Performance Racing Industry (PRI) is proud to present a panel of highly accomplished and influential racing professionals for our 3rd Annual “Opportunities for Women in Motorsports” seminar program at the 2018 PRI Trade Show in Indianapolis.

Taking center stage for this year’s all-female session will be PWC Touring Car driver Shea Holbrook; IndyCar pit reporter Katie Hargitt; veteran racer and driving instructor Dr. Karen Salvaggio; and Cara Adams, chief engineer and manager of race tire engineering for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations/Firestone Racing.

The program, which focuses on the mentorship mindset and encouraging/inspiring advancement for ambitious female motorsports professionals, will be moderated by none other than racing legend Lyn St. James.

Industry members of all generations and genders are invited to hear the panel share experiences, perspectives, and invaluable advice on how to thrive in various capacities, whether behind the wheel, in the pits, on a crew, or in any number of other roles. The session is scheduled from 8–9 a.m. on Friday, December 7, in Rooms 241 and 242 of the Indiana Convention Center.

After 10 years of impressive on-track racing accomplishments, Holbrook has become a nationally recognized race car driver. Her diverse racing experience ranges from SCCA Club Racing, NASCAR Late Models, and IndyCar’s developmental ladder series Skip Barber Racing to professional sports car racing in the Pirelli World Challenge and the IHRA Nitro Jam Drag Racing Series. Her pursuits aren’t limited to the track, however, as Holbrook is an entrepreneur with interests in motorsports coaching, driver brand development, public speaking, OEM driving events and social media marketing, among others.

Hargitt is a pit reporter for IndyCar on NBCSN, but her motorsports roots run deep. She began racing quarter midgets around Indiana at age 9, attended Lyn St. James' "Women in the Winner's Circle" and Driver Development, and graduated to USAC midgets. While attending Ball State University, Hargitt got out of the driver's seat and in front of the camera. She joined the IndyCAr on NBCSN team during the 2015 season and has been a regular presence on their broadcasts. In spring, of this year, Hargitt founded "Fuel the Female," an organization aimed at helping girls archieve their dreams through motorsports.

Adams is chief engineer and manager of race tire engineering for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations/Firestone Racing. She has more than a decade of racing experience after joining the Race Tire Engineering team at Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations (BATO) in 2007, and has developed tires for road/street courses and the Indianapolis 500. In addition, Adams also serves on the boards of several community organizations, including the Akron section of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Akron Council of Engineering and Scientific Services, and Akron Public Schools’ Project Lead the Way, a pre-engineering program for high school students.

Salvaggio began her racing career in 1985 at a NASCAR Winston dirt track event in California. From stock cars she made the move to road racing with the Vintage Auto Racing Association, followed by performance driving Corvettes in high- and low-speed events with the SCCA and National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC). In 2000, she joined the American Le Mans Series, competing in the Women’s Global GT Series. Salvaggio serves as an instructor driver at NCCC, NASA, and Track Guys driving school events, and has secured more that 200 top finishes in driving competitions. She is owner and editor-in-chief of Thunder Valley Racing, and a tireless advocate for women in racing.

Named one of the “Top 100 Female Athletes of the Century” by Sports Illustrated, St. James has set 21 national and international speed records, and achieved unparalleled success in the sport of auto racing. As a competitor in the Indy 500, St. James earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1992, and competed in 15 IndyCar races, including seven Indy 500s. She’s competed all over the world, including the 24 Hours of LeMans twice (1989, 1991) with victories in the IMSA Series at Watkins Glen, Road America, Daytona, and Sebring. She continues to race in vintage races and, most recently, at the Bonneville Salt Flats.

PRI’s “Opportunities for Women in Motorsports” seminar is free to registered Show attendees, exhibitors and media. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to register for the 2018 PRI Show, visit pri2018.com.