First Extreme E driver is revealed
Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) has today revealed the first of its driver duo for Extreme E, confirming that Off road Truck Champion and X Games Medalist Sara Price has been signed for the 2021 season.
As well as being the first confirmed driver in the Extreme E series so far, the signing of Sara Price marks a number of notable firsts for Chip Ganassi Racing. Price also becomes the first-ever female driver, and the first ever driver confirmed for a CGR electric racing venture, in the team’s 30-year history.
Price, a 27-year-old Californian who started her career on dirt bikes at just eight years old, is a 19-time national champion who became the first factory-supported female under Kawasaki in history. Prior to making the switch to four-wheeled racing in 2012, she also medaled in Women's Super X at the 2010 X Games, and holds the record as the winningest female amateur to date. She currently competes in Off road Desert racing in a Trophy Truck, and works as a stunt professional, performing on motorcycles and in vehicles, and as a precision driver for television and film.
Sara Price, Extreme E Driver, Chip Ganassi Racing said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for me and something I’ve been working my whole career for. When you think of the name Chip Ganassi, you immediately think about winning. It’s a team I’ve long admired whether it be in INDYCAR, NASCAR, sports cars or rallycross. Chip’s teams define winning. As a racer, that’s the type of owner you want to race for. He’s a former driver and I’m honored to represent the team while also becoming the first female driver for CGR and Extreme E. The 2021 season seems far away but there is much to be done to get ready in a new form of racing and for the challenges the series presents. It’s a very exciting time not only for myself, but for this championship and the climate and environmental issues it intends to bring attention to.”
Alejandro Agag, Founder and CEO at Extreme E, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Sara Price to Extreme E. As a driver she has already achieved so much and with the support of an incredible team like Chip Ganassi Racing I’m sure she will be a force to be reckoned with behind the wheel.
“This is a great milestone as Extreme E now has its first confirmed driver. Chip Ganassi Racing has certainly set the bar high with Sara and we look forward to welcoming the rest of our competitor field over the coming weeks.”
Mike Hull, Managing Director, Chip Ganassi Racing: “Today’s announcement of Sara Price as a Chip Ganassi Racing driver is significant. Yes, she is a female, but first, Sara is an accomplished race driver.
“She has proven herself in the all-terrain arena on two and four wheels from a young age. Her next step represents her craft globally with several firsts. She makes Chip Ganassi Racing the first to unveil an Extreme E driver; the first female in the series; and, the first female driver in our team’s 30-year history.
“The series promotes a world’s-first gender equality platform. The teams will each have a male driver counterpart who swaps the driving chore in the same race car ‘at the turn’ by driving head-to-head in multiple heat races to get into the final. Our drivers will unselfishly share in support of each other to get it done on-track and off-track.
“Equal teammates have always defined Chip Ganassi Racing’s culture. Extreme E is about innovation through engagement. Its message to preserve the environment and protect the planet will create social awareness. To be a part of what the future holds in partnership is a very positive step. Our entire team is excited to have such a quality person in Sara to help stimulate team growth.”
Extreme E is a radical new off-road racing series, which will see electric SUVs competing in extreme environments around the world which have already been damaged or affected by climate and environmental issues. The five-race global voyage highlights the impact of climate change and human interference in some of the world’s most remote locations and promotes the adoption of electric vehicles to help preserve the environment and protect the planet.
Marking a world first in motor racing, Extreme E will see team’s field both a male and female driver in its races – promoting gender equality and a level playing field amongst competitors. Teams will be composed of a male and a female driver, competing together in every two-lap race as driver and co-driver. Each will complete one lap behind the wheel of the ODYSSEY 21 electric-SUV, with a changeover incorporated into the race format.
Further Extreme E drivers will be revealed in the coming weeks.
