Car Chix proudly announces Michelle Mankiewicz as an official member of Car Chix. Michelle Mankiewicz competed in the 2016 Women of Motorsports Contest and placed in the top 12; earning her spot as Ms. October in the 2017 Car Chix Calendar (Read: Women of Motorsports Contest launches Full Throttle).
Michelle Mankiewicz is one of the original members of Car Chix; dating back to 2010 when she became the first ever to be named the ‘Woman of Motorsports’ by Car Chix after competing in the very first Car Chix Women of Motorsports Contest back in 2010. She played a leading role in helping transform the ‘Women of Motorsports Contest’ into what it is today.
From the great state of Wisconsin, Michelle is a regular at the legendary Great Lakes Dragaway in Union Grove, Wisconsin. And when we say regular – we are not joking. Michelle probably contributes to the track’s electric bill she is there so much. She competes with her bottle-fed 2006 Suzuki Hayabusa in the weekly Ladies Night program presented every Wednesday, as well as, participates in any and every opportunity to take a stab at the tree during test and tune days. When it’s a beautiful day for racing and she is not at ‘Da Grove’; she most likely is at Byron Dragway located in Byron, Illinois – giving the boys a run for their money in the 2-Wheel Speed program.
“My bike and myself are ever evolving and it keeps the sport new and exciting. Riding and racing are an escape and a release from everything else going on around me” – Michelle Mankiewicz
Michelle’s interest in automotive and mechanic first perked up as a child because of her Father. It wasn’t until later on, in her adult life, that Michelle would become not only actively interested in motorcycles, but racing!
“I got into motorcycle drag racing because I had a friend who had been in the sport for over a decade and he got me into it,” Michelle explained, “After having had been a passenger for so long, I learned how to ride a bike one day, owned my first one less than a month later”
Michelle has also been a big supporter of Car Chix and women in motorsports. She is a great role model and is always one to encourage others to go out there and give it your all – know matter what it is.
“Don’t ever be intimidated or think that you’re outclassed or outmatched. Go out there like you’ve been there a hundred times before, with the utmost confidence and give it all you have. Listen to advice but follow that which comes from those closest to you; your team,” says Michelle
We are so proud to have Michelle as part of #TeamCarChix and look forward to what 2018 brings for her and her crew. Best of luck!
