Cindi Lux, WIMNA Board of Director, CEO and owner of Lux Performance Group.

Many college students and recent graduates will be interested to learn that there are hundreds of different jobs in the motorsports industry, and that you don’t need to be a racing driver to have a career in racing. Mechanical and electrical engineering, marketing, business, and increasingly software professionals all have roles to play on racing teams and in racing series. This is in addition to jobs as mechanics, truck drivers, and other functions.

On Thursday, June 27, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) will host a free panel discussion and networking event at the University of Portland in the Bauccio Commons Board Room. The address is 5000 N. Willamette Blvd. in Portland.

The purpose of the event is to help people gain information on careers within motorsports. There is no charge to attend and everyone is welcome. This is a free opportunity to network with motorsports industry personnel. Confirmed speakers at the event include:

• Beth Paretta – Co-founder of Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA), Owner of Paretta Autosport, and vice president of sporting for FIA Formula E

• Cindi Lux – WIMNA Board of Director, CEO and Owner of Lux Performance Group

• Abi Reed – Events Manager at Mahindra Racing

• Laurie Clog – Partnerships & Business Development Manager at Mahindra Racing

 “This event is for college students and graduates, or people who want to do a career change to motorsports,” says Cindi Lux, owner of Lux Performance Group and a speaker at the event. “It’s open to anyone who wants to come and learn about careers in racing. Motorsports careers are more than just drivers behind the wheel. There’s so much more out there.”

The event is part of a larger program promoted by the FIA called “Girls on Track,” dedicated to bringing more young women into motorsports professions by offering educational and experiential opportunities to girls at the middle and high school levels.

Per the FIA website, “Motorsport is one of the only sports where men and women can compete as equals. However, as of today, only 1.5 percent of total licensees recorded in the world are women. FIA Girls On Track aims to increase that percentage by inviting young women from 12 to 18 years old to discover, for free, the different aspects of Motorsport and its industry through a set of activities, workshops and behind the scenes access.”

You can learn more about FIA Girls on Track at fia.com/careers-motor-sport, and more about Women in Motorsports North America at womeninmotorsportsna.

After the event, attendees are encouraged to attend the FIA Formula E races happening on Saturday and Sunday at Portland International Raceway. Tickets are available at raceportland.com/formulae.