FIRST LADIES OF DRIFT

Photo courtesy of Formula DRIFT.

Celebrating The Contributions Of Female Drifters, Organizers, And Advocates.

In the ever-evolving world of drifting, history (or ‘herstory’ in this case) isn’t something tucked away in archives; it’s being written every day. Nowhere is this more evident than in the growing number of women making their mark on the drifting motorsport, both on the track and behind the scenes.

Every year, this list of ladies gets longer, spotlighting the women of drifting who are not just participating, but pioneering.

From grassroots events, to the highest levels of professional competition, these women are changing the landscape of drifting one run at a time.

Photo courtesy of Malikah Daniels.

A Female Legacy Born In Japan.

Drifting's roots can be traced back to the mountain roads of Japan, and with them, the contributions of women like Hiromi Kajikuma-Obata. Once a staple of Japanese drifting culture, Kajikuma-Obata's story as a D1GP and Formula DRIFT driver, laid the groundwork for a new generation of women in motorsport.

Today, early trailblazers such as Kajikuma-Obata have inspired waves of female drivers across the globe; from the hills of Gunma to Mitchell’s Plain South Africa to the deserts in the Middle East, and beyond. These icons include Noor Daoud, the first female drift driver from Palestine who is shattering all expectations and has become the Middle Eastern face of female drifting.

Malikah Daniels, another female drifting sensation from South Africa is making history through her involvement with The Drift Squad and establishment of the SR4A Road Safety Programme.

Daniels is also the co-founder and chairperson of the Greater Cape Academy of Performing Arts (G-CAP) and a huge advocate for South African youth.

“Drifting was an adrenaline-filled way to connect with young people who love car culture but need guidance on safe driving," Daniels told The Post in a recent article showcasing her achievements in drifting. According to the write up, Daniels, “aims to demonstrate that motorsport transcends gender, embodying skill and discipline.”

Photo courtesy of Formula DRIFT.

Driving Change At The PRO Level. 

Few embody the forward momentum of women in drifting better than Amanda Sorensen. Sorensen was the first female to reach the Formula DRIFT podium in 2024 at the circuit’s Englishtown stop and also has an extensive professional presence in other motorsport disciplines.

“The history made in New Jersey was an iconic moment for females in drifting,” Sorensen said. “It’s amazing to see how this moment has inspired so many females to step out of their comfort zones and get out on the track!”

Openly admitting she is, “striving to become the first female Formula DRIFT champion,” Sorensen continues to push the envelope of what’s possible for women drivers at the top of their game. By year end, Sorensen will not only have another full season of FD behind her, she’ll also have multiple international drifting events in her rearview mirror. These stops will include two Drift Masters wildcard invitationals in Ireland and Poland, where Sorensen has the distinction of being the first American woman to compete in the circuit, and another stop in Andorra Spain to compete in Round 4 of the Drift Spain series.

Closer to home, fans have also enjoyed the thrill of seeing Sorensen compete against her younger brother Camren Sorensen this season in Formula DRIFT PROSPEC; a family showdown that adds even more intrigue to her already compelling story.

“Competing against my brothers has been the biggest motivation towards my driving,” Sorensen added. ”At the end of the day, I just want to be able to hang with the pros - who are my brothers and friends - nothing is better than friendly competition.”

Photo courtesy of Formula DRIFT.

Then, there's Chellee Hansen. She is credited with several firsts in the drifting motorsport, including being one half of the first married couple to compete together professionally in Formula DRIFT North America. "I am the first female to win PRO-AM, let alone a championship," added Hansen.

Chellee and her husband Rudy Hansen have built their drift program around mutual support and shared purpose. "We find strength from each other’s courage," she said. "By having the same values in life, each day together is a blessing and deeply cherished. I always say Rudy is my rock and I am his star... together we make a Rockstar."

Another notable female name in Formula DRIFT’s PROSPEC circuit is Kelsey Rowlings, who has been competing in Formula DRIFT North America since 2015, and proudly owns the distinction of being the first American woman to drive the circuit.

Collete Davis is the most recent female to join FD’s professional lineup, and though she can’t technically be labeled a First Lady of Drift, she’s one of the most iconic female motorsport warriors around and an incredible YouTube superstar (see more in our recent Skid Pod episode featuring Davis’ entry into pro drifting).

Photo courtesy of Formula DRIFT.

Tenacity, Grit, and Sensational Drifting.

Competing professionally is a tough order for any athlete and all four of this season’s PROSPEC ladies are proving they have just as much strength and resilience as every one of their male driver counterparts.

In fact, all of these lovely lady drivers have powered through some serious bumps, bruises, and disappointments this season, but each one has bounced back without skipping a beat.

