The partnership with Chuckwalla Valley Raceway (CVR), which begins immediately, will provide driving education and allow participants in the program to get on-track. Due to the pandemic, the partnership will currently allow one student on track to film the experience and share it virtually with the Athena Racing STEM education community through their online learning portal.
“The pandemic has not slowed us down,” states Athena Racing CEO, Loxley Browne. “In fact it has sped things up. There is such a huge need for exciting educational experiences and our extracurricular program is providing that for female students across the USA. We have enriched our offerings, provide free classes and camps to female students, and have built a true community that connects girls in STEM. I have watched our member’s spirits and confidence soar being involved in our program.”
CVR provides a variety of services including track days, press intros, arrive and drive events, film production for manufacturers (cars and motorcycles), video production for TV, in-house driving events, a driving school, third-party events, industry races and has a membership model much like a country club. For Athena Racing being able to host fundraising track days, film education segments, have members train to race (car and kart), and participate in the day-to-day business of the track is instrumental to the program, the group said. Being based at the track will allow Athena Racing students to go behind-the-scenes–and the wheel–to experience all of the job opportunities that are available in motorsports and related industries.
“When I was younger, I did some racing and used to play around in the club levels,” said CVR co-owner Micky Grana. “I found my place in the racing world as a track owner. I realized my strength was to be behind the scenes to support other people. I have been lucky to participate with my members who have raced the 24 Hours of Daytona and other pro races. I love my position of being able to watch other people grow.”
“We appreciate Micky and his team at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway for getting behind our program as a sponsor,” said Browne. “It is because of their generous support that we will be able to reach more students this year in a time when they need community and encouragement more than ever. Our 15 education tracks expand upon what our girls are taught in school providing them with the essential life skills and training in career development that will catapult them years beyond their peers. We ask all interested companies and individuals to support as sponsors and donors us as we teach our future female leaders to excel and persevere.”
