Erin Vogel has been named as President of the groundbreaking organization Shift Up Now, as she continues her mission of inspiring and supporting fellow female athletes.
Shift Up Now - the groundbreaking organization that is making waves Stateside with its revolutionary support for female racing drivers - named established sports car racer Erin Vogel as President. Vogel, previously associated with the organization as one of the represented racing drivers, has therefore joined the management team and will work alongside CEO Pippa Mann to continue Shift Up Now's growth.
“Shift Up Now fits my personal mission statement perfectly,” said Vogel, who has consistently been an active and competent advocate for women in motorsport. “It’s the opportunity I’ve always hoped for to make a real and lasting difference in the fight for gender inclusion and equality of opportunity for women."
"I’m very proud, excited and honored by this opportunity to help grow an organization that is making a difference in the careers of female athletes, and to see those athletes continue to rise to greater and greater success in time.”
Vogel, who currently competes in World Racing League in an all-female trio with fellow Shift Up Now racers, made history in 2021 when she became the first ever woman to win a GT3 competition in SRO globally. While she started her professional racing career in her 30s, Vogel quickly climbed the ranks with dedication and determination, embarking on a journey in GT4 America - where she refined her racecraft and learned the platform - before switching to GT3 machinery in the following season.
She would claim her first, historic victory only three race meetings into the season, before adding two more ProAm podiums which secured her fifth place in the drivers' standings.
Vogel returned to GT World Challenge America in 2022, claiming one more ProAm podium.
A race winner in World Racing League as well, Vogel has shared the top of the rostrum with Loni Unser and Sabré Cook in the GP1 class in 2022.
Since obtaining her racing licence in 2014, Vogel has collected over twenty career podiums as well as one driver’s championship - but her successes go beyond the racetrack.
Vogel graduated from Mount Holyoke College, where she earned Bachelor’s degrees in English and Music. She would also pursue a degree in Interior Design - field where she has worked for world-renowned clients for various design firms.
Erin was then promoted Vice President for her family’s companies, Vogel Properties and Vogel Engineers, where her roles included managing sales, acquisitions, financing and bank relationships. At the same time, her passion for motor racing also meant that Vogel has been involved in the sport in a variety of roles, from volunteering for the Audi Club of Southern California’s HPDE Committee to instructor.
Her new appointment as President of Shift Up Now will allow Vogel to continue her mission of inspiring and supporting fellow female athletes up the racing ladder - with the determination that has always defined her.
“I’m thrilled to have Erin join me as one of the key management team members of Shift Up Now,” said Shift Up Now CEO and Indy500 veteran Pippa Mann. “This was an incredibly important step as we continue to grow, and work towards our goals of being able to provide funding and opportunities for talented female athletes in motorsport."
“We’re so incredibly fortunate to have someone as passionate and accomplished as Erin be part of our management team, and I’m so thankful she accepted the role of President", Mann continued. "Her experience on both the business side and the professional motorsports side will prove to be invaluable. Together, we plan to continue to drive change in our sport, both now and for future generations.”
You can discover Shift Up Now's initiatives and mission here.
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