Rowlings hit the wall hard in Atlanta after her bash bar was hooked by Habich’s, and despite the brutal impact, she returned to Round 2 in Englishtown ready for battle. Hansen did some unexpected gymnastics and Davis literally rode the wall in New Jersey, but both ladies showed up with smiles and focus in St. Louis. Finally, Sorensen’s car violently jumped off the dirt in Utah after debris interfered with her all-female battle against Hansen. Through tireless efforts from her crew, she and her car were able to get confidently back into the action for an official rerun that took her all the way to the Great Eight.

Each of these talented ladies bring unique experience and visibility to the sport of drifting, making room for more and more women to step into the professional drifting spotlight.

Photo courtesy of Nadine Sachiko Hsu.

Leadership Beyond The Driver's Seat.

The influence of women in drifting isn’t confined to the driver’s seat. From organizing events, to wrenching on drifting crew teams, to commentating and running media, they are shaping the sport from all angles.

Nadine Hsu, founder of Drifting Pretty, continues to inspire with her long-standing commitment to mentoring women in motorsport and encouraging young girls with an interest in cars through her (first-ever) drifting children’s book series - ‘Sachiko Goes Racing’. 

On the media front, voices like Becky Evans and Laurette Nicoll are not only engaging audiences but making history themselves. Nicoll, in particular, has paved the way in both drifting and other motorsport disciplines, including F1 and Offroad racing. Her presence continues to be a source of inspiration for women aiming to work in the paddock or the press box. Evans is an avid drifter herself in Europe and is also known for her in-the-moment coverage of the Drift Masters circuit.

A long-time drifting advocate and former Formula DRIFT PROSPEC driver, Zandara ‘Zee’ Kennedy, has also taken the initiative to open the door for even more women who want to get into motorsport. In 2023, she launched the Women of Formula DRIFT tour, spotlighting behind-the-scenes women in the sport. This led her to develop an all-female team at HOTPIT Autofest - and aside from her coach and crew chief - another all-female crew in Formula DRIFT. "It was the first all-female crew at a high-level competitive drift event," Kennedy stated. "A first for Formula DRIFT, and likely, most professional race series."

One of Kennedy’s crew members, Fantasia Keuling, also had the pleasure of interning with the Sorensen Motorsports team in 2024 in conjunction with her High-Performance Motorsports studies at University of Ohio (FD’s official education partner). The gig earned her a invitation back this season to help the Sorensens out as a full-time member of their crew.

We caught up with Keuling in Utah and asked if she thinks women have changed the drifting motorsport for the better. Wisely, she noted women have not specifically changed it for the better, and had a few more words of wisdom to share.

“I think having women be included, and in positions of greatness, is where the true inspiration comes from,” Keuling stated. “Every day, I watch the women in this sport execute greatness above and beyond expectations because we’ve always had to fight and prove ourselves to be just as capable…and be valued like our counterparts.”

Photo courtesy of Rose Penelope.

Drifting SIM Nights And Grassroots Grit.

As much as history is being made at the professional level, there’s also a groundswell happening in grassroots and virtual drifting spaces.

Alexis Ormonde of Drift Kitchen and DK Ladies League has witnessed the transformation firsthand. "Over the past two or three years specifically, I’ve seen the skill level of women drivers change dramatically. When Drift Kitchen began in 2018, 100% of the drivers were brand new. So many of them have continued on to drive at every grassroots event possible, tandeming with each other and with the guys."

The growth prompted DK Ladies League to host its first all-women’s competition at Thompson Speedway on July 20, marking a shift from clinic-style events to true competitive formats. "The need for friendly competition is finally here," Ormonde said. "It’s now or never."

In the digital arena, the Tandem Hearts Club is redefining how drivers connect and improve. Their weekly ladies nights on Assetto Corsa have become a proving ground for SIM drivers nationwide. "The camaraderie of the girls becomes so much more than just on the track," one driver shared. "This is helping to create a stronger community and more confidence come track day, which we are hoping will lead to many more tandems."

With additional support from Sparkle Motion Drift on the West Coast, and an all-women's SIM competition organized by Kiana Sherman of New Hampshire, virtual drifting has become a vital part of driver development and community building amongst the ladies of the sport.

What Comes Next In The World Of Drifting ‘HERSTORY’?

From the legacy of early pioneers to the women redefining what’s possible today, the trajectory is clear: women are not just participating in drifting—they are propelling it forward.

Whether it’s behind the wheel, behind the mic, or behind the screen, their contributions are expanding the scope of what's possible in the sport. With more women earning licenses, launching teams, and carving out digital space, drifting continues to evolve in new and exciting directions.

And if the momentum of this past season is any indication, the best chapters of this story are still waiting to be written.