Empowering Women in Motorsport: DMSB hosts 2024 Girls’ Day

Girls’ Day 2024 was held with great success on April 25, 2024 as part of the DTM season opener at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. Organised by Deutscher Motor Sport Bund (DMSB) in cooperation with Deutsche Motor Sport Jugend (DMSJ), Deutscher Olympischer Sportbund (DOSB), Deutsche Sportjugend (DSJ) and the project “Klischeefrei im Sport”, the event offered ten young girls an insightful behind-the-scene glimpse into the world of motorsport.

Girls’Day is an annual initiative in Germany aimed at encouraging young women to explore professions typically dominated by men.

The event began with a warm welcome from DTM Race Director Sven Stoppe, followed by an insightful presentation by Alexandra Werner on the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben. Toni Rycer, DMSB’s ambassador for track safety sports stewards, accompanied the group throughout the day, providing helpful answers to all questions. Ciska van Huyssteen, assistant of the Race Director, shared her diverse experience from South Africa to Germany, offering insights into race control operations.

Participants had the opportunity to visit the Race Control, the timekeeping team and the podium for the award ceremonies. A highlight was the chance to explore the Paul Motorsport racing team, learn about the team’s activities from Katrin Rycerova and sit in a DTM racing car. They also had a glimpse inside the TV broadcast vans of Studio Berlin, which broadcast the DTM race weekend on television.

DEKRA’s Technical Commissioners presented vehicle inspections, while Stefanie Srenk shared her engaging experiences as a Sports Commissioner.

The event concluded with positive feedback from the girls, many expressing interest in a future in motorsport. As a surprise, all attendees received three DTM spectator tickets for   Oschersleben race weekend.

Girls’Day 2024 proved to be both informative and inspiring for the ten participants, marking a significant step inpromoting women’s participation in motorsport.