Lyn St. James Honored With Spirit Of Ford Award

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Photo of Jim Farley and Lyn St. James courtesy of Ford Performance
Photo of Jim Farley and Lyn St. James courtesy of Ford Performance
 

Lyn St. James, a pioneer in sports car and Indy car racing who has since become a tireless promoter for opportunities for women and minorities in the sport, was presented the prestigious Spirit of Ford Award as part of the 26th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance.

The Spirit of Ford Award is Ford Motor Company’s highest honor in auto racing, recognizing lifetime achievement and contribution to the industry on and off the race track. St. James becomes the 27th recipient, joining an international list of honorees from all forms of racing and racing media.

St. James began her professional racing career with Ford in the early 1980s, competing in more than 100 SCCA Trans-Am and IMSA races. She won her class twice at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring once, and became the first and only woman to win an IMSA GT sports car race solo in 1985 at Watkins Glen.

She went on to run the Indianapolis 500 seven times, including being the first woman to win Rookie of the Year honors in 1992.  St. James held 21 international and national closed-circuit speed records for women over a 20-year period, including 225.722 mph during qualifying for the 1995 Indy 500.

“Lyn’s achievements on the track are special, but what she has done off the track is just as important to us in defining her legacy,” CEO of Ford Motor Company Jim Farley said. “Lyn, while racing for us, was also a consumer advisor to Ford on women’s issues, including educating women on the car-buying process and how to maintain their vehicles during their ownership.”

Currently, she is part of NASCAR’s Diversity Council, the A.C.C.U.S. North American Representative on FIA Women in Motorsports Commission, and part of the A.C.C.U.S. Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Panel.

For more information, visit performance.ford.com.

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