstrates not just talent but the kind of determination required to keep racing in an industry that doesn’t always make it easy for women to stay.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Sandra has made no secret of her bucket list ambitions. The 24 Hours of Le Mans tops her list of events she’d love to compete in, and she’s expressed a desire to continue performing well in endurance racing formats where strategy and consistency matter as much as outright speed. For 2025, she’s competing in the Supercar Challenge, continuing to add to a resume that’s already one of the most impressive in Dutch motorsport.

REFERENCES

[1] Driver Database – Sandra van der Sloot
[2] Speedqueens – Sandra van der Sloot Career Overview
[3] Speedqueens – Renault Clio Cup Career
[4] Autosport.nl – SEAT Cupra Cup Victory
[5] Females in Motorsport – Racing Divas Feature
[6] Racers Behind the Helmet – Nürburgring 24 Hours
[7] ADAC GT4 Germany – Driver Profile 2021
[8] VRM M2 Cup – Spa-Francorchamps Victory
[9] Autosport.nl – Italian GT Championship Title
[10] Racers Behind the Helmet – 24 Hours of Zolder Entry