Family Time
Working together in racing as mother and son has been one of the most meaningful experiences of our lives. Beyond the laps, it has given us countless hours of quality time together pursuing a common goal side by side. Racing has strengthened our support for one another under pressure and helped us both develop mental resilience and emotional regulation. We have learned to stay focused in an environment where emotions soar and crash at speeds rivalled only by the cars.
What started as a young driver chasing a dream evolved into a truly symbiotic partnership built on trust, sacrifice, and an incredible amount of shared experiences. Along the way, we had to learn how to reverse the traditional parent-child dynamic. Away from the track, Mum was the one leading the way; at the track, she was often working for me as my mechanic. That role reversal forced the both of us to grow in ways we otherwise never would have.
I am incredibly proud of my mom for embracing a path more commonly travelled by “dads”. Week after week, she found herself in paddocks filled almost exclusively with men, often as one of the only female mechanics in sight. She never let that intimidate her. Instead, she asked a million questions and absorbed everything she could. At the same time, she was never afraid to take on a challenge and figure out how to get the job done. Whether it was troubleshooting mechanical issues, managing race-day logistics, or learning the countless details that make a race weekend successful, she attacked every challenge with determination and humility. She is an example to all #womeninmotorsport and as much as she has been proud to support my journey, it has been a privilege to be a part of hers.
On day one I was taught what all of the flags mean. She was taught how to use zip ties. Up a very steep learning curve, we’ve climbed the junior ranks leading to the highest levels of international karting and made a promising start towards the highest level of motorsport. We’ve managed flight delays, rental car mishaps, train stations, airports, and countless unfamiliar cities and successfully navigated our way into dozens of Airbnbs, often in the dark!. (#pearceverance)
The lessons we’ve learned together extend far beyond the racetrack, shaping not only a better driver and a better mechanic, but a stronger mother-and-son relationship. Racing has taught us so much, but most importantly, it has given us memories, life lessons, and a bond that will last long after the final checkered flag.
