Hannah Grisham is a 20-year-old race car driver from Glendora, California, who's interested in motorsports got started at an early age, soon after her parents bought her a go-kart and she started racing karts competitively by age six. It was obvious to everyone that Hannah was hooked and by age 16 she had graduated from karting to Spec Miata, where she would eventually go on to win the Southern California Teen Mazda Challenge Championship and a Southern California Regional Championship in NASA Spec Miata. Recently Hannah began open-wheel racing, testing with the all-female Formula 3 WSeries.
Some of the nicknames she has earned on the track include "The Closer" and "Hannah-Zillah." But while she might intimidate some of her rivals on the track, Hannah's passion is inspiring more female participation in motorsports through her work with the Women in Sports Foundation and Shift Up Now.
I had the chance to interview Hannah about her career and what her future plans are in the world of motorsports, check out her answers below:
Michael Satterfield: You started on the path to racing at a very young age, 3 years old, what was the driving force behind your interest in motorsports?
Hannah Grisham: Growing up my mom and sister rode horses and my dad raced motorcycles. My parents realized that horses weren't my thing, and for my sixth birthday, I got a go-kart.
Micahel Satterfield: Are you in college or is racing your full-time focus?
Hannah Grisham: I am a full-time college student as well as a racer. I am studying towards a degree in business and finance.
Michael Satterfield: Tell me about your work with Shift Up Now.
Michael Satterfield: What are your passions outside of racing?
Hannah Grisham: I really enjoy camping and fishing with my family. I like hanging out with my sister and my friends. I am also on my school's swim and water polo teams. Dirt bike riding and snowboarding are on that list as well.
Michael Satterfield: Who is your biggest inspiration in motorsports?
Hannah Grisham: My biggest motorsports inspiration is Lyn St. James. She was so successful and a pioneer for women in racing. She never gave up even during a time when women were just not accepted as equal in the racing community. She has also been very helpful to me personally by her willingness to give me advice and time.
Michael Satterfield: What advice would you give to other young women looking to get into motorsports?
Michael Satterfield: At 20 years old you have already won Spec Miata championships, national karting championships, and tested for the open-wheel WSeries, what is next?
Hannah Grisham: My hope for this year is to obtain a few business partners to go with me to the US F4 Championship. There is a huge demand for female drivers right now and I want to share this fantastic audience to help my partners and myself share our brands. Once I get a little more open-wheel experience I would like to return to the W Series.
Michael Satterfield: Was there a moment in your racing career that you felt was a turning point that you knew you were going to pursue motorsports professionally?
Hannah Grisham: From a young age I knew that this was what I loved to do and that nothing else compared to it.
Michael Satterfield: Where can people follow you? ( I can just insert your social links, just give me a sentence or two about what channel you are most active on)
Hannah Grisham: I would say I am most active on Instagram @hannahgrishamracing and my website hannahgrisham.com.
You can also connect with Hannah on:
twitter: @hannahgracing
Facebook: Hannah Grisham
_websize.jpg)
