Each of the three award winners receives a $1,500 scholarship to assist with travel to Tire Rack National Solo events and the Tire Rack SCCA Solo National Championships. Additionally, each receives free entries to any Tire Rack National Solo events throughout the 2022 season.
The 2022 recipients are:
- Maia Kirk, Cal Club Region
- Layne Lindemann, Atlanta Region
- Chelsea Tattershall, Colorado Region
The scholarship fund was created to encourage women from SCCA’s Solo community to become more successful drivers and contributing members of the SCCA, the organization said. Named and established by the family of Wendi Allen, the scholarship honors the multi-time Solo National Champion.
The SCCA provided the following biographies about each winner:
Kirk watched her husband autocross for four years before finally getting behind the wheel, where she was immediately hooked. A staple at Southern California events after acquiring a Toyota FR-S in February 2021, she has plans for her rookie appearance at the Solo National Championships this season. The scholarship will certainly offset the travel costs from the West Coast for Kirk.
Lindemann got her autocross start in 2019 after an introduction to the sport from a neighbor. She jumped into the Regional program with full force, and quickly found her way to the Solo National Championships for the first time in 2021 in a Honda Civic Type R, where a pesky cone on the final run kept her from the podium. She plans to use this scholarship opportunity to “push herself to the next level” as a driver.
Tattershall has already begun promoting SCCA autocross to other female drivers after three years behind the wheel herself. Serving as the chief of workers for both the Colorado Region and Continental Divide Region’s programs, she’s made a commitment to herself to take a step forward as a driver during the 2022 season in a Mazda Miata.
For the fifth consecutive year, Mazda Motorsports has provided funding for one of the annual scholarships to a competitor who plans to compete in a Mazda this season. That award was Tattershall’s for 2022. The other two scholarships awarded for 2022 are funded by the SCCA Foundation.
“Wendi Allen not only pushed herself to compete at a high level, she gave generously of her time and business skills to the Club and her Region,” said Jeff Jacobs, chairman of the SCCA Foundation. “This year’s three awardees exemplify the spirit of competition and leadership that Wendi brought to the SCCA.
“This scholarship program is an important part of our stewardship of the Club for future generations. The number of nominees and the extraordinary stories for each of them may have made the selection process especially tough for the committee, but it is a testament to the growing success of the intentional, welcoming environment we are creating for women competitors, leaders and members.”
SCCA members can go to their My SCCA membership portal to make a donation.
