WHEEL SISTERS: Please introduce yourself.
My name is Nicole Havrda and I am a 17 year old race car driver from Canada.
WHEEL SISTERS: How did you get introduced to motorsport?
Before racing I always wanted to become an Olympic swimmer until my dad brought me to a formula 1 race and I instantly fell in love with racing and from there I began to contact race trace so I could get into a race car.
WHEEL SISTERS: Can you please describe your motorsport milestones so far?
My biggest milestone was making the step from karting to race cars. It is a very difficult step to make because I had no idea what I was doing but it all came naturally and with time it fell into place.
WHEEL SISTERS: What has had the biggest impact on improving your racing skills?
The biggest impact that I had for improving my racing skills was honestly just lots of seat time. I remember one year I would be testing in a car a week every month. It was crazy but I got so much experience and the biggest thing was actually to learn over that year how the track changes and how I have to adapt my driving to the different times of the year.
WHEEL SISTERS: What was the most impressive moment of your career so far?
I would say the most impressive moment in my career so far has been becoming the first ever female to win the Formula Pro USA championship.
WHEEL SISTERS: What does motorsport give you personally?
Racing has personally matured me so much because I am constantly working with businesses and older people. So it is slightly weird when I go back to school or hang out with some of my friends because I have to change the way I talk and what I talk about.
WHEEL SISTERS: Wat does a normal working week look like for you?
A normal week not racing for me looks like in the morning before school getting my cardio in and then going to school until 3pm since I am in grade 12 which is my last year. After school I go and see my personal trainer that I spend an hour and half with working out the important muscles for racing. When I get home I have a nice and healthy meal and then spend a few hours on the simulator.
WHEEL SISTERS: What is important for girls who wants to get into motorsport?
Honestly you just must believe in yourself and push yourself to the absolute limit. My dad always says “at the end of the day you have to feel like you did the maximum you could’ve that day”
WHEEL SISTERS: Have you experienced any sexism during races and, if so, how did you deal with it?
Of course there is sexism in racing and I had it when I began karting and in school my classmates made fun of me and didn’t support me.
WHEEL SISTERS: What are your sporting goals in the upcoming months or years?
For this year it is my goal to get top 5 in the FR Americas championship. One of my long-term goals are to make it to Formula 1.
