high heels in motorsport: Zane Lielkāja

How did Your passion about motorsports started? 

Honestly, I did not had a choice back then, because all my family was in to it, so we were together in garage, at the track, supporting dad and brother. Later, it becomes a lifestyle, some petrolheads will say that is more like disease from which you can not get rid of..  

How did You decided that You will also race in competition? 

At first, I even told my dad I would never drive a car, never! But all you have to do is try it once and that's it - you want to repeat over and over again.

And then I got to my first car – VAZ. I started training on a track created by my father and his friends near home. The beginning was difficult - tears and many failures. The more I trained, the more we considered the idea of participating in amateur competitions at Brenguli track near Valmiera. I participated in the ladies' class, won several times, so a hook in the lip. 

Then came the teenage years - girly stuff and so on. Motorsport remained in the background, but soon I turned to photography, drove to rallies where my father and brother took part, photographed them and other Latvian crews. 

It was only a matter of time before I sat behind the wheel of the sports car again and went to the track. One season with EVO9 at Baltic Time Attack series – won first place in season at ladies’ class – fantastic feeling. Since then, I really like to go to different races, but rarely, because now I have given my time to motorsport a little differently.

Do You think that women in racing have some advantages or disadvantages? 

I do not think we have any particular advantages or disadvantages. I am always happy to compete with honest men who do not let me overtake just because I am a woman – who give me the opportunity to prove my ability to drive on the track. 

I hope to be as close to motorsport as I am now. 

Funniest thing happened to You in motorsports? 

I am really clumsy, my family my friends can prove that, so I do weird and funny things all the time – i am not counting funniest and craziest anymore.

My moto for life is: “Anything that gets your blood racing is probably worth doing.” No matter what – you want to race with heels on – go girl! Do it! 

Which woman in motorsports is Your idol? 

Susie Wolff. Susie is a former professional racing driver from Oban, Scotland. She made history at the 2014 British Grand Prix by becoming the first woman to feature in an F1 race weekend in 22 years. She inspires many young and adult female drivers and also other women in motorsports.

Concluding this interview, could You tell us what are Yor suggestion to other ladies? 

For ladies who want to try, but are not doing it out of fear, I would say - release the brakes and let the dreams come true! Live so there is something to remember!

Zane is great example of how many-sided woman can be. She is fast and technical on the trach, yet so feminine and confident. 

Zane  wearing RACETOLACE garments

our diva Sabīne Andriksone, drift enthusiast

Profession: Secretary and accountant assistant. Now working as full-time mother.Passionate about motorsports since: 2010.Favourite type of motorsports: drift.Favourite car: BMW E36 and Subaru Impreza WRX.

How did your passion about motorsports started? 

As I remember it was already in high school. When I turned 18, I got my first family car (Mercedes E320 - 3.2l turbodiesel). As it was boring to just drive on streets straight, I went to dragrace and there I started to drive faster. Tried to make some donuts with that Mercedes and I loved that feeling when you make your car slide sideways. Years later I lived in England and saved money for my first car – BMW E36. With this car I started to learn some drift and that is how I started to love this thing.  

How did you decide that you will participate in competitions? 

I just started to go to racetrack for trainings and there I met Latvian first woman in drift - Kristīne Pavlovska (Kristena). She said to me “You have to participate in race as well, because only then you will learn how to deal with stress that you have in competition. And when you will deal with that stress then you will get better results.” So I tried!

Do you think that women in racing have some advantages or disadvantages? 

Well I think that only advantage is that if your car will broke, then many guys will help to fix it. But in race there are no advantages, you have to race better to win. 

Is drift somehow related to your daily activities now? 

Not really, it is just a hobby and lifestyle - I mostly spend my free time on track or in garage fixing my  car.

Funniest thing happened to you: 

Every race and training is fun, but we had one crazy ride many years ago.  It was just when I started to drift, me and Kristena were on the way to Tallinn drift event. Two ladies driving 300 kilometers with drift car. Many hours drive, many fails on road and crazy drift weekend.

How do you see your life in 5 years related to drift? 

I aim to see myself on podiums. 

What is your definition of femininity? 

Look great in every situation and try to stay on high heels. 

Which woman in motorsports is Your idol? 

Kristīne Pavlovksa (Kristena) - Latvian first woman in drift. 

What is Your opinion about women in motorsports? 

 I think it is very cool for ladies to take a step into this motorsports world. I hope that many more women will overcome their fear and start to participate. And then we can have some fun with girls on the track. 

Are there any specific things you do everyday to feel more feminine? 

Well there are no specific things I do, it is more about energy overall. It is very important to feel feminine inside, because only then our beauty and glamour will be seen from outside as well.  

What you like most about RACETOLACE beautywear and which is your favourite garment? 

I am in love with laces, they look magnificent in garments, especially in robes. My favourite is LUX Black Mini robe Power, it is gorgeous. You can shop it here: LUX Black Mini robe Power

Madara, creator of RACETOLACE, says: 

I met Sabīne, because we share same passion for autosport. Ever since she has amazed me with her persistence and overcoming many obstacles. I hope that You felt same way and that you enjoyed this ride!