Zandara Kennedy
Drift racing // Ottawa, Canada
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Zandara Kennedy is a Canadian motorsports racer and stunt driver known for trailblazing efforts in Formula Drift and Hollywood stunts, promoting diversity and inclusion.
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The goal was to become the best stunt driver I could become, and somewhere along the way I started doing the stunts to pay for the drifting.
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Zandara Kennedy is a pioneering Canadian motorsports racer who made history as the first Canadian woman to compete in Formula Drift and the only openly LGBTQ+ athlete in the 2023 season.
EARLY YEARS
Growing up in Canada, Zandara enjoyed a childhood free from traditional gender expectations, with parents who encouraged her to explore diverse interests. Initially training in trampoline and contortion with dreams of joining Cirque du Soleil, a serious injury as a teenager forced her to reconsider her path, eventually leading her to discover driving. At 19, she took her first stunt driving class and bought an 80s Ford Crown Victoria to practice her skills, marking the beginning of her journey into motorsports[1][4].
EARLY SUCCESS
Kennedy’s career began in stunt driving after attending the Motion Picture Driving Clinic at 19. She quickly rose to become one of the youngest stunt coordinators in Canada, working on major Hollywood productions including X-Men and Deadpool franchises. This experience provided the foundation for her transition into professional drifting, where she earned a pro drift license and distinguished herself as the only Canadian woman competing at this level[1][2].
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2021: Earned her Formula Drift license, becoming the first Canadian woman to compete in the series[1][4].
- 2023: Made history as the only openly LGBTQ+ athlete competing in the Formula Drift season[2].
- 2024: Participated in Formula Drift Long Beach, the first round of the 2024 season[2].
REPUTATION
As a Racing Pride ambassador, Zandara has established herself as a powerful advocate for inclusion and diversity within motorsports. Her groundbreaking presence as both a female competitor and openly LGBTQ+ driver has made her a trailblazer in the industry. Beyond her racing skills, she’s recognized for organizing women’s automotive educational socials and creating more welcoming spaces in the traditionally male-dominated paddock environment[2][4].
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
Looking ahead, Kennedy aims to compete among the top drivers regardless of gender, breaking barriers in the motorsport industry. She plans to expand her female empowerment initiative across various Pro rounds, sharing stories of women in motorsports. Her long-term vision includes fostering a more inclusive community within racing, particularly for women and LGBTQ+ individuals, while demonstrating that talent and competence are what truly matter in the sport[1][5].
References:
The Pink News: Queer stunt drift driver Zandara Kennedy
Canvas Rebel: Meet Zandara Kennedy
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