SALLY MOTT

Driven to Win: Central Texas teen breaking barriers in male-dominated sport

If they handed out trophies for grit and determination, Sally Mott would already be in the winner’s circle. But she knows what it takes to get there and she’s willing to put in the work to get it done, and she just might win over a few hearts and minds along the way.
— KWTX Channel 10 News

NEW TEES!

LATEST NEWS

LATEST NEWS

P6 - BEST CAREER FINISH IN CANADA!

Check out the MX-5 Cup CTMP blog post with the link above!

Driver Announcement with Spark Performance

in the Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup for the 2024 season

WINNER WINNER!

MX-5 Cup Shootout Women’s Initiative $75,000 Scholarship

We did it!! We won the MX-5 Cup Women’s Initiative Scholarship!

After racing at Road Atlanta in my first MX-5 Cup race with hopes of becoming a finalist for the shootout, I was disappointed to discover that I was not selected as an original finalist. However, after some last minute changes, I got the call of a life time. Although very last minute, I was added to the lists of finalists, becoming 1 of the 3 female participants to compete at the shootout!

After a comprehensive 2 day evaluation encompassing on and off-track assessments conducted by Mazda judges, I am pleased to say that I was able to successfully secure the Women’s Initiative Scholarship and become a Mazda factory driver for the 2024 season!

2023 LMR Cruise-In

Sally got invited to the 2023 LMR Cruise-In at Texas Motor Speedway, only a few days after winning the $75,000 Women’s Initiative Scholarship at the Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout.

Next to her is proud sponsor and owner of Late Model Restoration. After helping her make her dreams come true at her first MX-5 Cup race at Road Atlanta, he was proud to hear that she was able to become a Mazda factory driver and secure the scholarship for the 2024 racing season. Here they are (to the right) holding her brand new award, standing next to Shannon’s rare, one of a kind SVT Mustang Cobra R.

CROSSROADS TODAY LOCAL NEWS STATION REPORT

WATCH: Local race car driver makes podium in debut

Who is Sally Mott?

My Story

My interest in racing started when I was 8 years old. In 2013, my dad took me to the kart track in my DR cadet kart and let me turn as many laps as I wanted. Although I was too scared to actually start racing against the boys, he never let me practice the wrong line.

Jump forward 7 years and my mindset about racing had changed. Now, as a 15 year old, I thought that racing with my dad would be a great bonding experience. Plus, how crazy would you have to be to not take the opportunity to race?

I began racing go karts in the 206 Briggs and Stratton class against all boys. I quickly became fond of the smells and sounds of the race track even after I had been punted on the first corner of my first race. I loved the fact that I was the only girl, in fact, it motivated me even more to get better.

After learning how to carry momentum in corners and mastering the skill of race craft, I began breaking track records and winning championships. That is where I decided that I wanted to become a race car driver.

My dad and I decided that if I wanted to make it big, I needed to move into cars. After extensive research, I decided that the next step was Spec Miata. I sold my Kia Forte daily driver for a Mazda Miata so that I could practice shifting and heel-toeing at every stop light.

Shortly after, we purchased a Miata club race car to begin my car racing career. After getting over the transition from karts to cars, I began to win, quickly outgrowing the club Miata series.

We decided that I was at the level where I needed to be racing in regional and national Spec Miata races. A few months later, we traded my club car and my dad’s beloved boat for a brand new, proper Spec Miata that’s capable of winning on a national level. After some time in Spec Miata, I found myself with a sponsor who wanted to take me MX-5 Cup racing.

Now, fast forward to competing and getting a podium in my first MX-5 Cup race at Road Atlanta, I am proud to say that I was nominated and ended up winning a scholarship at the 2023 Mazda MX-5 Cup Shootout. Going into my first pro racing season in 2024, I will be representing Mazda as a factory driver and scholarship winner in the Mazda MX-5 Cup series with IMSA.

My short term goal is to win a championship in the Mazda MX-5 Cup series. However, my ultimate goal in racing is to become a prototype racer in IMSA and win the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

  • Robby Mott

    COACH & MECHANIC

    Robby has been racing for 38 years in everything from karts to formula cars. He owns and manages his own karting safety company known as Ribtect. Not only is he her father, but he is also Sally’s driver coach and mechanic for all of her motorsport activities.

  • Mina Hegaard

    MARKETING MANAGER

    As well as a mom, Mina is a long time entrepreneur of 25 years. She’s built multiple businesses of her own and has created a name for herself in real estate, horticulture and fashion, specializing in online marketing. Mina converted to a racing enthusiast while watching Danica Patrick almost win the Indy 500 over her baby bump, who we now know as Sally Mott.

Follow my journey.