WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Welcomes Erin Vogel to Hartnell College Foundation’s Day of Science

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca is proud to support the Hartnell College Foundation’s Family Science Day on March 15, an event dedicated to inspiring students to explore opportunities in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) fields. Professional race car driver Erin Vogel will serve as keynote speaker sharing her experiences and encourage the next generation of innovators.

This collaboration began when WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca Communications Manager Alicia Busa connected with STEAM Program Director Ana Ibarra at the Hartnell College Foundation, following a proposal by Friends of Laguna Seca CEO Lauri Eberhart to establish a Monterey Chapter of Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA). Eberhart, a founding board member of WIMNA, saw an opportunity to create more local interest in motorsports, particularly for young women.

"After attending the Women with Drive Summit in Indianapolis, I was inspired to find ways to create more interest in racing for young women in our community," said Busa. "STEAM programs often serve as the foundation for careers in motorsports, and we wanted to ensure we were fostering that connection and building a network here in Monterey."

Vogel, an accomplished racer, business owner, and founder of AE Victory Racing, is a leading advocate for women in motorsports. Since 2023, her team has placed more than 15 women in race cars and increased its female engineering and management staff. This season, AE Victory Racing will feature an all-female driver lineup and a 60 percent female crew roster.

In 2021, Vogel became the first woman to win a race in the Pro-Am class of the GT World Challenge globally. She continues to break barriers, earning multiple podium finishes while driving progress for women in racing.

"Erin is an outstanding choice for this event because she embodies the mission of promoting women’s involvement in all areas of the motorsports industry," said Lyn St. James Co-Founder of WIMNA who along with Executive Director Cindy Sisson was instrumental in coordinating this initiative.

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca will be on-site at the STEAM Family Science Day with an interactive exhibit highlighting the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship which returns to the historic raceway May 9 - 11. Additionally, the raceway intends to provide tickets for students who participate in the competition, allowing them to experience the excitement of racing firsthand.

IMSA has long been at the forefront of encouraging STEM education and student involvement. Through their dedicated STEM program, IMSA provides unique opportunities for students to engage directly with teams and drivers, fostering hands-on learning experiences at the raceway. Their commitment to youth development extends to offering behind-the-scenes access, interactive exhibits, and mentorship opportunities that inspire students to pursue careers in motorsports engineering, data analysis, and other STEAM-related fields.

"While this competition is open to all students, we are especially eager to inspire more young girls to explore STEAM pathways," said Ibarra. "Having role models like Erin Vogel share their stories can be incredibly powerful."

Students, families and the general public can attend the March 15th event at Hartnell College for free from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm and catch Erin’s keynote speech on the Western Stage from 11:30 – 12:30. For more information, visit HartnellFoundation.org